By Alexey Sukachev

Moscow, Russia - The heavyweight match-up for a vacant WBC international title ended in disaster late into the third round when undefeated prospect Sergey Kuzmin (11-0-1, 8 KOs) and seasoned veteran Amir Mansour (23-2-2, 16 KOs) collided head-to-head, producing mutual cuts - one over the forehead of Kuzmin, and another one - over Mansour's right eyebrow.

After examining both cuts, ringside physician Vladimir Kurdhev ruled it off almost immediately.

The time of the halt was 2:45. The result was announced as a technical draw thus leaving the title vacant.

Kuzmin was hoping to use this fight to springboard his way to a bigger opportunity that would assist him in becoming a mandatory challenger by the end of 2018.

The current champions are Deontey Wilder of the WBC, Joseph Parker for the WBO, and Anthony Joshua holds the WBA, IBF and IBO.

Kuzmin believes the division is still very much wide open without a true leader out there.

"You can talk about the current world champions: Joshua, Wilder, Parker," Kuzmin told reporters when asked about the strongest heavyweights.

"I do not see a clear leader in the heavyweight division. Some like a Mike Tyson, I have not seen it yet. The difference between, that depends on which champion I will go against. When there will be an opportunity, the the goal for me is to become a mandatory challenger first, and then a champion."

"For next year we devised a plan to become a mandatory challenger, and everything depends on the organizations and not just my desire to box for the title."

Initially, the Russian boxer was scheduled to fight former WBA "regular" champion Lucas Browne, who went in another direction. Browne has been targeted by Parker as a potential backup opponent - if the New Zealand star is unable to close the deal for a unification with IBF, WBA, IBO champion Anthony Joshua in the first quarter of next year.