By Igor Lazorin, tass

As reported last week, WBC cruiserweight champion Grigory Drozd of Russia is seriously injured and unable to make a mandatory defense of his title against Ilunga Makabu. The fight was scheduled for April 8 in Moscow.

"I will not let him go forward with the fight against Makabu, because his left hand [is injured]," said promoter Andrei Ryabinsky when the injury was announced.

"The fight with Makabu will be postponed, and I think it won't happen for quite a long time because the injury to Grigory is serious. Everything will depend on how serious the damage."

Russia’s Drozd, 40-1, is unbeaten in 15 fights spanning 10 years. The charismatic 36-year-old captured his belt in September 2014 with a wide decision win over then 49-2 Krysztof Wlodarczyk. The upcoming fight was going to be the second defense of his world title.

"Surgery is not necessary. I was lucky in the sense that there is not a complete teary of the muscles. All in all, a month and a half of rest will be required. I will still continue to jog," Drozd said.