Egidijus Kavaliauskas claimed the European welterweight title with a razor-thin 12-round split decision over defending champion Samuel Molina in Kaunas, Lithuania, on November 28.

The former world title challenger had until today to broker a deal with his official challenger Anas Messaudi.

Instead, Kavaliauskas (25-3-1, 19 KOs) decided to vacate the title and will presumably go in search of a big fight on the world stage.

The EBU acted quickly and mandated that Messaudi (17-0-1, 11 KOs) and Molina (32-4-1, 15 KOs) meet in a rematch for the vacant title having fought to a draw previously on August 2.

The two sides have until January 28 to make an agreement, or the fight will go to a purse bid.

Messaudi fought internationally as an amateur, notably taking part in the World Series of Boxing before turning professional in November 2017.

The 32-year-old has since won the Belgium national title and then an IBF regional title by beating Miguel Parra (MD 10) in March 2023 in Anderlecht, Belgium. He won two more fights before the Molina fight.

Meanwhile, Molina has been a professional since August 2017 and has won Spanish national titles at 135, 140 and 147.

He unsuccessful challenged for the European 140-pound title against Franck Petitjean (MD 12) in Paris, in June 2023.

The Spaniard rebounded strongly with a career-best win when edged Jordy Weiss (MD 12) to win the European welterweight title in October 2024 in Laval, France. He made two defenses before losing to Kavaliauskas.