BoxRec

WBA moves to reduce number of champions and axes bridgerweight division

The WBA has pledged to reduce the number of its world champions after announcing it will no longer recognize the bridgerweight division.

The bridgerweight, named as such because it bridges the gap between cruiserweight and heavyweight, has not taken off and the WBA has said it will no longer have bridgerweight bouts once scheduled fights at the weight have taken place.

The sanctioning body issued a statement that read: “The WBA remains committed to its goal of reducing the number of world champions, and our recent decisions continue to move in that direction. In this regard, it is important to note that three recently announced bouts have not been approved by the WBA as of this date.

“Additionally, the WBA announces that it will discontinue recognition of the bridgerweight division. The remaining previously approved bouts in the weight class will be completed during a transition period. Thereafter, no bridgerweight contests will be sanctioned by the WBA.”

The WBC is now the only sanctioning body that recognizes the weight class.

Good move. Now they need to follow it up with cutting out the Super, Regular, Interim Champion nonsense.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑20 Jun 2026, 10:41 Good move. Now they need to follow it up with cutting out the Super, Regular, Interim Champion nonsense.

Exactly! Stating it doesn't mean anything if they don't do anything about it. As you noted, start by getting rid of all these secondary titles. If the WBA is going to talk the talk, it needs to walk the walk. And maybe, just maybe, some of the other organizations will follow suit.

MPW wrote: ↑20 Jun 2026, 10:55

gilgamesh wrote: ↑20 Jun 2026, 10:41 Good move. Now they need to follow it up with cutting out the Super, Regular, Interim Champion nonsense.

Exactly! Stating it doesn't mean anything if they don't do anything about it. As you noted, start by getting rid of all these secondary titles. If the WBA is going to talk the talk, it needs to walk the walk. And maybe, just maybe, some of the other organizations will follow suit.

They say this so often and then add a new interim belt or a regular belt shortly after. All good in theory but terrible in action.

Didn't they say that like ~5 years ago?
I don't believe them.

Sendo Takeshi wrote: ↑20 Jun 2026, 12:31 Didn't they say that like ~5 years ago?
I don't believe them.

This article is just telling us they’re getting rid of the Bridger belt.

They won’t “recognize” the division because nobody else did.

The WBA would have 236 divisions if they could get fighters/promoters to pay “title” sanctioning fees. I refused to pay the sanctioning fee for my 185-lb WBA Valencia retiree title

Sounds like an outbreak of sanity at the WBA.

I didn't even know the WBA ever had a Bridgerweight division

What happens to the champion, will he be compensated with a ranking at heavyweight?

Kevin Lerena lost his WBC version last month.

2468166 wrote: ↑22 Jun 2026, 17:04 I didn't even know the WBA ever had a Bridgerweight division

What happens to the champion, will he be compensated with a ranking at heavyweight?

Muslim Ghadzhimghodov was Bridger weight champion of the WBA.
He has been inactive since January of 2025. More than likely was already stripped of the belt for inactivity.
He has been active as an amateur and is ranked #1 in the world. 104-7 as amateur
6-0 as a pro. I'm hoping he has more pro fights because he is very talented

BoxRec doesn't even recognise the WBA

banjo wrote: ↑25 Jun 2026, 22:06 BoxRec doesn't even recognise the WBA

It does if you subscribe for £1