Walter Kautondokwa could be in line for a shock shot at a world title. The Namibian, who is the WBO African champion, is rated number two with the sanctioning body.

Kautondokwa was most recently in action in March when he retained his aforementioned belt by stoppage in Windhoek.

 

But the 33-year-old may yet have his biggest fight to date in the next few weeks, should the Massachusetts commission refuse to licence Billy Joe Saunders.

 

Saunders is set to defend his WBO middleweight title, exclusively live on Sky Sports and DAZN, against former WBO super-welterweight champion Demetrius Andrade on October 20 at the TD Garden in Boston.

 

The Massachusetts State Athletic Commission will hold a meeting on October 8 to decide whether to licence former British, Commonwealth and European champ Saunders.

 

And Andrade’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed to iFL TV that –– should they not licence the 29-year-old, who says it was a “common decongestant nasal spray” which caused the adverse findings –– they will look to fight for a vacant title.

 

“We have signed a contract with Walter Kautondokwa on the basis that, if Billy Joe is not licensed, Andrade will fight him for the title,” he said.

 

Saunders failed a drug test for the banned substance oxilofrine, a stimulant, back in August in Sheffield. The test was conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, which was contracted to oversee drug testing for the clash.

 

And it rests on the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission’s decision as to whether Saunders will be stripped of the crown by the WBO.

 

The World Boxing Organisation has said that, if Saunders isn’t licensed by Massachusetts, it will strip the Hatfield ace of his title.

 

“I would say it’s 50-50 [whether the fight goes ahead],” Hearn continued. “I want the fight to happen, so does Andrade, but it’s got to be dealt with by the Commission.”