BoxRec

British-based Armenian welterweight, David Avanesyan - trained in Newark by Carl Greaves and managed by Neil Marsh – has sensationally been elevated to ‘regular’ world title holder by the WBA who, in what appears to be a linked move, have also named Keith Thurman, their current belt holder, as ‘super’ champion.

The promotion comes after negotiations for a title fight between the two broke down following Avanesyan’s decisive points win over ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley earlier this year. Fighting in the USA for the first time, the 28-year old’s victory in Arizona in May ensured he became mandatory for Thurman’s title.

-------------------
So this is the WBA reducing the titles?

That's f.cking unreal I won't sleep tonight

I thought the WBA would elevate their Champion to Super status when they unified against one of the other 3 World Champion's IBF/WBC/WBO so now you can be a Super Champ it just depends on who you know at the WBA

ClivePatrickLyons wrote:I thought the WBA would elevate their Champion to Super status when they unified against one of the other 3 World Champion's IBF/WBC/WBO so now you can be a Super Champ it just depends on who you know at the WBA

Shumenov, Chudinov and Sturm didn't unify shit. WBA is the most corrupt body.

WBA most likely will give WBA interim belt to Thai boxer Tewa Kiram. So there is no reduce in number of champions.

Last year, Keith Thurman was elevated from the “interim” to the “regular” WBA champion without engaging in a fight. Now he’s just been elevated to the WBA’s “super” champion, without having to defeat anyone to gain that title and without needing to own a world title from another organisation.

It looks as though the WBA are treating Thurman in the same way they handled Golovkin’s title reign.

In the old days, world championships and title opportunities were earned and won inside the ring, but times have clearly changed.

The WBA clearly like to award world title belts in the same way as lollipops are given to children, because the more belts in circulation – the more sanctioning fees they receive! Isn’t it such a “prestigious honour” to be a world champion in the modern era?

New Rocchigiani case will easily ruin this system

ClivePatrickLyons wrote:I thought the WBA would elevate their Champion to Super status when they unified against one of the other 3 World Champion's IBF/WBC/WBO so now you can be a Super Champ it just depends on who you know at the WBA

There will be a unification come next March. Bit looks like WBA want to maximise sanctioning fees.

Ruthless-RKO wrote:

ClivePatrickLyons wrote:I thought the WBA would elevate their Champion to Super status when they unified against one of the other 3 World Champion's IBF/WBC/WBO so now you can be a Super Champ it just depends on who you know at the WBA

There will be a unification come next March. Bit looks like WBA want to maximise sanctioning fees.

That's what I was thinking ho the greed.

Good ol WBA...order a mandatory, then upgrade the titles when the guys don't fight