WBC says mandatory challengers should not block major fights

President says mandatories now managed to avoid blocking undisputed bouts and major events

Mauricio Sulaiman says the WBC has adjusted how it handles mandatory challengers to avoid delaying major fights. The policy still requires yearly mandatories but allows flexibility when undisputed bouts are on the line.

The WBC president, Sulaiman, explained that the organization still requires champions to defend against mandatory contenders, but said it now manages each division more carefully when major fights are available.

“Now the rule says you have to fight your mandatory once a year, but now we have managed each weight category to make sure that no mandatory gets in the way of the best interest of the sport,” Mauricio said to Ring Champs.

Sulaiman pointed to the heavyweight division as an example, saying the WBC supported the undisputed championship fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk rather than forcing separate obligations that could have broken up the matchup.

“The WBC approves that fight and approves the rematch.”

The comments are likely to draw attention because mandatory challengers have often become a source of frustration for fans, especially when contenders wait long periods while champions pursue larger events.

At super middleweight, some critics previously questioned why David Benavidez did not receive a direct path to Canelo Alvarez during his run at 168 pounds, while other fights moved ahead first.

Sulaiman presented the policy as a practical way to help boxing deliver the matchups people actually want, rather than allowing paperwork to stop them.

There was also heavy criticism aimed at the WBC from fans who believed Canelo Alvarez was receiving favorable treatment at 168 pounds. Much of that frustration centered on David Benavidez being left waiting while Canelo instead moved through title defenses against Edgar Berlanga, Jaime Munguia, John Ryder, and Jermell Charlo.

The debate, however, has never been about whether fans want the biggest fights. It has usually been about who gets asked to wait while they happen.

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