Tag: World Boxing Organization

Tyson Fury calls Oleksandr Usyk ‘some cruiserweight bum’

Tyson Fury, angry that the WBO removed him from its rankings, had a nasty exchange with its president on Twitter.

Trash talk is a little bit like breathing for Tyson Fury. He has to do it. Yet, he hasn’t been able to draw Deontay Wilder into the rhetorical fray since their Feb. 22 rematch was announced about 11 days ago.

That’s a surprise, especially for Wilder, who has never been known not to respond. So far, there’s been silence from Wilder. Maybe training camp is keeping him busy. Maybe a reported bout with the flu has affected his vocal chords. Whatever the reason, there’s been hardly a word.

The restless Fury had to look elsewhere. He didn’t have to look for long.

Fury took a shot, a Twitter taunt, at Oleksandr Usyk, calling him “some cruiserweight bum.’’

Fury was angry that one of the acronyms dropped him from its rankings. Fury has a claim on the lineal heavyweight title, but as far as the World Boxing Organization is concerned, he is persona-non-grata. The WBO exiled him from their rankings when he decided to fight Wilder a second time.

The acronyms do this kind of thing all the time and it’s about as dumb as a franchise belt. But let them explain the unexplainable. As far as Fury is concerned, there is no explanation for Usyk being the No. 1 challenger to a belt held by Anthony Joshua after just one heavyweight fight.

WBO president Paco Valcarcel tweeted that his organization would like to see Fury fight emerging heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan.

Say no more. Fury finally had another Twitter war.

“Maybe if you hadn’t removed me from number 1 ranked WBO! And put some cruiserweight bum with one fight at heavyweight then you could have a say!’, Fury said in a counter.

Valcarcel replied, which he might come to regret. He’s feeding the beast.

Anyway, Valcarcel said: “Champ we respect you a lot, but you aren’t available… that’s the reason WBO removed you from the rankings. By the way champ, good luck.’’

By the way, the real reason for the removal was that a sanctioning fee is not available.

Canelo Alvarez gives up light heavyweight title he won last month

Canelo Alvarez is relinquishing his light heavyweight title, opening the way for him to fight at 160 or 168 pounds in his next bout, in May.

Canelo Alvarez is relinquishing the light heavyweight title he took from Sergey Kovalev, opening the way for him to fight at middleweight or super-middle in his next bout, expected in May.

Canelo, still the reigning middleweight champion, announced the move Tuesday in a statement released by Golden Boy Promotions.

“I know that my accomplishments in the ring have brought pride to my fans and my country,” said Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs), who scored an 11th-round stoppage of Kovalev on Nov. 2 in Las Vegas. “I have long enjoyed my relationship with the WBO (World Boxing Organization) and appreciate all they do to preserve and enhance the sport of boxing.

“This agreement allows the WBO to have its light heavyweight title contested regularly and allows me to pursue bouts against the best opponents, regardless of weight class.”

The move appears to eliminate any immediate chance of Alvarez fighting Artur Beterbiev, who holds two 175-pound belts. Before and after Canelo’s victory over Kovalev, Beterbiev was mentioned as a possibility. And for now, a fight between Canelo and fellow Mexican Gilberto Ramirez, the WBO’s No. 1 ranked contender at 175 pounds, is also off the board. That matchup would’ve been a big event for Canelo’s expected date celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

However, a third fight with middleweight Gennadiy Golovkin still appears to be an option.

Canelo, who has a win and draw against Golovkin, has said he no longer sees Triple-G as a challenge. However, he has also said he would do a third fight if it made financial sense. It is believed that a third fight would be a big money maker. It’s also doable. Both Canelo and GGG are tied to DAZN.

Canelo, 29, has shown no interest in Demetrius Andrade, a 160-pound belt holder, whom he called “boring.’’ Another possibility is Jermall Charlo, another titleholder.