UNDISPUTED boxing world champion Josh Taylor will not defend his WBA Super Lightweight title.

The world governing body had ordered Taylor to make a mandatory defence against unbeaten Alberto Puello.

That will not now happen with the WBA claiming they have stripped Taylor of the title while the East Lothian fighter claims to have vacated the belt.

A statement from the WBA reads: “The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee, in accordance with the organisation’s rules, has decided that the Super Lightweight title, which was held by the Scottish Josh Taylor, is vacant.”

However, Taylor, of Prestonpans, said on social media: “I vacated the belt – it wasn’t stripped.”

Puello is undefeated in his 20 bouts, with half of his victories coming by knockout.

Thirty-one-year-old Taylor was crowned WBA champion when he defeated Regis Prograis in the final of the World Boxing Super Series in October 2019.

At that time, Taylor held the IBF Super Lightweight title after defeating Ivan Baranchyk in Glasgow earlier that year.

Taylor, who still holds the IBF, WBC and WBO belts, defended all four titles for the first time against Jack Catterall in Glasgow at the end of February.

The bout went to a controversial split decision in Taylor’s favour.

He has since announced his intention to step up a weight division, with the possibility of fighting pound-for-pound greats Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford.