WBC allows Stevenson step-aside, orders Eleider Alvarez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk

[Ruthless-RKO]

On 8th of December.. the WBC said they would investigate the mandatory status with Adonis..

Today, they have allowed the step-aside.

Dan wrote, The WBC has once again permitted Adonis Stevenson to avoid a fight with mandatory challenger Eleider Alvarez, who accepted step-side money to allow Stevenson to fight Badou Jack. As a reward for his compliance, Alvarez must now face the surging Oleksandr Gvozdyk for an interim title.

Gvozdyk (14-0, 12 KO) has stopped eight straight opponents, including tough veterans Isaac Chilemba and Yunieski Gonzalez. He’s every bit the challenge Stevenson is, only without a real belt for Alvarez to earn if he pulls the upset.

Also, the funniest part of that article?

The WBC will then mandate that the Stevenson-Jack winner face the Alvarez-Gvozdyk winner.

Yeah, because that’s worked so well the last four years.

[gilgamesh]

Stevenson's title reign has been absolutely laughable.

Beating Bellew is a decent win in hindsight, but the best contenders have passed him by. Even Alvarez the guy he's stepped aside so many times is only like the 5th best guy in the division at best...but that's too much for him

[filibert]

Stevenson and Alvarez are "teammates", so the strategy was to keep Alvarez mandatory until eventually Stevenson loses, so he could try to recover the title for the "team". Understandable business strategy, but what I do not understand is why the WBC allows it?

[KiwiRider]

How are the WBC so compliant to Chickenson?
Is there some connection or something?
This whole non mandatory reign is beyond a joke now.
Poor Alvarez, he might not get through this 'eliminator' and lose his #1 contender spot. Not that it seems to mean anything being #1 contender according to the WBC' unique light heavy position.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Poor Alvarez, he might not get through this 'eliminator' and lose his #1 contender spot. Not that it seems to mean anything being #1 contender according to the WBC' unique light heavy position.

He has made some decent money NOT fighting Stevenson. On top of that, he's still been active.

[KiwiRider]

Poor Alvarez, he might not get through this 'eliminator' and lose his #1 contender spot. Not that it seems to mean anything being #1 contender according to the WBC' unique light heavy position.

He has made some decent money NOT fighting Stevenson. On top of that, he's still been active.

I accept that but how could he not want the belt, surely it is why boxers box. The step aside money must be nice, but I'm sure he would have made the same if he had the belt and took fights with the belt holders purse %?

[BAD INTENTIONS]

A 4-man tourney that includes 4 of the top 6 fighters at 175!
Stevenson VS Jack
Alavrez VS Gvozdyk

That's a very nice card.
I hope the losers fight too.

[boxing_rocks]

WBC is a bunch of whores. They "investigated" Stevenson not fighting mandatories for 4 years and allowed him to do it again. Should've stripped him and ordered Alvarez vs Gvozdyk for the title.

[lazboy]

A 4-man tourney that includes 4 of the top 6 fighters at 175!
Stevenson VS Jack
Alavrez VS Gvozdyk

That's a very nice card.
I hope the losers fight too.

True. Love to see these fights ASAP.

[Enlightened-One]

A 4-man tourney that includes 4 of the top 6 fighters at 175!
Stevenson VS Jack
Alavrez VS Gvozdyk

That's a very nice card.
I hope the losers fight too.

True. Love to see these fights ASAP.

Whilst I feel that Eleider Alvarez should be stripped of his WBC ranking, due to his reluctance to actively pursue a bout against Adonis Stevenson, I have to agree with this opinion.

That is a really impressive four-man tournament.

[Ruthless-RKO]

A 4-man tourney that includes 4 of the top 6 fighters at 175!
Stevenson VS Jack
Alavrez VS Gvozdyk

That's a very nice card.
I hope the losers fight too.

True. Love to see these fights ASAP.

Whilst I feel that Eleider Alvarez should be stripped of his WBC ranking, due to his reluctance to actively pursue a bout against Adonis Stevenson, I have to agree with this opinion.

That is a really impressive four-man tournament.

WBC have the power to force purse bids don't they?

[jamamb]

in his prime adonis wouldve beaten up alvarez and ktfo gvozdyk. not sure now. the ukranian is the weakest of this lot though.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He can still hit though. Williams gave it his best shot vs. Adonis. But ultimately got KTFO. Jack will certainly give it.

I kinda favour Stevenson. He has power in his hands. He can knock Jack down. Jack is in for a surprise. 60/40 i favour of Adonis.

[Enlightened-One]

True. Love to see these fights ASAP.

Whilst I feel that Eleider Alvarez should be stripped of his WBC ranking, due to his reluctance to actively pursue a bout against Adonis Stevenson, I have to agree with this opinion.

That is a really impressive four-man tournament.

WBC have the power to force purse bids don't they?

The WBC only have the power to request a purse bid, but both boxers aren't obliged to participate in it (as per the Stevenson-Kovalev situation, when the Russian rejected a guaranteed opportunity to challenge for Adonis' WBC title, because he refused to participate in the purse bid).

The thing is… if Alvarez has already declined an opportunity to challenge for Stevenson’s WBC title twice, then requesting a purse bid would probably be meaningless gesture.

Eleider Alvarez would almost certainly decline to participate in it.

For the record, Alvarez and Stevenson are both with Al Haymon and their promoters are also aligned to the PBC boss (GYM & DiBella). So they could probably make the bout at any time, even as a voluntary defence, if they wanted to.

[bmilligan]

Is Badou Jack also with Haymon? So he beats Cleverly for the WBA, drops it and opts for a shot at the WBC with Stevenson. Stevenson is able to avoid defending against a Mandatory for 4 years. So I can watch show stopper fights like Stevenson vs. Karpency.

Makes sense.

[Deleted_Scenes]

We've been left with a couple of decent fights, on paper.

At this stage, I'd favour Jack to outbox Stevenson over 12, possibly comfortably. Stevenson really hasn't been challenged for about 4 years now (don't try and tell me Williams or Fonfara were ever a threat). His reign has been nothing more than an illusion. Thinking back, didn't he even turn down the chance to fight Carl Froch, so he could go after an already damaged Chad Dawson instead? He just needs to go away...

Gvozdyk toys with Alvarez. Let's hope Jack gives him his shot, when the time comes.

[Impractical Poster]

Jack should win.

[Blodhemn]

Never impressed with Alvarez. He probably felt comfortable accepting the step aside money as he'd most likely lose the fight. Easy style for Gvozdyk to beat also.

Figured Jack would get the shot at Chickenson. If Aducknis is still in top form then Jack will be KO'd, but if not there could be a new titlist.

This is like a broken clock scenario of matchups.

[victor-romeo]

I don't care who Stevenson fights he is completely irrelevant to me..