LOS ANGELES (AP) — Peter Quillin has vacated his WBO middleweight title, turning down a career-high payday to fight mandatory challenger Matt Korobov.
Quillin announced his decision Thursday through Golden Boy Promotions.
The WBO imposed a deadline on Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs) to agree to the title defense. Instead, he chose to pass on more than $1.4 million, his share of a purse bid by Roc Nation Sports for a fight with Korobov (24-0, 14 KOs).
Roc Nation Sports is the sports management division of hip-hop mogul Jay Z’s entertainment company. Quillin’s fight would have been its first boxing event.
Quillin has defended his title three times. He is advised by Al Haymon, the architect of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s career.
Korobov, a former Russian Olympian, will get a shot at the vacant WBO title.
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