The WBO Championship Committee has denied a request by Disrupt Promotions to approve a fight between #1 junior lightweight Albert Bell and #3 Archie Sharp for an interim title and/or the winner be designated as the mandatory challenger for Emanuel Navarrete’s next title defense.
Due to his “super champion” status, Navarrete isn’t required to make a mandatory defense until February 2025, therefore the WBO ruled that at this time an interim title and/or elimination bout is not warranted or justified.
The Committee indicated that they may sanction Bell-Sharp for a regional title if the parties voluntarily agree to do so. In any event, both camps were strongly recommended to keep active.
The WBO has that ‘super champion’ tag to protect against exactly stuff like this, unfortunately, but so be it. These two should definitely still fight, however. I can’t imagine that #1 fights #3 and the winner ISN’T the next mandatory… presuming they don’t lose to someone else while waiting. Navarrete should fight Conceicao next anyway.
With moronic “super” champion designations, these self-appointed sanctiong body buffoons make themselves look more idiotic every day.