WBC Declares Cotto Is No Longer WBC Middleweight Champ

The WBC threw a sharp haymaker, it looks like, at Miguel Cotto, days away from his superfight against young Mexican gunner Canelo Alvarez.

The sanctioning body, based in Mexico, sent out a release, announcing that they are no longer recognizing Cotto as WBC world middleweight champion.

He has held that belt since the summer of 2014, when he wrested it from Sergio Martinez.

Here is the WBC release:

The World Boxing Council worked tirelessly through a process that began over two years ago to secure the celebration of the highly anticipated fight between Miguel Cotto and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. The WBC is proud of that accomplishment that is giving boxing fans around the world a very important fight to see.

After several weeks of communications, countless attempts and good faith time extensions trying to preserve the fight as a WBC World Championship, Miguel Cotto and his promotion did not agree to comply with the WBC Rules & Regulations, while Saúl Alvarez has agreed to do so.

Accordingly, the WBC must rule on the matter prior to the fight. The WBC hereby announces that effective immediately has withdrawn recognition of Miguel Cotto as WBC World Middleweight Champion. If Saul “Canelo” Alvarez wins the fight against Cotto, he will be recognized as the WBC middleweight world champion.The WBC’s decision is premised on the fact that Miguel Cotto and his camp are not willing to abide by the governing WBC Rules & Regulations, and the specific conditions the WBC established to sanction the fight.

Simply put: they are not willing to respect the very same rules and conditions which applied to Cotto becoming WBC champion. The WBC wishes Miguel Cotto the best of luck as we truly regret the course of action which led to them taking such decision.

The WBC is a non-profit governing organization founded 53 years ago. The WBC has implemented all of the current rules in the sport, paving the way to a much safer boxing. The WBC creates, implements and enforces, its Rules & Regulations to bring safety, order, unity, justice and equality to a sport that was marred with abuse and unfairness. Since the first day of existence of our organization, the WBC has taken countless actions for the protection of the boxer and it is a fact that most if not all boxers dream of conquering the green belt.

The WBC stands by its honorability and will not participate in the abuse of power and greediness, which has taken our boxing world to regrettable actions from different parties. The WBC wishes the promotion great success and we are satisfied that this great fight for boxing will be enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.

The WBC didn’t specify how Cotto didn’t comply. Did he refuse to pay a quite healthy sanctioning fee? I checked, and asked WBC boss Mauricio Sulaiman for specifics. “Cotto and Roc Nation as well as Alvarez and Golden Boy had to sign the agreement to abide by the WBC ruling, including the payment of fight cerification fees,” he told me.

So, we wonder how the chips might fall on this matter. If Canelo (ranked No. 1 by WBC, Jorge Heiland is No. 2, Arif Magomedov No. 2) wins, he has the belt. If not, the belt is now up for grabs.

Or is it?

Gennady Golovkin is the WBC “interim” champ and has waited with exceeding patience for a crack at the “real” crown. Maybe the WBC will simply transfer the “real” belt to him, if Cotto beats Canelo. That makes sense…but this is boxing..and life…how often does what makes sense occur?

Follow @Woodsy1069

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV