29.05.05 – From WBC President Jose Sulaiman: The World Boxing Council is requesting today the voting of its Board of Governors to strip world champion Francisco Javier Castillejo of the title for refusing to comply with his mandatory defense against WBC official challenger Ricardo Mayorga, and signing instead to fight Fernando Vargas, despite the fact that he had already been officially advised and he had accepted such defense in writing..
Two-thirds of the WBC Board of Governors vote will be necessary to make Castillejo’s stripping of his title official, in accordance with the WBC Rules and Regulations.
The WBC has been viciously attacked by some people, due to the countless opportunities and permanent support given to Castillejo by the organization, including the fact that former WBC superwelter champion Winky Wright was bound to pay Castillejo the amount of $150,000 to be allowed to fight Shane Mosley, and also relinquish his WBC superwelter title to be able to fight against Tito Trinidad.
WBC Interim champion Castillejo won $150,000, along with the undisputed WBC superwelter title without winning it on the ring, in accordance to the WBC Rules and Regulations, the same rules that he is now violating to the regret of all the members of the World Boxing Council, who always regarded him with pride, respect and affection.
Mayorga was rated number 4 in the WBC since October 2004. Number 1 at that time, Oscar de la Hoya, moved to middleweight to fight Hopkins. Number 2 at that time, Kofi Jantuah, challenged and lost for the IBF title. Number 3 at that time, Shane Mosley, challenged and lost to Wright.
After Wright’s relinquishing of the title, the WBC designated No. 2 rated Mayorga as the mandatory challenger to fight Castillejo.
I think that Castillejo has been misrepresented in regards to the commitments and obligations, and deeply regret these disloyal actions from those who represent him, especially people from the great nation of Spain, forgetting the multiple opportunities and support always granted to them by the WBC and fully backed up by EBU President Don Ruben Martinez.
Castillejo’s official representative sent a letter in January accepting the champion’s commitment to fight the official challenger, Mayorga, but later refused the date April 30 at the Madison Square Garden in New York, then refused May 14 at the MGM of Las Vegas, and then refused May 21 in Chicago, arguing that the champion was participating in a Spanish reality television show.
I think that the refusal of Castillejo’s representatives to comply with the WBC Rules and Regulations and stipulations is comparable to a citizen’s violation of his country’s law, and permitting this would cause anarchy and chaos, and the WBC cannot accept that.