The 60th WBC convention continues in Acapulco (Mexico). During the event, it was decided to remove boxers from the Russian Federation and Belarus from the rating.
Yesterday the rating committee took the floor. They talked not only about the challenger for Canelo and the “special approach” to Charlo, but also about what awaits the champions Rivas and Macab.
And here is a brief report on other weight categories.
Second featherweight (up to 59 kg)
Current champion: will be determined in early 2023 in a showdown between under-division belt holder Ray Vargas (Mexico) and mandatory challenger O’Shaky Foster (USA).
Mandatory protection: the winner must immediately fight with Eduardo Hernandez (Mexico).
Featherweight (up to 57.2 kg)
Current champion: Vargas after the fight with Foster within 10 days must decide in which division he wants to continue his career.
Mandatory protection: meanwhile, unified super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton (USA) will fight for the vacant interim featherweight title in a rematch with Brandon Figueroa (USA).
Second bantamweight (up to 55.3 kg)
Current champion: Fulton.
Mandatory protection: in the final eliminator, Luis Neri (Mexico) and Azat Hovhannisyan (Armenia) will compete for the mandatory challenger status.
Bantamweight (up to 53.5 kg)
Current champion: Naoya Inoue (Japan) December 13 in a duel with Paul Butler (Great Britain) will determine the absolute champion of the division. Inoue has previously stated that the upcoming fight is his last in the division, after which he will rise above.
Mandatory protection: as soon as Inoue announced the move to 55.3 kg, the organization will sanction a fight for the vacant belt between Jason Moloney (Australia) and Nonito Donaire (Philippines).
Interestingly, the fighters even managed to have a duel of views – both were present at the convention.
Second flyweight (up to 52.2 kg)
Current champion: will be determined on December 3 in a duel between Juan Francisco Estrada (Mexico) and Roman Gonzalez (Nicaragua).
Mandatory protection: meanwhile, Pedro Guevara (Mexico) and Andrew Moloney (Australia) will determine the mandatory challenger.
Flyweight (up to 50.8 kg)
Current champion: Julio Cesar Martinez (Mexico) was due to box Dec. 3 with mandatory challenger McWilliams Arroyo (Puerto Rico), but he was injured.
Mandatory protection: given that the fight has been rescheduled for the 6th time, Martinez will make an additional defense against Angel Ayala (Mexico), who will replace the injured Arroyo.
Flyweight (up to 49 kg)
Current champion: Ken Shiro (Japan).
Mandatory protection: should immediately take on mandatory challenger Hecky Badler (South Africa).
Minimum weight (up to 47.6 kg)
Current champion: Panya Pradabsri (Thailand).
Mandatory protection: Ayanda Dulany (South Africa) and Luis Castillo (Mexico) in the final eliminator will determine the mandatory challenger for the champion.
