In order to comply with the WBO’s prohibition against its champions holding titles from other sanctioning organizations in multiple weight classes, four-division world champion Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) and the WBO have reached an agreement for Canelo to vacate the WBO’s light heavyweight world title. Canelo won the WBO title by defeating
Sergey Kovalev via 11th-round knockout on November 2. Canelo will maintain his status and privileges as a WBO super champion, including the privilege to be designated mandatory challenger to the WBO titleholder in ANY division.
Canelo said, “I know that my accomplishments in the ring have brought pride to my fans and my country. I have long enjoyed my relationship with the WBO and appreciate all they do to preserve and enhance the sport of boxing. This agreement allows the WBO to have its light heavyweight title contested regularly and allows me to pursue bouts against the best opponents, regardless of weight class.”
WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel said, “Canelo has already accomplished much in boxing, and is still a young man. When his career is done, he will be regarded as one of the greatest boxers to ever step into the ring, and one of Mexico’s best fighters ever. We look forward to his future fights against rivals at the top of the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and other divisions.”
“We completely support the decision made by Canelo Alvarez and the WBO,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Canelo made history by stopping Sergey Kovalev in impressive fashion to become a four-division world champion. Not only did he show that he is a real threat at 175 pounds, but he also demonstrated that he is fully capable of moving across several divisions to look for the most exciting fights for the fans. At the same time, we look forward to continue promoting our other WBO champions such as Patrick Teixeira and Franchon Crews-Dezurn.”
Ok,Sure.
It wasnt like he was going to fight the best guys in the division anyway. That would have been way to entertaining, way to interesting and wayyyy toooo difficult
Must be nice to have favouritism by WBO just because you are Mexican.
Now you know why I call it the North American boxing establishment. How do you have an international sport with all the world title sanctioning bodies in just 4 countries, 3 of which are in Latin America, and all in North America? You would think that there would be some type of bias or conflict of interest, but naaaahhh! Boxing would never do that (rolls eyes)
Man, it really is easy to predict canelo’s career since it’s all smoke and mirrors. I called this right after the kovalev farce. Canelo knows he would get smoked by the real fighters at light heavyweight and super middleweight. But since he can fight anybody who holds the WBO title why doesn’t he man up and finally fight Andrade? Stop calling him boring and just beat him in the ring and take his title, if you can. Canelo will probably just fight Billy Joe Pikey, since he is the weakest fighter from 160 to 175, and he holds the WBO belt at 168. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see Canelo fight some nobody next either.
Love how all the haters line up to hate on the Pound 4 Pound Mexican King … so refreshing to see suckers!!!