WBC addresses mandatories in each weight class at recent convention
Here is a division-by-division guide to what was ruled on
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Every year one of the most significant activities at the annual WBC convention is when promoters and managers from around the world gather to fight it out for their boxer’s place in the divisional rankings and the setting of mandatory title bouts and elimination fights in every weight class.
That took place at this year’s 61st annual convention in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said 1,137 people attended, including delegates from 102 countries and legends such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez, all former WBC champions. There was even a video message from Pope Francis offering his blessings.
Here is a look at what the WBC outlined for each division — but keep this in mind: This is what the WBC wants to happen. But things can and will change and some fighters might elect to go in another direction.
Heavyweight
With WBC champion Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the other three major belts, set to meet for the undisputed title on Feb. 17 and there being a two-way rematch clause, the WBC elected to table any discussions on a mandatory challenger for now and will support the undisputed fight and potential rematch. Also, since there is a major card on Dec. 23 that will involve several top heavyweights, including former titleholders Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua, and dramatically impact the WBC rankings, the organization will wait until that event takes place before making any major moves in the division.
The WBC did make one quite notable move in its heavyweight rankings, which was not unexpected. It installed Francis Ngannou in the No. 10 position, which qualifies him to fight for the title as an optional opponent. Ngannou, the former UFC champion, crossed over to boxing for a nontitle fight against Fury on Oct. 28. He shockingly knocked Fury down and lost a disputed split decision in an absolute stunner considering most gave Ngannou no shot to compete much less win.
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