Tag: WBC

Canelo Alvarez on Feb. 27 foe: ‘Avni Yildirim is a good boxer’

Canelo Alvarez has made it official, announcing that he will defend his 168-pound titles against Avni Yildirim on Feb. 27 in Miami.

It’s official.

Canelo Alvarez has announced that he will defend his super middleweight titles against Avni Yildirim on Feb. 27 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the home of the Miami Dolphins.

The fight will be streamed on DAZN.

Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) has said his goal is to unify the 168-pound titles but he must get past Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) first.

“Avni Yildirim is a good boxer, and I know we will put on an exciting fight,” said Alvarez, who won two belts when he easily outpointed Callum Smith on Dec. 19. “I’m very glad that we are able to bring this event to Miami, a short distance from where my hero, Muhammad Ali, trained. February 27 will be a great night for the sport.”

Said Eddy Reynoso, Alvarez’s manager and trainer: “On February 27, we take the next step in our journey to unify the Super-Middleweight division. We will be facing our WBC mandatory opponent, Avni Yildirim.

“We are very happy with the alliance we have with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom to put on this bout together, especially in a new venue for us.”

Alvarez will be fighting in Miami for the second time. He stopped Raul Pinzon in a welterweight bout there in 2008.

Yildirim will have been out of the ring for two years when he fights Alvarez. He last fought in February 2019, when he lost a 10-round technical decision to Anthony Dirrell.

The WBC’s No. 2 contender, from Turkey, understands the opportunity he will have on Feb. 27.

“I am honored as a mandatory to fight again for the big green belt. Thank you to everyone who is involved,” he said. “I always give my all, and everybody should be ready to see a war. I am coming to make my country proud. I am representing the whole of Turkey.”

Canelo Alvarez on Feb. 27 foe: ‘Avni Yildirim is a good boxer’

Canelo Alvarez has made it official, announcing that he will defend his 168-pound titles against Avni Yildirim on Feb. 27 in Miami.

It’s official.

Canelo Alvarez has announced that he will defend his super middleweight titles against Avni Yildirim on Feb. 27 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the home of the Miami Dolphins.

The fight will be streamed on DAZN.

Alvarez (54-1-2, 36 KOs) has said his goal is to unify the 168-pound titles but he must get past Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) first.

“Avni Yildirim is a good boxer, and I know we will put on an exciting fight,” said Alvarez, who won two belts when he easily outpointed Callum Smith on Dec. 19. “I’m very glad that we are able to bring this event to Miami, a short distance from where my hero, Muhammad Ali, trained. February 27 will be a great night for the sport.”

Said Eddy Reynoso, Alvarez’s manager and trainer: “On February 27, we take the next step in our journey to unify the Super-Middleweight division. We will be facing our WBC mandatory opponent, Avni Yildirim.

“We are very happy with the alliance we have with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom to put on this bout together, especially in a new venue for us.”

Alvarez will be fighting in Miami for the second time. He stopped Raul Pinzon in a welterweight bout there in 2008.

Yildirim will have been out of the ring for two years when he fights Alvarez. He last fought in February 2019, when he lost a 10-round technical decision to Anthony Dirrell.

The WBC’s No. 2 contender, from Turkey, understands the opportunity he will have on Feb. 27.

“I am honored as a mandatory to fight again for the big green belt. Thank you to everyone who is involved,” he said. “I always give my all, and everybody should be ready to see a war. I am coming to make my country proud. I am representing the whole of Turkey.”

WBC president won’t say who is actual 135-pound champion

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman wouldn’t clear up confusion over who is the sanctioning body’s actual 135-pound champion.

This is how ridiculous the WBC title structure is: Its president won’t say who the lightweight champion is.

The sanctioning body has three 135-pound titleholders – Teofimo Lopez (“franchise”), Devin Haney (standard) and Ryan Garcia (“interim”), which is confusing enough. It gets more frustrating, though.

Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that Lopez is the undisputed 135-pound titleholder after he unified all four major titles with his victory over then-franchise beltholder Vasiliy Lomachenko on Oct. 17.

However, the WBC lists Devin Haney as it’s lightweight champion, which is also what Haney claims.

Sulaiman has confirmed that Lopez is undisputed champion but declined to address the question of who is the real WBC titleholder when he appeared on DAZN’s The Ak & Barak Show.

“Teofimo Lopez is the undisputed lightweight champion,” Sulaiman said. “And whoever beats Teofimo, if there is someone who beats him, he must be called undisputed.

“I have spoken with Devin and his father. … The franchise designation was created recently by the WBC. The idea and purpose is to provide the best fights for the fans. And I’m very happy that this year, in the lightweight division, that was achieved.

“Through the franchise naming, we got to see the fight between Teofimo and Lomachenko, and we saw Devin Haney recovering from his injury to fight [Yuriorkis] Gamboa. We also saw Ryan Garcia against Luke Campbell.

“I understand the confusion with the belts and perhaps the frustration. But we take the path of watching the best fights. I respect Haney, I’m very proud of him, I’m very close to him, and it’s just a matter of all of them getting in the ring and forgetting all of that discussion on social media.

“Get in the ring and show who is the best. That’s what everyone wants to see.”

Does that clear things up? Didn’t think so.

[lawrence-related id=17027,17004,16980]

WBC president won’t say who is actual 135-pound champion

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman wouldn’t clear up confusion over who is the sanctioning body’s actual 135-pound champion.

This is how ridiculous the WBC title structure is: Its president won’t say who the lightweight champion is.

The sanctioning body has three 135-pound titleholders – Teofimo Lopez (“franchise”), Devin Haney (standard) and Ryan Garcia (“interim”), which is confusing enough. It gets more frustrating, though.

Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that Lopez is the undisputed 135-pound titleholder after he unified all four major titles with his victory over then-franchise beltholder Vasiliy Lomachenko on Oct. 17.

However, the WBC lists Devin Haney as it’s lightweight champion, which is also what Haney claims.

Sulaiman has confirmed that Lopez is undisputed champion but declined to address the question of who is the real WBC titleholder when he appeared on DAZN’s The Ak & Barak Show.

“Teofimo Lopez is the undisputed lightweight champion,” Sulaiman said. “And whoever beats Teofimo, if there is someone who beats him, he must be called undisputed.

“I have spoken with Devin and his father. … The franchise designation was created recently by the WBC. The idea and purpose is to provide the best fights for the fans. And I’m very happy that this year, in the lightweight division, that was achieved.

“Through the franchise naming, we got to see the fight between Teofimo and Lomachenko, and we saw Devin Haney recovering from his injury to fight [Yuriorkis] Gamboa. We also saw Ryan Garcia against Luke Campbell.

“I understand the confusion with the belts and perhaps the frustration. But we take the path of watching the best fights. I respect Haney, I’m very proud of him, I’m very close to him, and it’s just a matter of all of them getting in the ring and forgetting all of that discussion on social media.

“Get in the ring and show who is the best. That’s what everyone wants to see.”

Does that clear things up? Didn’t think so.

[lawrence-related id=17027,17004,16980]

WBC plans to lower cruiserweight limit from 200 to 190

The WBC plans to lower the cruiserweight limit from 200 to 190 pounds as part of adding its new “bridgerweight” division.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman plans to make another change just below the heavyweight division.

First, he announced the creation of what he’s calling “bridgerweight,” between the current cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. The weight limit will be 224 pounds, which he says will serve smaller heavyweights who can’t compete with the division’s behemoths.

And, now, he says he plans to lower the cruiserweight limit from 200 pounds to 190 in time, meaning those between 191 and 224 will be the parameters of the new weight class.

The cruiserweight limit was raised from 190 to 200 a decade ago.

“We are eventually looking into moving it back to 190 pounds,”Sulaiman told Pro Boxing Fans. “[WBC cruiserweight titleholder Ilunga] Makabu just called me. He’s preparing for his title defense at 200 pounds but … he can do … 190 pounds.

“It’s a continuous effort to see what is more reasonable, but not be unjust to a fighter who has been competing in that weight. We’re talking to all cruiserweights and heavyweights. There’s also a good universe of fighters that have been calling to see if they can be rated in the division.

“We’re looking at maybe doing 20 fighters ratings instead of the 40 that we have in each division, but it’s all going to depend. Rankings are [based] upon merit and quality and that’s something that will not be changed.

“In December, we’re going to have the rankings for bridgerweight.”

It’s not clear whether the other sanctioning bodies will follow the WBC’s lead in creating the new division and lowering the cruiserweight limit.

“Bridger” is named for Bridger Walker, a 6-year-old who was injured protecting his sister from a dog attack. The name “super cruiserweight” has been floated as a long term option.

WBC plans to lower cruiserweight limit from 200 to 190

The WBC plans to lower the cruiserweight limit from 200 to 190 pounds as part of adding its new “bridgerweight” division.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman plans to make another change just below the heavyweight division.

First, he announced the creation of what he’s calling “bridgerweight,” between the current cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. The weight limit will be 224 pounds, which he says will serve smaller heavyweights who can’t compete with the division’s behemoths.

And, now, he says he plans to lower the cruiserweight limit from 200 pounds to 190 in time, meaning those between 191 and 224 will be the parameters of the new weight class.

The cruiserweight limit was raised from 190 to 200 a decade ago.

“We are eventually looking into moving it back to 190 pounds,”Sulaiman told Pro Boxing Fans. “[WBC cruiserweight titleholder Ilunga] Makabu just called me. He’s preparing for his title defense at 200 pounds but … he can do … 190 pounds.

“It’s a continuous effort to see what is more reasonable, but not be unjust to a fighter who has been competing in that weight. We’re talking to all cruiserweights and heavyweights. There’s also a good universe of fighters that have been calling to see if they can be rated in the division.

“We’re looking at maybe doing 20 fighters ratings instead of the 40 that we have in each division, but it’s all going to depend. Rankings are [based] upon merit and quality and that’s something that will not be changed.

“In December, we’re going to have the rankings for bridgerweight.”

It’s not clear whether the other sanctioning bodies will follow the WBC’s lead in creating the new division and lowering the cruiserweight limit.

“Bridger” is named for Bridger Walker, a 6-year-old who was injured protecting his sister from a dog attack. The name “super cruiserweight” has been floated as a long term option.

Canelo Alvarez, Avni Yildirim given more time to make title fight

Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim will have more time to make their unlikely title fight.

Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim will have more time to make their unlikely title fight.

The WBC announced Tuesday that will give the fighters 15 more days to reach a deal before the matchups goes to a purse bid.

“Understanding the current situation of WBC Franchise champion, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the WBC in good faith extends 15 days and for a final time the purse offer ceremony for the Alvarez vs Yildirim fight, for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight title,” the WBC statement read.

The WBC ordered the fight for its vacant super middleweight title on Aug. 18 and a purse bid hearing was scheduled for Sept. 21. However, because no progress had been made, it pushed back the date to Oct. 6.

There has been no indication whether representatives for Alvarez and Yildirum have had serious talks.

Alvarez is in a legal battle with his promotional company (Golden Boy) and streaming service (DAZN), which makes it difficult to put together a title fight.

And DAZN reportedly refused to stream the prospective fight before Alvarez ignited the legal battle by filing a lawsuit for alleged breach of contract. The suit was dismissed because of a technicality but later refiled, although the sides reportedly have been negotiating a compromise.

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) is ranked No. 1 by the WBC. He was expected to fight then-beltholder David Benavidez if Benavidez beat Roamer Angulo in August. However, Benavidez lost the title on the scales before the fight.

The WBC later ordered Yildirim and Alvarez to fight for the vacant title.

[lawrence-related id=14013,13024,12994,13690]

Canelo Alvarez, Avni Yildirim given more time to make title fight

Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim will have more time to make their unlikely title fight.

Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim will have more time to make their unlikely title fight.

The WBC announced Tuesday that will give the fighters 15 more days to reach a deal before the matchups goes to a purse bid.

“Understanding the current situation of WBC Franchise champion, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the WBC in good faith extends 15 days and for a final time the purse offer ceremony for the Alvarez vs Yildirim fight, for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight title,” the WBC statement read.

The WBC ordered the fight for its vacant super middleweight title on Aug. 18 and a purse bid hearing was scheduled for Sept. 21. However, because no progress had been made, it pushed back the date to Oct. 6.

There has been no indication whether representatives for Alvarez and Yildirum have had serious talks.

Alvarez is in a legal battle with his promotional company (Golden Boy) and streaming service (DAZN), which makes it difficult to put together a title fight.

And DAZN reportedly refused to stream the prospective fight before Alvarez ignited the legal battle by filing a lawsuit for alleged breach of contract. The suit was dismissed because of a technicality but later refiled, although the sides reportedly have been negotiating a compromise.

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) is ranked No. 1 by the WBC. He was expected to fight then-beltholder David Benavidez if Benavidez beat Roamer Angulo in August. However, Benavidez lost the title on the scales before the fight.

The WBC later ordered Yildirim and Alvarez to fight for the vacant title.

[lawrence-related id=14013,13024,12994,13690]

Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirim purse bid pushed back to Oct. 6

The WBC pushed back the Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirim purse bid to Oct. 6

A prospective — and unlikely — title bout between Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim is still alive.

The WBC ordered the fight for its vacant super middleweight title on Aug. 18 and a purse bid hearing was scheduled for Sept. 21. However, because no progress has been made, the sanctioning body pushed back the date to Oct. 6.

If Alvarez and Yildirim can’t arrange the fight by then, any promoter could bid for it.

“The WBC is officially confirming the postponement of the purse offer ceremony for the Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim fight for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight championship,” the WBC said in a statement. “The new date has been set for Tuesday, October 6 and will be conducted on an open video conference.”

The potential matchup is fraught with problems.

Alvarez is in a legal battle with promotional company (Golden Boy) and streaming service (DAZN), which makes it difficult to put together a title fight.

And DAZN reportedly refused to stream the prospective fight before Alvarez ignited the legal battle by filing a lawsuit for alleged breach of contract, which raises the question: Who would televise or stream it?

Alvarez remains under contract with DAZN. Could he possibly fight on another platform?

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) is ranked No. 1 by the WBC. He was expected to fight then-beltholder David Benavidez if Benavidez beat Roamer Angulo last month. However, Benavidez lost the title on the scales before the fight.

The WBC later ordered Yildirim and Alvarez to fight for the vacant title.

[lawrence-related id=13024,12994]

 

Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirim purse bid pushed back to Oct. 6

The WBC pushed back the Canelo Alvarez-Avni Yildirim purse bid to Oct. 6

A prospective — and unlikely — title bout between Canelo Alvarez and Avni Yildirim is still alive.

The WBC ordered the fight for its vacant super middleweight title on Aug. 18 and a purse bid hearing was scheduled for Sept. 21. However, because no progress has been made, the sanctioning body pushed back the date to Oct. 6.

If Alvarez and Yildirim can’t arrange the fight by then, any promoter could bid for it.

“The WBC is officially confirming the postponement of the purse offer ceremony for the Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim fight for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight championship,” the WBC said in a statement. “The new date has been set for Tuesday, October 6 and will be conducted on an open video conference.”

The potential matchup is fraught with problems.

Alvarez is in a legal battle with promotional company (Golden Boy) and streaming service (DAZN), which makes it difficult to put together a title fight.

And DAZN reportedly refused to stream the prospective fight before Alvarez ignited the legal battle by filing a lawsuit for alleged breach of contract, which raises the question: Who would televise or stream it?

Alvarez remains under contract with DAZN. Could he possibly fight on another platform?

Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs) is ranked No. 1 by the WBC. He was expected to fight then-beltholder David Benavidez if Benavidez beat Roamer Angulo last month. However, Benavidez lost the title on the scales before the fight.

The WBC later ordered Yildirim and Alvarez to fight for the vacant title.

[lawrence-related id=13024,12994]