WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS
July 14, 2008 – Mexico City.
From WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
Submitted By: JP Brister
Regarding the WBC interim super featherweight world championship fight between Humberto Soto and Francisco Lorenzo, the WBC Board of Governors has voted for the following:
1. The World Boxing Council officially confirms its decision of NO CONTEST, which was rendered at ringside on June 28.
2. Soto and Lorenzo must fight again, after the time that Lorenzo’s medical suspension by the Nevada Boxing Commission’s medical board has ended on December 26, 2008, with an updated thorough medical examination of Lorenzo, and the commission’s approval for him to fight.
3. Due to the length of Lorenzo’s medical suspension, Soto will be approved to fight for the title if that fight is before the end of October, which is about 60 days before the end of Lorenzo’s suspension.
4. In spite of our friendly relationship with Lorenzo, the WBC is imposing on him a fine of $2,000 (U.S.) for his unsportsmanlike actions in the ring which were successful in influencing the referee’s decision.
The WBC will not allow this type of behavior to become an example for losing boxers who try to win on unethical and false pretenses. The $2,000 fine will be donated to a children’s hospital in the Dominican Republic, the home of Lorenzo, with the donation handled directly and personally by the Dominican Boxing Federation on behalf of the WBC.
5. The present double WBC world champion at lightweight and super featherweight, Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, must announce by July 28 which title he has decided to keep. If he decides to relinquish the lightweight division title and keep the super featherweight title, Soto must fight Pacquiao for the WBC super featherweight world title, with Lorenzo fighting the winner.
The WBC Board of Governors believes that its ruling, expressed above, is the least controversial possible. This is the official decision rendered by a majority vote of the Board of Governors, to which I am fully committed as President.
I would like to have the liberty of expressing my personal feelings, as well as my feelings as WBC president, that Humberto Soto has been the victim of one of the most unfair decisions that I have seen in my 57 years as a boxing commissioner, which have been devoted to a life-long struggle for justice. The world saw his tremendous performance against Lorenzo for the entire fight.
However, I respect the WBC Board of Governors’ ruling, done in the spirit of justice, for the least controversial and best solution of this matter.
I would like to finish by expressing my deepest pride and honor to be a part of the exemplary, perservering and passionate group of people integrated in the WBC, who are totally dedicated to the sport that they love without receiving any compensation.
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July 11, 2008 – Mexico City.
From WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
Chad Dawson contacted the WBC to inform that he will not fight Adrian Diaconu for the undisputed light heavyweight championship and therefore is relinquishing the title, even though representatives of both fighters had participated in a purse offer that was won by the Romanian promotor Gangkor Promotions.
The WBC feels very disillusioned with Dawson’s decision, as he was going to make the highest purse of his career against Diaconu. The WBC has always supported Dawson since he won the WBC Continental Americas title in 2003. He later asked for the permission of the organization not to fight Adrian Diaconu in a final elimination bout, but to be allowed to directly fight Tomasz Adamek for the title in a voluntary defense, which the WBC accepted and Dawson became WBC champion of the world in 2007. The WBC once again supported Dawson in allowing him to make a voluntary defense against Glen Johnson, for which Dawson signed a letter agreeing to fight Diaconu next.
It happens that he found the way not to fight Diaconu again.
Apparently the reason that Dawson did not comply with the WBC Rules is because of a commitment that he has with a television network, which it seems is interfering with the rights and infrastructure of the WBC, which must be addressed in the near future.
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YORGEY WINS!!!
Harry Joe Yorgey was declared the winner on Friday, June 13, 2008, in his arbitration case over his manager James E. Deoria. Both parties were in a dispute over the boxer-manager contract that was signed between them on February 9, 2006. At the age of 30, Harry is a five-year pro. A veteran boxer at 154 pounds, he is a very popular performer in his home area in Pennsylvania. He has an impressive ring record of 20 wins, no loses and 1 draw, with 9 wins coming by knockout. Make that 10 knockouts with his latest victory.
In a decision by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission on the 13th of June, the commission ruled that Harry Joe Yorgey “may take part in any contest or exhibition or otherwise exercise his talent without the approval of Manager Deoria, as long as Deoria receives 15% of the fighter’s purses, instead of the original Boxer/Manager contract of 40%”.
Yorgey can now participate in boxing matches without the approval of Deoria, who had previously contested any bouts that were presented to Yorgey by his new promoter Arthur Pelullo of Banner Promotions.
Harry Joe Yorgey was previously scheduled to fight on March 7th, 2008 at the Foxwoods Casino on the ESPN Network in the televised co-feature versus Jason LeHoullier for the vacant NABA Super Welterweight title. Deoria blocked that bout from taking place with the legal battle that he started against Harry Joe Yorgey.
With the decision from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, it has cleared the way for Yorgey to continue his career and challenge Jason LeHoullier for the title in the co-feature of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on August 22nd, 2008 at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tennessee, a fight that should have happened five months ago will now finally happen.
You may review the entire Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission report on the Banner Promotions webpage at: www.banner-promotions.com. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS
June 20, 2008 – Mexico City.
From the office of WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
WBC STATISTICS
WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship
FedEx Forum - Memphis, Tennessee
June 21, 2008
This will be 1,672nd sanctioned fight in the 46-year history of the WBC.
ANDRE BERTO (US) vs. MIGUEL “Miki” RODRIGUEZ (MEXICO)
ANDRE BERTO
Ranked WBC No. 1 at 147 pounds (66.81 kg)
Age: 24
Date of birth: September 7, 1983
Residence: Winter Haven, Florida
Place of birth: Miami, Florida
Professional record: 21-0, 18 KOs
Guard: Orthodox
Knockout percentage: 85 %
Total rounds: 80
WBC affiliated titles held: North American Boxing Federation welterweight
Promoter: Lou DiBella
MIGUEL “Miki” RODRIGUEZ (MEXICO)
Ranked WBC No. 2 at 147 pounds (66.81 kg)
Age: 29
Date of birth: September 16, 1978
Residence: Toluca, Mexico
Place of birth: Mexico City, Mexico
Professional record: 29-2, 23 KOs
Guard: Orthodox
Knockout percentage: 79 %
Total rounds: 127
WBC affiliated titles held: Continental Americas welterweight
Promoter: Don King
WBC WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS:
1. Luis Manuel Rodriguez (Cuba)
2. Emile Griffith (Virgin Island)
3. Curtis Cokes (US)
4. Jose Napoles (Mexico)
5. Billy Backus (US)
6. Jose Napoles (Mexico) *
7. John Stracey (GB)
8. Carlos Palomino (Mexico)
9. Wilfredo Benitez (P. Rico)
10. Ray Leonard (US)
11. Roberto Duran (Panama)
12. Ray Leonard (US) *
13. Milton Mccrory (US)
14. Don Curry (US)
15. Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica-GB)
16. Jorge Vaca (Mexico)
17. Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica-GB) *
18. Marlon Starling (US)
19. Maurice Blocker (US)
20. Simon Brown (Jamaica-US)
21. James McGirt (US)
22. Pernell Whitaker (US)
23. Oscar De La Hoya (US)
24. Felix Trinidad (P. Rico)
25. Oscar De La Hoya (US) *
26. Shane Mosley (US)
27. Vernon Forrest (US)
28. Ricardo Mayorga (Nicaragua)
29. Cory Spinks (US)
30. Zab Judah (US)
31. Carlos Baldomir (Argentina)
32. Floyd Mayweather (US)
33. Shane Mosley (US) Interim *
* Regained
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC:
28 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of which only four have regained their title: Jose Napoles (Cuba-Mex); Ray Leonard (US); Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica-GB); Oscar De La Hoya (US-Mex); Shane Mosley (US).
108 welterweight world championship fights have been held in the history of the WBC, 82 of which have taken place in the United States.
WORLD WELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUTS BY COUNTRY IN WBC HISTORY:
US: 82
Mexico: 8
England: 8
Puerto Rico: 2
France: 2
Canada: 2
St. Maarten Island: 1
Spain: 1
Monaco: 1
Italy: 1
TOTAL: 108
WBC TITLE BOUTS HAVE BEEN HELD IN TENNESSEE:
Five bouts have been held in Tennessee in WBC history. Three title fights in the middleweight division have been held in Tennessee in WBC history.
BREAKDOWN BY DIVISION:
Middle: 3
Heavy: 1
Super welter: 1
TOTAL: 5
**WBC Statistics by Luis Medina.
Correction for WBC News - June 18, 2008: Oleydong Sithsanerchai was ahead on the scorecards, not behind, after the eighth round of his strawweight world title defense against Junichi Ebisuoka on June 18 in Phuket, Thailand.
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June 18, 2008 – Mexico City.
From WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
“The WBC is extremely happy that our two newest rules - open scoring after the fourth and eighth rounds and the use of instant replay - have been used in the last few days and gotten a great response.
“Juanito Rubillar of the Philippines was behind on all three scorecards when the official scores were announced after the eighth round.
“His closing performance in the last four rounds earned him a split decision against Omar Niño of Mexico in a light flyweight final elimination bout.
“This also proves that the neutrality of ring officials is a must in world events, regardless of where the fight takes place.
“Oleydong Sithsanerchai defended the strawweight world title in Phuket, Thailand, against Junichi Ebisuoka of Japan.
“When the official scores were announced after the eighth round, Oleydong was behind by six and eight points on all three scorecards and contrary to the belief that the fight would get boring, Oleydong came out and knocked out his opponent in the ninth round.
“The instant replay rule, utilizing television replays, was used in the NABF title fight between Adrian Hernandez and Eric Ortiz and proved that a head butt caused a cut in the fifth round. It was originally ruled that the cut, which stopped the fight, was caused by a punch because the referee’s vision was obstructed at the time. The result was ruled a techincal draw and justice prevailed.
“The WBC would like to publicly congratulate those boxing federations and boxing commissions from all over the world that are working together, side by side, to make boxing better, safer, more fair, and more exciting.”
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June 5, 2008 – Mexico City. From WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
“The family of Jimmy Garcia received yesterday the money from the life insurance policy of the WBC, which was finally paid to Jimmy’s young daughter. This insurance could not be paid to the girl until the time that she reached the legal age of 18.
“On May 6, 1995, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jimmy Garcia, after having serious problems during the weigh-in, fought and lost to Gabriel Ruelas. He was taken to the hospital and passed away on May 19.
“The WBC had a life insurance for over $200,000 and I, as WBC President, had to travel to Barranquilla, Colombia, to settle between Jimmy’s mother, his wife and two daughters, and one other son who was one year old. Finally, an acceptable and honest division of the money was agreed to, but the money could only be paid when the children reached the legal age.
“There is one payment of the insurance money that is still pending until the boy reaches the legal age.
“The WBC is very proud of this life and hospitalization insurance, which covers not only the boxers in WBC world championship fights, but every boxer on a WBC world championship fight card. This rule was implemented in 1977 at the WBC’s annual convention in Madrid, Spain, and has run uninterrupted for 31 consecutive years. It has helped many boxers, even when the WBC has not publicized it.
“No WBC fight in the world takes place without the WBC’s required life and hospitalization insurance, and nobody except the WBC requires life and hospitalization policies for the boxers on their events.
“I am so happy that this little girl, who I met when she was about five years old, was able to have some assistance after such a terrible tragedy.”
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Banner Presents “Free for All" a Night of Combat!
Vegas First Combined Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Show
Alonzo Butler vs Friday Ahunanya
Headlines Fight Card June 20th
Live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights
Four MMA Bouts Also Scheduled
Tickets are Free to the Public!
Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions will present a sensational event – Las Vegas’ first combined professional boxing and mixed martial arts show - on Friday, June 20, 2008, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The boxing main event and co-featured bout will be televised live on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights.”
Daren Libonati of the Thomas & Mack Center said, “Our special event teams have had the pleasure over 25 years to have hosted and promoted thousands of great events. But I must say the level of enthusiasm for this one night of duel combat Boxing and MMA is off the page. Our team and community partners have come together to create a one-of-a-kind special event night, for free.
“Times are tough and people need an opportunity and excuse to get out and be a part of great experiences. We anticipate giving them one on June 20, with our “Free For All, Night of Combat.”
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Alonzo “Big Zo” Butler, 26-0-1 with 19 knockouts, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, will fight seasoned veteran Friday “The 13th” Ahunanya, 23-5-3 with 13 knockouts, of Las Vegas, in the main event scheduled for 10 rounds.
Butler is returning to the ring for the first time in 13 months. He said, “I’m back. I’ve been in the gym for months and I’m not even rusty. I heard Friday’s a good fighter. I respect every fighter. It will be a good test for me.”
Ahunanya is coming off an impressive twelfth-round TKO win against previously undefeated New Zealand prospect Shane Cameron - 19-0 at the time - in his last fight in November, 2007, and is 3-0-1 in his last four fights.
The co-featured bout and four more boxing bouts, to be announced, are scheduled to complete to card. All bouts are subject to change without notice.
When “Friday Night Fights” goes off the air, the MMA stars hit the ring. Four bouts are scheduled.
In the main event, MMA veterans “The Natural” John Alessio (22-11) and “The Secret Weapon” Pete Spratt (18-12) will mix it up at 170 pounds. These two have fought all over the globe and are the definition of the term, “Mixed Martial Artist.”
In the evening’s co-featured bout, it is the battle of the Kims, as Kim “Sugar Free” Couture and Kim “The Little Pitbull” Rose make their pro debuts. Both women are undefeated as amateurs and like to stand and trade shots. As the wife of MMA legend Randy Couture, Kim’s two previous amateur fights have garnered great attention from fans around the world.
Former teammates face off when Xtreme Couture’s Dennis Davis takes on Team Quest’s Dave Jansen in a bout set at a catch-weight of 150 pounds. Both men are tremendous wrestlers who fight a fast paced, explosive style.
New Zealand striking phenom Brice Ritani-Coe makes his MMA debut at super heavyweight. Brice was supposed to represent New Zealand as a boxer in the Beijing Olympics this summer but an injury late last year cost him his spot. Now he lives in Las Vegas and has his eyes set on MMA gold. The next Hawaiian MMA sensation, Kui Gonzalves-Kanoho, debuts at 145 pounds.
Tickets are free to the public, and are available at UNLVtickets.com. Doors open at 5:00 P.M. First bout at 5:30 P.M. with former UNLV boxing team sensation Henry Namauu in a four-round cruiserweight bout. First televised bout at 6:00 P.M.
For media credentials, contact: Dawn Sousa – 702-895-1117 (phone), 702-895-1814 (fax), dawn.sousa@unlv.edu. (email).
Contacts: Banner Promotions: 215-670-2220, info@banner-promotions.com. Fred Sternburg: 303-548-0707, toofred@aol.com. Sean O’Heir: 702-616-1022, sean@xtremecouture.tv.
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May 12, 2008 – Mexico City.
From WBC President Jose Sulaiman: Submitted: JP. Brister
“The World Boxing Council would like to congratulate Timothy Bradley for winning the WBC super lightweight world championship and the green and gold belt with a close but clear split decision in a very good fight against Junior Witter, who lost the title with honor and dignity. The event was promoted in England by the prestigious and always improving Mick Hennessy.
“Junior Witter will continue to be highly rated by the WBC, as he was a great champion and deserves other opportunities, while Timothy Bradley showed that his undefeated record and his class as a fighter were highly deserving of the opportunity.
“The neutral judges were Omar Mintun, México, 115-113, Bradley; Daniel Van de Wiel, Belgium, 114-113 , Bradley ; and Franco Ciminale, Italy, 112-115, Witter. The decision showed the merit and impartiality of neutral judges in a system that is respected and practiced in every country of the 164 affiliated with the WBC except the United States.
“I remember how disappointed and frustrated Timothy Bradley was after the cancellation of his WBC final elimination bout against Jose Luis Castillo on a medical ruling, but that day he won his official challenger position to fight the great champion Junior Witter.
“It was funny to listen to the Showtime commentators saying that Bradley had no reason to be the official challenger when, to them, he was not rated in the top 10, which was not the first time that this has happened. They are the experts in commentating on TV, but the WBC is the expert in ratings by having a worldwide committee formed of historians and statistical experts with integrity and love for the sport.
“Timothy Bradley proved once again the importantance of the WBC professional Youth Championship. He is a former WBC Youth champion, as is Samuel Peter, Jorge Arce, Juan Diaz, Sithsamuochai Oleydong, and Krystof Wlodarsky.”
DAVID HAYE RELINQUISHES WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
David Haye, the undefeated sensation of the cruiserweight division, has communicated to the WBC his plans for his future in boxing in a beautiful letter written to the WBC President Jose Sulaiman.
David Haye has relinquished his WBC cruiserweight championship and is requesting the WBC to rate him in the heavyweight division, hoping that his second dream, to win the WBC green and gold heavyweight championship, becomes true in the near future.
The WBC wishes David Haye the best of luck in the heavyweight division and confirms complete support to him as well.
The WBC vacant cruiserweight title will be contested between Rudolf Kraj and Giacobbe Fragomeni.
WBC HOMAGE TO CHINESE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The WBC, representing 164 countries of the world, joins the world in mourning for the horrible tragedy of one of the worst earthquakes in the last 100 years which has killed so many people in China.
The WBC will offer a special homage to all those suffering families during the opening ceremony of our Annual Convention on November 2 in Chengdu, China.
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Submitted: JP. Brister
April 28, 2008 – Mexico City.
To: MR. CARL FROCH
Dear champion:
The WBC Board of Governors has reviewed the situation concerning your case and the two unfortunate cancellations of the final elimination fights that were scheduled to determine the mandatory contender of the super middleweight division of the WBC.
The WBC has voted unanimously to appoint you as mandatory contender of the division.
We would like to wish you the best of luck and once again congratulate you for your exemplary loyalty to the World Boxing Council.
Sincere regards,
Jose Sulaiman Ch.
c.c.Hennessy Sports, WBC Board of Governors, British Boxing Board of Control, Frank Warren _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
April 23, 2008 – Mexico City.
From the office of WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
Submitted By: JP. Brister
THE WBC DEEPLY SUPPORTS VITALI KLITSCHKO IN HIS CAMPAIGN TO BECOME MAYOR OF KIEV
It was not a surprise for WBC President Jose Sulaiman to see that the WBC Emeritus Champion, WBC World Ambassador for Peace and Good Will, and former WBC heavyweight world champion Vitali Klitschko would run for election to become Mayor of Kiev.
President Sulaiman said, “The World Boxing Council respects the freedom of the people of Kiev to elect their mayor, and is very happy and confident that Vitali Klitschko will get the majority of the votes to become a mayor that will be dedicated, with the frame of mind as a champion, organized, charismatic, and a gentleman that comes from the people and will rule for the people.
“The people of Kiev will not vote for a military officer, a doctor, or a boxer, but the people of Kiev will vote for one who gave belief that he will be the best to lead Kiev to the highest accomplishments.
“As a boxer Vitali Klitschko has the dedication, the temperament, the image, the charisma, and the decisive hard working temperament to become a champion, which are exactly the same qualifications to become the Mayor of Kiev.
“As a citizen, Vitali comes from the people; he knows the people, and the people were his passionate followers to take him to the top of the hills, which is the reason why Vitali has the basis to run as a Mayor for the people.
“As a businessman, Vitali has administered in excellence his business of promotion in boxing to be without a doubt one of the very best in the world, and has the financial basis to know exactly what Kiev needs to be accomplished.
“And in synthesis, Vitali Klitschko has all the matters of importance that a citizen expects a Mayor of Kiev to accomplish in regards to perceiving high goals to achieve, to know and rule for the people, to have the capacity, the experience to be a Mayor, and the charisma and gentlemanlike manner that opens the doors with empathy for the people of Kiev and all parts of the world.
“Vitali Klitschko has been one of the greatest all-around champions that the WBC has had, which is the reason why we elected him as Emeritus Champion and a World Ambassador for Peace and Good Will.
“I am sure that Vitali Klitschko is the best option to rule the beautiful and great City of Kiev and that the citizens will vote to elect him.” ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
April 11, 2008 – Mexico City. From the office of WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
WBC STATISTICS
WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida April 12, 2008 This will be the 1,655th championship fight in the 45-year history of the WBC.
CHAD DAWSON (USA) WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Age: 25 Date of Birth: July 13, 1982 Place of Birth: Hartsville, South Carolina Resides: New Haven, Connecticut Nickname: “Bad’”Professional Record: 25-0, 17 KOsGuard: Southpaw Total Rounds: 135Title Fights: 3 (3-0, 2 KOs) Manager: Mike Criscio Trainer: Eddie Mustafa MuhammadPromoter: Gary Shaw Promotions
GLEN JOHNSON (USA) WBC No. 6 Ranked ContenderAge: 39 Date of Birth: January 2, 1969 Place of Birth: Clarendon, JamaicaResides: Miami, Florida Nickname: “Road Warrior” Professional Record: 47-11-2, 32 KOsGuard: Orthodox Total Rounds: 376 Title Fights: 6 (2-3-1, 1 KO) Manager: Henry FosterTrainer: Orlando Cuellar Promoter: Warriors
WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS: 1. Harold Johnson (US)2. Willie Pastrano (US)3. Jose Torres (P. Rico)4. Dick Tiger (Nigeria)5. Bob Foster (US)6. John Conteh (GB)7. Miguel Angel Cuello (Arg)8. Mate Parlov (Yugoslavia)9. Marvin Johnson (US)10. Matthew Saad Muhammad (US)11. Dwight Muhammad Qawi (US)12. Michael Spinks (US)13. J.B. Williamson (US)14. Dennis Andries (GB)15. Thomas Hearns (US)16. Don Lalonde (Can)17. Ray Leonard (US)18. Dennis Andries (GB) *19. Jeff Harding (Australia)20. Dennis Andries (GB) *21. Jeff Harding (Australia) *22. Mike Mccallum (Jamaica)23. Fabrice Tiozzo (Fra)24. Roy Jones (US)25. Montell Griffin (US)26. Graziano Rocchigiani (Germany) (Interim)27. Roy Jones (US) *28. Antonio Tarver (US)29. Roy Jones (US) *30. Antonio Tarver (US) *31. Tomasz Adamek (Poland)32. Chad Dawson (US)* REGAINED
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC: 26 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of which only four have regained their title: Dennis Andries (GB), Jeff Harding (Australia), Roy Jones Jr. (US), Antonio Tarver (US).
100 WORLD TITLE BOUTS HAVE BEEN HELD IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC.THIS GOING TO BE THE 8TH TITLE FIGHT IN THE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE IN FLORIDA STATE IN WBC HISTORY.WORLD LIGHT HEAVWEIGHT TITLE BOUTS BY COUNTRY IN WBC HISTORY: USA 67 ENGLAND1 0 AUSTRALIA 5 FRANCE 4 CANADA 3 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 2 ITALY 2 GERMANY 2 YUGOSLAVIA 1 SOUTH AFRICA 1 PUERTO RICO 1 MONACO 1 DENMARK 1 TOTAL FIGHTS 100
WBC TITLE BOUTS HELD IN FLORIDA STATE: 29 WBC world title bouts have been held in Florida in WBC history.6 title fights in the light heavyweight division in Florida in WBC history. BREAKDOWN BY DIVISION: Light Heavy 6 Bantam 6 Super Fly 3 Heavy 2 Super Light 2 Light 2 Super Bantam 2 Cruiser 1 Middle 1 Super Welter 1 Welter 1 Super Feather 1 Feather 1 Total Bouts 29WBC Statistics by Luis Medina.
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World Boxing Council News -WBC Special Events Fights
April 7, 2008 – Mexico City.
From WBC President Jose Sulaiman: WBC SPECIAL EVENT FIGHTS
The World Boxing Council wishes to clarify to the public the term “WBC Special Event,” as it has come to our attention that a few articles and letters have been written in a very negative way misleading the public opinion and implying wrong doings by our organization.
A WBC champion has rights and obligations and all is thoroughly outlined in the WBC Constitution and WBC Rules and Regulations.
When a current recognized WBC champion steps into the ring to fight, he must defend his title or be subject to the following rules:
A. When a WBC champion fights without defending his WBC title in any weight category and any amount of rounds.
Rule 1.22 The WBC Board of Governors, with a majority voting, may grant special authorization to allow a WBC champion to engage in a non-title 10 or 12 round bout. Sanction fees are applicable, pursuant to Rule 7.
B. When a WBC champion challenges for another organization in a higher or lower division.
Rule 7.4 b)
In the event that a WBC champion fights for another organization’s title in a higher weight class, or in a lower weight class in a bout in which his WBC title is not also at stake, the champion must pay to the WBC 50% (fifty percent) of the WBC sanction fee, as stated herein, in view of the market value brought to the bout as a result of his standing attained as a WBC champion.
In 2008 the WBC has sanctioned several WBC Special Events, specifically the following fights:
1. Kelly Pavlik, WBC Middleweight champion fought an over the weight rematch vs. WBC former champion Jermain Taylor. This was a fight in which WBC Rule 1.22 was applied.
2. WBC Lightweight champion David Diaz fought a non-title Special Event Fight vs. Ramon Montaño in the lightweight division, where also WBC Rule 1.22 was applied.
3. This coming April 12, WBC super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe will fight Bernard Hopkins in an over-the-weight fight, which will be a WBC Special Event, also applying WBC Rule 1.22.
The WBC is very proud of all of its champions, as they have proven to be the best in the world and each division has great prospects dreaming to fight for the green and gold belt, which is the reason why the divisions must remain active.
GARY LOCKETT The WBC Board of Governors proceeded with a voting to approve Gary Lockett, from the U.K., to challenge middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik.
The voting was in favor of approving Gary Lockett to challenge for the WBC title and Mr. Lockett has been rated in the middleweight division as number 15.
The fight will take place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on June 7, 2008 and we would like to wish the best of luck to the promotion
