Tag: WBC

Amanda Serrano vacates WBC title to protest 10-round limit for women

Amanda Serrano has vacated her WBC 126-pound title to protest the sanctioning body’s 10-round limit for women.

Amanda Serrano has put her title where her mouth is.

The seven-division beltholder has given up her WBC 126-pound title because the sanctioning body refuses to allow women to fight under men’s rules — 12 three-minute rounds.

Women are generally limited to 10 two-minute rounds, which WBC officials say protects them.

Serrano in October defeated Daniela Ramos by a shutout decision in defense of three of her four titles in a 12-round fight. The WBC belt was not on the line.

She made a statement on Instagram to explain her position:

“The WBC has refused to evolve the sport for equality. So I am relinquishing their title. Moving forward if a sanctioning body doesn’t want to give me and my fellow fighters the choice to fight the same as the men, then I will not be fighting for that sanctioning body.”

“I am the only boxer, male or female, from Puerto Rico to become undisputed champion. I am the only female boxer to have won titles in seven divisions,” Serrano said.

“I am the first female boxer, along with Katie [Taylor] to headline Madison Square Garden. I am the first female boxer to make seven figures from a fight and the same from sponsors.

“And I am the first undisputed female champion to fight 12×3 minute rounds.”

She later told ESPN that she will fight only under men’s rules in championship fights going forward.

“After an amazing fight [against Danila Ramos], we proved to the world how incredible women’s boxing is and that we are just as capable as any man in the ring, and we deserve the choice to be treated equally,” she told the outlet.

“I’ve made my choice, one that I’ve worked many years to earn, and my choice is to continue to only fight 12 three-minute rounds for the rest of my career. Once you break down barriers, you don’t go backwards.

“Women can do whatever we put our minds to, and I hope everyone can respect the progress we’ve made and my choice to continue to compete under the same rules as my male counterparts for their championship bouts.”

Serrano in October was among a group of female boxers that called for the right to fight for 12 rounds in championship fights.

However, the WBC has not budged in terms of its policy. The sanctioning body’s president, Mauricio Sulaiman, recently stated on X: “Tennis, women play three sets. Basketball, the basket is shorter and the ball smaller and those are not contact sports. We stand by safety and well-being of the fighters.”

[lawrence-related id=38777]

Amanda Serrano vacates WBC title to protest 10-round limit for women

Amanda Serrano has vacated her WBC 126-pound title to protest the sanctioning body’s 10-round limit for women.

Amanda Serrano has put her title where her mouth is.

The seven-division beltholder has given up her WBC 126-pound title because the sanctioning body refuses to allow women to fight under men’s rules — 12 three-minute rounds.

Women are generally limited to 10 two-minute rounds, which WBC officials say protects them.

Serrano in October defeated Daniela Ramos by a shutout decision in defense of three of her four titles in a 12-round fight. The WBC belt was not on the line.

She made a statement on Instagram to explain her position:

“The WBC has refused to evolve the sport for equality. So I am relinquishing their title. Moving forward if a sanctioning body doesn’t want to give me and my fellow fighters the choice to fight the same as the men, then I will not be fighting for that sanctioning body.”

“I am the only boxer, male or female, from Puerto Rico to become undisputed champion. I am the only female boxer to have won titles in seven divisions,” Serrano said.

“I am the first female boxer, along with Katie [Taylor] to headline Madison Square Garden. I am the first female boxer to make seven figures from a fight and the same from sponsors.

“And I am the first undisputed female champion to fight 12×3 minute rounds.”

She later told ESPN that she will fight only under men’s rules in championship fights going forward.

“After an amazing fight [against Danila Ramos], we proved to the world how incredible women’s boxing is and that we are just as capable as any man in the ring, and we deserve the choice to be treated equally,” she told the outlet.

“I’ve made my choice, one that I’ve worked many years to earn, and my choice is to continue to only fight 12 three-minute rounds for the rest of my career. Once you break down barriers, you don’t go backwards.

“Women can do whatever we put our minds to, and I hope everyone can respect the progress we’ve made and my choice to continue to compete under the same rules as my male counterparts for their championship bouts.”

Serrano in October was among a group of female boxers that called for the right to fight for 12 rounds in championship fights.

However, the WBC has not budged in terms of its policy. The sanctioning body’s president, Mauricio Sulaiman, recently stated on X: “Tennis, women play three sets. Basketball, the basket is shorter and the ball smaller and those are not contact sports. We stand by safety and well-being of the fighters.”

[lawrence-related id=38777]

Report: WBC plans to introduce category for transgender boxers

Report: The WBC is planning to introduce a category for transgender boxers.

The WBC reportedly is planning to introduce a category for transgender boxers.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman told The Telegraph that the decision was made “because of safety and inclusion.”

Under the plan, boxers assigned different genders at birth would not be allowed to face one another in the ring.

“We are going to put out a global call for those who are interested in 2023 and we will set up the protocols, start consultation and most likely create a league and a tournament,” Sulaiman told the newspaper.

“It is the time to do this, and we are doing this because of safety and inclusion. We have been the leaders in rules for women’s boxing … so the dangers of a man fighting a woman will never happen because of what we are going to put in place.

“In boxing, a man fighting a woman must never be accepted regardless of gender change. There should be no gray area around this, and we want to go into it with transparency and the correct decisions.

“Woman to man or man to woman transgender change will never be allowed to fight a different gender by birth.”

Sulaiman emphasized the desire to be inclusive.

“We are creating a set of rules and structures so that transgender boxing can take place, as they fully deserve to if they want to box,” he said. “We do not yet know the numbers that there are out there, but we’re opening a universal registration in 2023, so that we can understand the boxers that are out there. And we’ll start from there.”

British Boxing Board of Control General Secretary Robert Smith told The Telegraph that his organization, which oversees boxing in the U.K., is in a discussion stage.

However, he seemed to say that the BBBofC would also base its policy on birth gender.

“At the moment this is hypothetical but we can see it coming and we are looking at our transgender policy,” Smith said.  “It is what you are born as, as rugby union does. When it does [happen] we intend to be fully prepared. Medical and, perhaps more importantly, legal considerations will have to be taken into account.”

Swimming has been at the center of discussions over how to include transgender women in competition.

FINA, which governs the sport internationally, requires transgender swimmers to have transitioned by the age of 12 to compete against those assigned female at birth.

Report: WBC plans to introduce category for transgender boxers

Report: The WBC is planning to introduce a category for transgender boxers.

The WBC reportedly is planning to introduce a category for transgender boxers.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman told The Telegraph that the decision was made “because of safety and inclusion.”

Under the plan, boxers assigned different genders at birth would not be allowed to face one another in the ring.

“We are going to put out a global call for those who are interested in 2023 and we will set up the protocols, start consultation and most likely create a league and a tournament,” Sulaiman told the newspaper.

“It is the time to do this, and we are doing this because of safety and inclusion. We have been the leaders in rules for women’s boxing … so the dangers of a man fighting a woman will never happen because of what we are going to put in place.

“In boxing, a man fighting a woman must never be accepted regardless of gender change. There should be no gray area around this, and we want to go into it with transparency and the correct decisions.

“Woman to man or man to woman transgender change will never be allowed to fight a different gender by birth.”

Sulaiman emphasized the desire to be inclusive.

“We are creating a set of rules and structures so that transgender boxing can take place, as they fully deserve to if they want to box,” he said. “We do not yet know the numbers that there are out there, but we’re opening a universal registration in 2023, so that we can understand the boxers that are out there. And we’ll start from there.”

British Boxing Board of Control General Secretary Robert Smith told The Telegraph that his organization, which oversees boxing in the U.K., is in a discussion stage.

However, he seemed to say that the BBBofC would also base its policy on birth gender.

“At the moment this is hypothetical but we can see it coming and we are looking at our transgender policy,” Smith said.  “It is what you are born as, as rugby union does. When it does [happen] we intend to be fully prepared. Medical and, perhaps more importantly, legal considerations will have to be taken into account.”

Swimming has been at the center of discussions over how to include transgender women in competition.

FINA, which governs the sport internationally, requires transgender swimmers to have transitioned by the age of 12 to compete against those assigned female at birth.

WBC to remove Russian, Belarusian boxers from rankings because of war in Ukraine

The WBC announced it will remove Russian and Belarusian boxers from rankings because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The World Boxing Council is taking its stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctioning body, which is holding its annual convention in Mexico, announced Tuesday that all fighters from Russia and Belarus will be removed from its rankings, according to multiple reports.

The WBC, IBF, WBA and WBO had already decided not to sanction fights in either of those countries. Belarus is an ally of Russia.

“All fighters from Russia and Belarus are being removed from the WBC rankings,” Sulaiman said at the convention Tuesday, according to Sky Sports. “The WBC will not sanction any fights in those two countries and no national citizen from those two countries can compete for a WBC championship title.

“I wish to express our deep regret for the athletes, for the promoters, for the members of the boxing industry from Russia and Belarus who will suffer with these consequences of the actions outside the ring. The WBC believes in peace, believes in fair play, and believes human dignity.”

The WBC will consider exceptions for Russian and Belarusian natives who live and train elsewhere, according to BoxingScene.com.

For example, 175-pound champion Dmitry Bivol was born in Russia but has lived in the U.S. for many years. Another Russian light heavyweight titleholder, Artur Beterbiev, has made his home in Canada for close to a decade.

However, the WBC has stipulated that such fighters must have “rejected Russian’s actions” to be exempted.

Here is the wording of the ruling: “At the November 6, 2022 Board of Governors meeting, the board unanimously approved the resolution to remove all boxers from either of those countries from the world ratings. Any specific cases of nationals of either of those countries permanently residing in other countries, are citizens of other countries or are refugees, who have publicly rejected Russia’s actions in the current situation will have the right to petition the WBC to reconsider The WBC’s ruling is effective immediately and will stay in effect until such time when Ukraine is able to resume their normal boxing activities or when the WBC revisits its ruling.”

BoxingScene reported that Evgeny Romanov, a Russian, has been removed as the No. 1 bridgerweight contender. Cruiserweight contender Aleksei Papin of Russia also was removed from the rankings.
Many other sports organizations have banned or sanctioned Russian teams and athletes as a result of the war, which began in February and rages on.

WBC to remove Russian, Belarusian boxers from rankings because of war in Ukraine

The WBC announced it will remove Russian and Belarusian boxers from rankings because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The World Boxing Council is taking its stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctioning body, which is holding its annual convention in Mexico, announced Tuesday that all fighters from Russia and Belarus will be removed from its rankings, according to multiple reports.

The WBC, IBF, WBA and WBO had already decided not to sanction fights in either of those countries. Belarus is an ally of Russia.

“All fighters from Russia and Belarus are being removed from the WBC rankings,” Sulaiman said at the convention Tuesday, according to Sky Sports. “The WBC will not sanction any fights in those two countries and no national citizen from those two countries can compete for a WBC championship title.

“I wish to express our deep regret for the athletes, for the promoters, for the members of the boxing industry from Russia and Belarus who will suffer with these consequences of the actions outside the ring. The WBC believes in peace, believes in fair play, and believes human dignity.”

The WBC will consider exceptions for Russian and Belarusian natives who live and train elsewhere, according to BoxingScene.com.

For example, 175-pound champion Dmitry Bivol was born in Russia but has lived in the U.S. for many years. Another Russian light heavyweight titleholder, Artur Beterbiev, has made his home in Canada for close to a decade.

However, the WBC has stipulated that such fighters must have “rejected Russian’s actions” to be exempted.

Here is the wording of the ruling: “At the November 6, 2022 Board of Governors meeting, the board unanimously approved the resolution to remove all boxers from either of those countries from the world ratings. Any specific cases of nationals of either of those countries permanently residing in other countries, are citizens of other countries or are refugees, who have publicly rejected Russia’s actions in the current situation will have the right to petition the WBC to reconsider The WBC’s ruling is effective immediately and will stay in effect until such time when Ukraine is able to resume their normal boxing activities or when the WBC revisits its ruling.”

BoxingScene reported that Evgeny Romanov, a Russian, has been removed as the No. 1 bridgerweight contender. Cruiserweight contender Aleksei Papin of Russia also was removed from the rankings.
Many other sports organizations have banned or sanctioned Russian teams and athletes as a result of the war, which began in February and rages on.

Watch it: Canelo Alvarez’s beat down of Avni Yildirim

Watch it: Canelo Alvarez stopped Avni Yildirim after the third round Saturday in Miami.

Few fights are as one-sided as this one.

Canelo Alvarez battered Avni Yildirim for three rounds, forcing the Turkish fighter to quit on his stool before the start of Round 4 Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Alvarez (55-1-2, 37 KOs) put the overmatched Yildirim (21-3, 12 KOs) down with a straight right in the final round.

The Mexican star was defending his WBA and WBC super middleweight titles. He will face fellow beltholder Billy Joe Saunders in a title-unification bout on May 8, it was announced after Saturday’s fight.

Here are the highlights of Alvarez’s knockout.

[lawrence-related id=18180]

Watch it: Canelo Alvarez’s beat down of Avni Yildirim

Watch it: Canelo Alvarez stopped Avni Yildirim after the third round Saturday in Miami.

Few fights are as one-sided as this one.

Canelo Alvarez battered Avni Yildirim for three rounds, forcing the Turkish fighter to quit on his stool before the start of Round 4 Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Alvarez (55-1-2, 37 KOs) put the overmatched Yildirim (21-3, 12 KOs) down with a straight right in the final round.

The Mexican star was defending his WBA and WBC super middleweight titles. He will face fellow beltholder Billy Joe Saunders in a title-unification bout on May 8, it was announced after Saturday’s fight.

Here are the highlights of Alvarez’s knockout.

[lawrence-related id=18180]

Avni Yildirim: Big opportunity, big underdog, big dreams

Avni Yildirim plans to shock the world in his title fight against Canelo Alvarez on Saturday in Miami.

Avni Yildirim’s worst night as a professional fighter occurred on Oct. 17, 2017, when Chris Eubank Jr. landed a brutal left hook to knock out the normally rugged Turkish fighter in three rounds.

And both fans and journalists won’t let him forget it.

That fight is one of many reasons Yildirim is given little to no chance of beating super middleweight titleholder Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (DAZN).

Yildirm is tired of hearing the name Eubank.

“I want to tell you something,” he told Boxing Junkie on Wednesday. “Many of the journalists want to mention Eubank. That was 3½ years ago. After that, I had many fights. If you want to see my performance, come see it on Saturday.

“… I want to show something to people. I’m here. I’m ready.”

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) has had some success post-Eubank. He won five consecutive fights, albeit against second-tier opposition. And, in his most-recent fight two years ago, he lost a 10-round technical decision against Anthony Dirrell – a fight shortened because of a cut above Dirrell’s left eye — for the then-vacant WBC 168-pound title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J512f1Omhg

The Dirrell fight might’ve been Yildirim’s best performance given the quality of his opponent. Two judges scored it 96-94 (six rounds to four) while third had Yildirim up 98-92.

Still, Alvarez has climbed to roughly a 30-1 favorite to win the fight as of Wednesday evening, according to BetMGM. In other words, he’s in roughly the same boat as Buster Douglas against Mike Tyson and, later, Evander Holyfield and Tyson.

Yes, he has a chance, however small.

Yildirim’s nickname – “The Robot” – illustrates his come-forward, offense-oriented fighting style. That approach didn’t work against Eubank and it is unlikely to be effective against Alvarez, a hard, accurate puncher.

Yildirim seemed to acknowledge his limitations when he hired respected trainer Joel Diaz to help him prepare for this fight. Two things jumped out at Diaz immediately: He works hard and he listens, which has led to some improvement.

Perhaps you could call him Robot 2.0.

“When Avni came to me for the first time, I was surprised [by] his boxing ability,” Diaz told ESPN. “He had no defense whatsoever. He was a straightforward fighter, taking punches to give punches.

“We dedicated time to him to teach him more defense, more offense, more movement. … [But] I noticed that he was willing to learn. He never complains in the gym.

“I put him through some of the most extreme exercises and he never says no, he never complains. He’s mentally focused. He knows, in front of us, we have a tough task. With group preparation, we can become victorious.

“I am with him 100% from beginning to end.”

The oddsmakers say a Dolphins jersey will be the only prize with which Avni Yildirim leaves Miami. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

Beginning to end has been quite some time for Yildirim. He became the mandatory challenger not long after David Benavidez stopped Dirrell to win the WBC title in September 2019, after which Benavidez lost the belt on the scales.

Yildirim then stepped aside so Alvarez could fight Callum Smith for the vacant title on Dec. 19 with the understand that Yildirim would face the winner, although he undoubtedly was also paid X amount for his trouble. Alvarez won a one-sided decision.

So now it’s Yildirim’s turn, a chance – however faint – to realize the dreams he’s had since he first stepped into an Istanbul gym at 13 years old.

The oddsmakers and the doubters in general can go you know where. He isn’t showing up simply for a payday and 15 minutes of fame. His plan is to shock the world, a la Douglas and Holyfield.

“I want to accomplish so many things I my life,” he said. “This fight is needed for that. It’s a great chance for me, to reach my goals. I’m not speaking about money. I’m speaking about honor. I want to be remembered as a superstar in boxing.

“I want to be remembered as a great champion.”

[lawrence-related id=18057,18040,17675]

Avni Yildirim: Big opportunity, big underdog, big dreams

Avni Yildirim plans to shock the world in his title fight against Canelo Alvarez on Saturday in Miami.

Avni Yildirim’s worst night as a professional fighter occurred on Oct. 17, 2017, when Chris Eubank Jr. landed a brutal left hook to knock out the normally rugged Turkish fighter in three rounds.

And both fans and journalists won’t let him forget it.

That fight is one of many reasons Yildirim is given little to no chance of beating super middleweight titleholder Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (DAZN).

Yildirm is tired of hearing the name Eubank.

“I want to tell you something,” he told Boxing Junkie on Wednesday. “Many of the journalists want to mention Eubank. That was 3½ years ago. After that, I had many fights. If you want to see my performance, come see it on Saturday.

“… I want to show something to people. I’m here. I’m ready.”

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) has had some success post-Eubank. He won five consecutive fights, albeit against second-tier opposition. And, in his most-recent fight two years ago, he lost a 10-round technical decision against Anthony Dirrell – a fight shortened because of a cut above Dirrell’s left eye — for the then-vacant WBC 168-pound title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J512f1Omhg

The Dirrell fight might’ve been Yildirim’s best performance given the quality of his opponent. Two judges scored it 96-94 (six rounds to four) while third had Yildirim up 98-92.

Still, Alvarez has climbed to roughly a 30-1 favorite to win the fight as of Wednesday evening, according to BetMGM. In other words, he’s in roughly the same boat as Buster Douglas against Mike Tyson and, later, Evander Holyfield and Tyson.

Yes, he has a chance, however small.

Yildirim’s nickname – “The Robot” – illustrates his come-forward, offense-oriented fighting style. That approach didn’t work against Eubank and it is unlikely to be effective against Alvarez, a hard, accurate puncher.

Yildirim seemed to acknowledge his limitations when he hired respected trainer Joel Diaz to help him prepare for this fight. Two things jumped out at Diaz immediately: He works hard and he listens, which has led to some improvement.

Perhaps you could call him Robot 2.0.

“When Avni came to me for the first time, I was surprised [by] his boxing ability,” Diaz told ESPN. “He had no defense whatsoever. He was a straightforward fighter, taking punches to give punches.

“We dedicated time to him to teach him more defense, more offense, more movement. … [But] I noticed that he was willing to learn. He never complains in the gym.

“I put him through some of the most extreme exercises and he never says no, he never complains. He’s mentally focused. He knows, in front of us, we have a tough task. With group preparation, we can become victorious.

“I am with him 100% from beginning to end.”

The oddsmakers say a Dolphins jersey will be the only prize with which Avni Yildirim leaves Miami. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

Beginning to end has been quite some time for Yildirim. He became the mandatory challenger not long after David Benavidez stopped Dirrell to win the WBC title in September 2019, after which Benavidez lost the belt on the scales.

Yildirim then stepped aside so Alvarez could fight Callum Smith for the vacant title on Dec. 19 with the understand that Yildirim would face the winner, although he undoubtedly was also paid X amount for his trouble. Alvarez won a one-sided decision.

So now it’s Yildirim’s turn, a chance – however faint – to realize the dreams he’s had since he first stepped into an Istanbul gym at 13 years old.

The oddsmakers and the doubters in general can go you know where. He isn’t showing up simply for a payday and 15 minutes of fame. His plan is to shock the world, a la Douglas and Holyfield.

“I want to accomplish so many things I my life,” he said. “This fight is needed for that. It’s a great chance for me, to reach my goals. I’m not speaking about money. I’m speaking about honor. I want to be remembered as a superstar in boxing.

“I want to be remembered as a great champion.”

[lawrence-related id=18057,18040,17675]