The World Boxing Association (WBA) called for a hearing with the representatives of the top six super lightweight ranked fighters this Tuesday with the intention of seeking the best solution to the vacancy of the world title of the category, formerly held by Josh Taylor.
The teams summoned are the representatives of Alberto Puello, Ismael Barroso, Ohara Davies, Sandor Martín, Regis Prograis and Batyr Akhmedov. Each team will have 15 minutes to present its case with no time extension. A WBA panel will have 5 minutes after each presentation to ask questions and after a time of deliberation on each case, will present its opinion to WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, who will have the final decision.
Seems like the solution should be to have the mandatory that Josh didn’t take fight the next highest ranked fighter and crown the winner the WBA 140 pound champion and retire the 140 lbs. Super Champion title.
This is begging for corruption. I have a crazy idea. Why not have the #1 and 2 ranked boxers compete for the title?
The best thing these six fighters could do is not to send anyone to the damned thing.
Why have rankings in the first place? You have a vacant title, you have a #1 ranked fighter, Puello, you have a #2, Barroso. There’s your fight.
Neither of those guys should be 1 and 2. Prograis and Martin should fight for title. Prograis used to hold the belt and arguably beat Taylor when they fought. What about Jack Catteral? He got robbed against Josh Taylor to many.
Oh I COMPLETELY agree with you that they shouldn’t be ranked that highly. I think Prograis is the best fighter out of those six and I have no idea how he isn’t ranked top 2, at worst, by all the sanctioning bodies. But they don’t care what I think and they shouldn’t. For whatever reason, they have decided that Puello and Barroso are their top contenders and, assuming they’re both interested, they should fight for the vacant title. Don’t suddenly, essentially, acknowledge your bad rankings because you know how awful it looks for you to strip an undisputed champion so Puello can fight a 39 year old who’s been off almost a year and a half. You built that pile of garbage, stand by it.
the WBA is full of shit for stripping him in the first place
First and second for the title (Barroso and Puello) wi the obligatio to face the winners of the other four, like Ohara Davis vs Martin Sandor and Regis Prograis vs Baryr Akhmedov. All can fight same night
How about Puello Vs Barroso, with the others fighting a super 4 series to decide the next #1 contender.
Regis Prograis vs someone for the belt
No one would know the WBA if they didn’t strip fighters. That is their bread and butter. From Ali in 67 until today, no one strips like the WBA.
Sounds like they are looking for whichever team is smart enough to slide a fat envelope under the table. These are Boxing teams not lawyers. Where is Don King when you need him?
No doubt this is true but you have to wonder why they continue to suck up to these corrupt organizations.
Michael St. John, I’ve always wondered that. Canelo and the WBC comes to mind. He wanted nothing to do with them and their belt, to the point where the WBC would invite themselves to his fight with all those stupid special belts that they would make. And out of nowhere, canelo now is honored to be their champion. I say, something goes on behind closed doors.