The WBC canceled its order for a light heavyweight final eliminator between British contenders Joshua Buatsi and Ben Whittaker just a week after announcing it.

In the wake of Whittaker’s one-round blitz of Benjamin Gavazi on November 29, the WBC decided to move him to third in its 175-pound rankings and called for him to face the second-ranked Buatsi (20-1, 13 KOs). Former WBC champ Artur Beterbiev is its No. 1 contender.

The Buatsi-Whittaker order, made at its convention in Bangkok, Thailand last week, stated that the winner of the fight would then be first in line for a shot at champion David Benavidez, who successfully defended his title against Anthony Yarde on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The WBC cited its decision was due to silver championship obligations for Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 KOs). The 28-year-old Whittaker won the vacant silver title by virtue of his 135-second victory over Gavazi in Birmingham and he now looks set to defend it next.

The decision to cancel a final elimination bout due to silver title obligations has left some fans scratching their heads, given that most boxers fight for the silver title in order to earn a final eliminator in the first place.

Regardless, immediately after the fight between Whittaker and Buatsi was ordered, Whittaker’s new promoter, Eddie Hearn, told The Ring that they were not planning on advancing with it anyway.

Instead, Whittaker’s new contract with Matchroom states that his next fight will take place overseas, with a February debut in the U.S. planned. Whittaker would then return home to the UK for another headliner in the summer.

The next move for Buatsi, meanwhile, is not as clear. He claimed a controversial majority decision against Zach Parker last month after 10 rounds at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

In the aftermath of that fight, an enraged Parker, who insisted he was “robbed,” submitted a request to the WBA for an immediate rematch with Buatsi, but it was denied. A rematch is possible, but Buatsi may look at alternatives, too.