WBC addresses the mandatory situation for each weight class at convention

Here's your division-by-division rundown

One of the key 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 fights in each weight class.

This year’s recently concluded 59th annual WBC convention in Mexico City was no different. Here is a look at what the organization outlined for each division:

Heavyweight

Before the Oct. 9 third fight between champion Tyson Fury and former titlist Deontay Wilder the WBC put out a resolution saying the winner of the fight would be obligated to next face the interim titleholder, which is Dillian Whyte. So, Whyte is the mandatory, however the WBC punted in terms of ordering the bout next because Whyte is in arbitration with the WBC mainly over what the purse split would be. The WBC says 80-20, Whyte wants more. So, while he fights that battle, he won’t get the next fight it seems. Fury will probably be allowed an optional defense this spring. The WBC said until the Whyte arbitration is resolved it will not officially order the mandatory.

Bridgerweight

Oscar Rivas claimed the first title in the newly created 224-pound division by outpointing Ryan Rozicki in an action-packed fight on Oct. 22 and now must make a mandatory defense against Evgeny Romanov, the first of two mandatories he must make.

Cruiserweight

Before the convention titleholder Ilunga Makabu had already been ordered to make his mandatory defense against Thabiso Mchunu. When that will happen is unclear but the surprise of the convention was the appearance of Eddy Reynoso, trainer and manager of undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, who addressed the convention and asked for permission for Alvarez to challenge Makabu for the cruiserweight belt. It was granted. Reynoso said they would like to do the fight in May or June. It remains to be seen if Makabu-Mchunu will take place first or if a deal for Makabu-Alvarez will be made.

Light heavyweight 

Unified champion Artur Beterbiev is scheduled to make his WBC mandatory defense against Marcus Browne on Dec. 17 in Montreal.

Super middleweight

Canelo Alvarez became the undisputed champion on Nov. 6 and is looking to next fight for the WBC cruiserweight title. Permission was granted. So, at super middleweight, former two-time titlist David Benavidez was granted the opportunity to fight for the vacant interim title, possibly against former middleweight titlist David Lemieux.

Middleweight

Titleholder Jermall Charlo is allowed to make a voluntary defense next. To earn the mandatory position, Jaime Munguia was ordered to face the winner of Sergiy Derevyanchenko vs. Carlos Adames, which takes place on Dec. 5. Munguia promoter Eric Gomez of Golden Boy told the WBC their side is ready and willing to make that match for Munguia next.

Junior middleweight

Unified titlist Jermell Charlo and WBO titleholder Brian Castano fought to a draw in July and their teams are aiming for a rematch in early 2022. To obtain the mandatory position, Sebastian Fundora and Sergio Garcia meet on Dec. 5 in an elimination bout with the winner to be ordered to face Erickson Lubin in a final eliminator for the mandatory spot.

Welterweight

Unified titlist Errol Spence Jr., who had recent surgery to repair a torn retina, has been cleared to train but his schedule is unclear. He owes an IBF mandatory defense to Kudratillo Abdukakhorov before a WBC mandatory. No WBC mandatory was set but there was discussion of an eliminator between David Avanesyan and Vergil Ortiz Jr., who has a Jan. 22 date but no opponent yet.

Junior welterweight

Undisputed champion Josh Taylor is scheduled for a defense against Jack Catterall on Feb. 26 and then he will be mandated to face Jose Zepeda.

Lightweight

Titleholder Devin Haney is scheduled to defend against interim titlist Joseph Diaz Jr. on Dec. 4. “Franchise champion” Teofimo Lopez Jr., who also holds the IBF, WBO and WBA titles, is set for an IBF mandatory against George Kambosos on Saturday.

Junior lightweight 

Titleholder Oscar Valdez is in a voluntary stage. The WBC proposed a four-man box-off to produce his mandatory challenger with O’Shaquie Foster to fight Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov in a semifinal eliminator with former titlist Miguel Berchelt and Robson Conceicao, who recently lost a disputed decision to Valdez, being mentioned as the other two participants.

Featherweight

Titleholder Gary Russell Jr. is due to next face mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo in early 2022 with the winner due to make another mandatory defense against former junior featherweight titlist Rey Vargas.

Junior featherweight 

Titleholder Brandon Figueroa will face WBO counterpart Stephen Fulton in a unification fight on Saturday. The WBC will order the winner to face former titleholder Daniel Roman.

Bantamweight

Titleholder Nonito Donaire is scheduled to face interim titlist Reymart Gaballo in mandated fight on Dec. 11. Jason Moloney and Nawaphon Kaikanha were ordered to meet in an eliminator.

Junior bantamweight

Former titleholders Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras are due to meet for the vacant world title, although there is no date set. Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez will meet for the third time in early 2022 for the “franchise” title. Pedro Guevara and Fernando Guevara were ordered to meet in an eliminator.

Flyweight 

Titlist Julio Cesar Martinez and interim titlist McWilliams Arroyo fought to a third-round no contest last Friday in a mandatory bout. A rematch is likely to be ordered.

Junior flyweight

Titleholder Masamichi Yabuki upset Kenshiro Teraji to win the WBC title by 10th-round knockout on Sept. 22 and a rematch is next.

Strawweight

Panya Pradabsri won a close decision over long-reigning titlist Wanheng Menayothin to take the belt in November 2020. Pradabsri has had two fights since and they are going to have a rematch.

Canelo Alvarez photo: Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions

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