BoxRec

"WBC Trying To Reach Agreement Between Wilder, Ortiz, Stiverne"

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman is trying hard to work out a deal that accommodates all of the involved parties in the ongoing tug of war for the WBC heavyweight title.

As first reported on BS.com, WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs) is hoping to have a fall showdown with undefeated contender Luis Ortiz (27-0, 23 KOs). The fight is being targeted for November 4th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

But there is a big problem hanging overhead, as back in February the WBC ordered Wilder to make a mandatory defense against Bermane Stiverne. Wilder won the title from Stiverne in January 2015.

Wilder, who wants to scheduled a fight as soon as possible, has been out of the ring since scoring a stoppage win over previously undefeated Gerald Washington, on February 25 in Birmingham’s Legacy Arena.

According to Wilder's team, because of Stiverne's inactivity and Wilder's prior one-sided win - none of the major TV network are interested in televising the rematch.

There is also concern from Wilder's camp, after the WBC announced last month that Stiverne missed a drug test for performance enhancing drugs, as mandated by the sanctioning body as part of their Clean Boxing Program in association with The Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).

VADA, which oversees the WBC's testing program, counts a missed test as a failed drug test.

BS reported that Stiverne hired the experienced management team of James Prince and attorney Josh Dubin to ensure that he secures his right to a world title fight.

Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs) has been out of the ring since November 2015, when he got off the floor to win a ten round decision over Derric Rossy.

"We are talking with the members of all the teams, and hope that we can reach a friendly agreement that does not affect anyone," said Sulaiman to ESPN Deportes.

FYI – Dan Rafael verified Team Wilder’s claims by confirming that Showtime were unwilling to televise a rematch between Wilder-Stiverne.

Personal opinion: Why hasn’t Stiverne received a suspension for missing a VADA-administered drug test, especially considering he had tested positive for a banned substance as recently as nine months ago? The WBC should have already stripped Stiverne of his mandatory challenger status and also removed him from their rankings, due to committing two infractions over a spell of only nine months, which means that Deontay Wilder should free to face Luis Ortiz.

Thoughts?

Stiverne missed the VADA test. Stiverne is promoted by Don King. Stiverne is still the mandatory challenger.

I can't understand why Stiverne will not take step aside money, he still gets his chance later on, and an extra bit of cash for doing nothing.
It's not as if he has anything else on the boil, does he?
After his title shot, and he loses no matter who it is, he is pretty much done and here he is turning down money for jam before his retirement job as a greeter for Wallmart.

KiwiRider wrote:I can't understand why Stiverne will not take step aside money, he still gets his chance later on, and an extra bit of cash for doing nothing.
It's not as if he has anything else on the boil, does he?
After his title shot, and he loses no matter who it is, he is pretty much done and here he is turning down money for jam before his retirement job as a greeter for Wallmart.

Indeed.

Instead of being greedy, he gets in the way of a good fight.

Not only is he damaging boxing he's losing money in order to do so.

The man is an idiot and a bore and I'd prefer it if he never fought again.

RScarf1 wrote:Stiverne missed the VADA test. Stiverne is promoted by Don King. Stiverne is still the mandatory challenger.

..says it all..

Possible jobs for Stiverne after his boxing career is over:
Walmart greeter
Janitor at Don King's headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida
School Crossing Guard (part-time employment)

The only thing mildly amusing about his whole career is when he gets punched in the head the giant dread on his head pops up like a partial erection. Otherwise he is of no amusemt.