Linares and Abdullaev will clash in Ekaterinburg

The three-time champion Jorge Linares (47-6, 29KOs) will face Russian Zaur Abdullaev (14-1, 8KOs) on February 22 in Yekaterinburg in a match for the World Boxing Council Lightweight Silver title, which will also be eliminatory, at the RCC Boxing Academy, in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

The winner between Linares and Abdullaev will be in an excellent position to face champion Devin Haney, who is expected to face Australian George Kambosos soon, in a fight for all 135-pound crowns.

Linares, who was a featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight champion, is ranked sixth in the WBC and Abdullaev fourth. The 36-year-old Venezuelan has recently lost an entertaining fight against Devin Haney. For his part, Abdullaev defeated former Montenegrin champion Dejan Zlaticanin by decision in his last fight.