Talks are now underway for the biggest challenge of the Brit’s career

Unified lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko has to defend his belts against British mandatory challenger Anthony Crolla next.

The WBA and WBO titleholder was granted an exception which would have allowed him to unify with newly crowned IBF king Richard Commey on April 12, however the Ghanaian has suffered a hand injury.

(Photo Credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank) 2 Vasyl Lomachenko owns two of the four lightweight world titles and wanted to pick up another

This means that WBA mandatory Crolla now returns to the fray, with promoter Eddie Hearn confirming on social media that he is next in line.

It’s being widely reported that talks have begun to try and make the fight for April 12 at the Staples Center in LA – the date already pencilled in for Lomachenko’s return.

If a deal cannot be made, a purse bid is scheduled for Wednesday February 13 to ensure the contest takes place.

Getty 2 Anthony Crolla defeated Daud Yordan to become Loma’s mandatory on November 10

Anthony Crolla previously held the WBA lightweight title before losing twice to Jorge Linares in 2016 and 2017.

Vasyl Lomachenko stopped Linares in a 2018 thriller, during which time Crolla earned the chance for to win back his old belt with a final eliminator win over Daud Yordan.