The President of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Mauricio Suleiman criticized the position and actions of his colleague, the head of the World Boxing Association (WBA) Gilberto Mendoza.
The fact is that at the beginning of this year, a meeting of all four presidents of the prestigious sanctioning organizations took place, at which a joint decision was made to approve a clear schedule of mandatory defenses for the unified and absolute champions in order to avoid confusion and disagreements. However, the WBA, as always, went its own way, contrary to agreements and common sense.
As we reported earlier, Josh Taylor parted ways with the title of undisputed super lightweight champion, as the WBA demanded an immediate mandatory defense in its line. In other words, climbed out of turn.
“At the meeting of the presidents at the beginning of the year, we also agreed on the obligations of (undisputed champion) Josh Taylor,” says Suleiman. “We agreed that he would defend the WBO title against Jack Catterall, after which the winner would fight WBC contender José Cepeda, and then the winner would defend the IBF.”
“Taylor held the defense of the WBO, then the turn of the defense of the WBC. However, the WBA reneged on the deal and ordered Taylor to fight another fighter in a bidding process with just one promoter and a ridiculous $200,000 prize pool, Mauricio rages. – Taylor, who has already earned millions of dollars, is forced to fight for 120 thousand. As a result, last Saturday Josh relinquished the title of this organization, and there is no longer an undisputed champion in the super lightweight division. A real shame for Taylor, the fans, and boxing in general.”
“The same thing the WBA did in super flyweight,” the WBC president continues. “They knew that the WBC had appointed a third fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez, and the negotiation process was already coming to a successful conclusion. But they again ordered Estrada to fight another opponent for the prize fund … 120 thousand dollars! Instead of having a mega fight with Gonzalez for a hefty reward.”
“The days of respect and reciprocity for the late Gilberto Mendoza Sr. are long gone. And I am very sad to experience these difficulties and disrespect, which only harm our sport, ”added Suleiman.