A look at the WBC title situation in every weight class
At its online convention, the WBC released its annual overview of its championship situations for the seventeen weight classes. Here it is:
Heavyweight: Matchroom has requested for the August 22nd fight between interim champion Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin, authorization from the WBC for the winner to be awarded the the [nonsenical] diamond belt. This proposal has been authorized. If Dillian Whyte wins, he will be ratified as the official challenger to face the winner of WBC champion Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III. Fury was confirmed to make a voluntary defense against Deontay Wilder, which is scheduled for December 19th. The winner of Fury vs. Wilder III is required to fight Whyte if he wins his match against Povetkin... Queensberry Promotions received clarification from the WBC after expressing their concern that February was the deadline for the mandatory fight, it was clarified that one day after the fight between Fury vs Wilder III the period of free negotiations will begin... Silver champion Daniel Dubois is defending his crown against Joe Joyce on October 24th.
Cruiserweight: WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu must make two mandatory defenses, having won a vacant title. There are 2 final elimination bouts between # 1 Thabiso Mchunu versus # 3 Olanrewaju Durodola and # 4 Alexei Papin versus # 5 Ruslan Fayfer. Makabu was granted a voluntary defense.
Light Heavyweight: Light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev [may] defend his title against [IBF mandatory] Fanlong Meng on September 25th in Russia. Jean Pascal is the WBC mandatory challenger.
Super middleweight: WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez defends against Roamer Angulo on Saturday. The winner will face mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim; winner vs. Avni Yildirim will be allowed a voluntary defense before facing diamond champion Callum Smith. [Benavides' promoter] Sampson Lewkowicz expressed his concern about the situation of Yildrim’s entry to the USA. It was confirmed that WBC will attend to each case separately and they are asked to anticipate the confirmation of the date of the fight and attend the situation of entering the USA with the necessary anticipation... The Silver champion will defend in October and asks to be kept informed of any situation in case of Yildirim or Smith problems In ordered to be considered [as a substitute mndatory].
Middleweight: WBC franchise champion Saúl Álvarez will not fight on September 12th. He is training, and Golden Boy is working on confirming date, place and opponent . [Regular] middleweight champion Jermall Charlo will defend against Sergiy Derevyanchenko on September 26th.
Junior middleweight: WBC champion Jermell Charlo defends against IBF/ WBA champion Jeison Rosario on September 26th in a unification bout. The promoter informed that the winner is obliged to make the mandatory defense of the IBF, to which the WBC confirmed that it has agreements of respect and reciprocity with the IBF to respect the mandatory obligations.
Welterweight: WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence defends against Danny Garcia in a mandatory fight in November... Shawn Porter will contest the silver championship against Sebastian Formella on August 22nd.
Junior welterweight: WBC champion José Ramírez faces Viktor Postol in a mandatory fight on August 29th.
Lightweight: WBC franchise lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko will clash with IBF champion Teofimo Lopez on October 17th in Las Vegas in a unification bout. The board of governors voted in favor of accepting Top Rank’s request that, if Teofimo Lopez wins the match, he be recognized as a franchise champion... WBC regular champion Devin Haney will have a voluntary defense... Ryan “Kingry” Garcia will face Luke Campbell for the interim title.... Javier Fortuna will notify the WBC of his plans regarding their fight on August 28th and will have the unconditional support of the WBC.... Eliminatory fights will be held in Russia for the silver title.
Super featherweight: WBC Super featherweight champion Miguel Berchelt will defend his title against official challenger Oscar Valdez on a date to be determined. Top Rank has until the end of August to confirm the deal, otherwise a purse offer will be ordered. A tournament will determine the next mandatory.
Featherweight: WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. does not have a mandatory challenger. # 2 Tugstsogt Nyambayar vs. # 5 Eduardo Ramírez will be the final eliminator on September 19 in Connecticut. It was taken into consideration that this fight is signed and that challenger # 1 was not available as he had plans to fight for another body.
Super bantamweight: WBC super bantamweight champion Rey Vargas fractured his leg and will be out of circulation for months, and will be named champion in recess. The governing board accepted the following fights: Luis Nery faces Aaron Alameda for the vacant title and the winner will be forced to two mandatories. There will be two final eliminatory bouts and the winners will be mandatory.... Carlos Castro vs. Christopher Diaz first mandatory and Daniel Román vs. Juan Carlos Payano for the second.
Bantamweight: WBC bantamweight champion Nordine Ouabaali defends against Nonito Donaire in December in his mandatory defense.
Super flyweight: WBC super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada has a voluntary defense. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai is the mandatory challenger. Thailand’s travel restrictions situation will be verified.
Flyweight: WBC flyweight champion Julio César Martínez was supposed fight official challenger McWilliams Arroyo, but he withdrew due to illness. The promoters will try to reschedule the match.
Light flyweight: WBC light flyweight Kenshiro Teraji is awaiting a fight date. A final elimination fight will be ordered soon after analyzing the situation of the fighters, their countries and restrictions.
Strawweight: Strawweight champion Wanheng Menayothin could fight a voluntary defense in September. A final elimination bout will be ordered reviewing the situation.
Break them down guys.
