PENSACOLA, Fla. – Undefeated NABF light heavyweight champion Ismayl “The Black Russian” Sillakh, (17-0, 14 KOs), the World Boxing Council’s No.2 contender, has just been notified that he now stands by himself among the top three.

Former WBC champion Jean Pascal was ordered to fight a “final eliminator” with Sillakh

at the WBC convention and his promoter Yvon Michel accepted the order and personally

told Sillakh that they would fight.  The winner would become the “mandatory challenger” for the winner of the Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson rematch.

“I thought that the negotiations for the fight were going good.  Yvon told me that they were going to do it and Showtime was interested.  But I got a call on Wednesday from Yvon that Pascal has decided not to fight Sillakh, basically that Sillakh was just too young and too dangerous,” said Square Ring’s CEO John Wirt.  “That’s the second time that Pascal has pulled out of agreed to elimination bouts.

“Don’t forget that other contenders who had agreed also pulled out when it was a four-contender tournament,” Wirt continued.  “Also refusing to fight Sillakh were Zsolt Erdei and Chris Henry.  We think we have the greatest light heavyweight on the planet, and they must think so too because they all keep refusing to fight him.”

The 27-year old Sillakh, who now makes his home Southern California, was born in the Ukraine.  The rangy boxer-puncher just wants to fight for the title.

“I don’t care who they put in front of me,” Sillakh exclaimed.  “I’m starting to feel a little lonely here.  I know my promoters asked for a purse bid, but Pascal pulled out rather than face me.  I hope the WBC will consider naming me the mandatory because all of the other contenders abandoned their opportunity.”