The World Boxing Council, with the full cooperation of all interested parties, proudly announces the status of its Middleweight division. Upon the joint request of WBC Middleweight World Champion Saul Alvarez and WBC Middleweight Interim Champion Gennady Golovkin and their corresponding promotional companies, Golden Boy Promotions and K2 Promotions, the WBC has ruled as set forth below.
WBC
The WBC Strips Miguel Cotto
The World Boxing Council worked tirelessly through a process that began over two years ago to secure the celebration of the highly anticipated fight between Miguel Cotto and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. The WBC is proud of that accomplishment that is giving boxing fans around the world a very important fight to see. After several weeks of communications, countless attempts and good faith time extensions trying to preserve the fight as a WBC World Championship, Miguel Cotto and his promotion did not agree to comply with the WBC Rules & Regulations, while Saúl Alvarez has agreed to do so. Accordingly, the WBC must rule on the matter prior to the fight.
WBC responds to Tyson Fury’s defamatory statements
From the office of WBC President Dr. José Sulaimán: It is unacceptable to allow defamatory statements to remain unanswered. The WBC therefore must provide the facts regarding false and defamatory statements made by Tyson Fury.
The facts in Mr. Fury’s case are plain and simple:
· Hennessy Promotions requested the WBC’s support to officially sanction an elimination fight between Fury, then WBC ranked No. 3, vs. Kevin Johnson, who was then ranked only No. 32 by the WBC.
· The WBC accepted to support this promotion with the clear understanding that this was in no way a final elimination, nor would there be any specific implications for the winner.