Sports · Combat Sports · 1 hr ago
WBC chief admits 2021 mandatory fight harmed Canelo Álvarez
WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán admitted the organization harmed Canelo Álvarez by forcing him to face Avni Yildirim in 2021.
Álvarez won that fight by technical knockout in the third round, but Yildirim had been inactive for nearly two years.
The WBC's mandatory challenger rule is meant to stop champions from avoiding top-ranked contenders.
Sulaimán said the organization applied the rule too rigidly during the pandemic and now considers more than rankings when ordering a defense.
Álvarez is scheduled to fight Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on October 31 for the WBC super middleweight title.
The WBC plans to review its divisions at its annual convention in Acapulco from November 8 to 13.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán admitted the organization harmed Canelo Álvarez by forcing him to make a mandatory defense against Avni Yildirim in 2021.
Álvarez beat Yildirim by technical knockout in the third round, but the challenger had been inactive for about two years.
Sulaimán said the WBC applied its rules rigidly despite the circumstances surrounding the pandemic.
He said the mandatory-fight decision harmed boxing, Álvarez, fans and promoters.
Sulaimán said the WBC now considers sporting circumstances, contracts and the state of each division when assessing mandatory defenses.
- Who
- WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán admitted the organization harmed Canelo Álvarez.
- What
- The WBC forced Álvarez to face Avni Yildirim in a mandatory defense. Álvarez won by technical knockout in the third round.
- When
- The fight took place on February 27, 2021. Sulaimán made the admission before Álvarez’s scheduled fight on October 31.
- Where
- The 2021 fight’s location is Not stated. Álvarez is scheduled to face Christian Mbilli in Riyadh.
- Why
- The WBC enforced the mandatory defense rigidly, despite Yildirim’s long inactivity and the effects of the pandemic on boxing’s schedule.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Álvarez fought Avni Yildirim and won by technical knockout in the third round.
Infobae published Sulaimán’s admission ahead of Álvarez’s scheduled fight against Christian Mbilli.
Álvarez is scheduled to face Mbilli in Riyadh for the WBC super-middleweight title.
- WBC president
- Mauricio Sulaimán
- Mandatory opponent
- Avni Yildirim
- Fight date
- February 27, 2021
- Result
- Álvarez won by technical knockout in the third round
- Yildirim’s inactivity
- About two years without a fight
- Upcoming opponent and venue
- Christian Mbilli in Riyadh
What people are saying
Realmente fue algo difícil porque veníamos de la pandemia y Yildirim tenía dos años sin pelear, se tomó rígidamente la decisión de forzar esa mandatoria
Le hicimos un daño al boxeo, un daño a Canelo, a la afición y a los promotores. A partir de ahí tenemos una política