WBO refuse interim title sanction request for Archie Sharp vs Albert Bell
The WBO Championship Committee has denied a request by Disrupt Promotions to approve a fight between #1 super-featherweight Albert Bell (25-0, 8KO) and #3 Archie Sharp (24-0, 9KO) for an interim title.
Dominic McKean of Disrupt Promotions was denied his recent request to stage a WBO Interim Championship clash between England's Archie Sharp and America's Albert Bell to determine the mandatory challenger for Emanuel Navarrete’s next title defence. Instead, the parties involved have been granted an opportunity to fight for a WBO regional title instead.
Due to his staus as a “super champion”, Navarrete isn’t required to make a mandatory defence until February 2025.
The Committee indicated they may sanction Bell-Sharp for a regional title if the parties voluntarily agree to do so, and both camps were strongly recommended to keep active in the meantime.
The World Boxing Organisation's response is detailed in full below:
Dear Mr. McKean:
I refer to your correspondence dated November 22, 2023, regarding the subject matter and requesting that the mandatory challenger in the Jr. Lightweight Division be selected and determined by the WBO World Championship Committee according to the current list of the best-classified boxers promulgated by the WBO Ratings’ Committee.
Furthermore, you mention that it is Disrupt Promotions’ intention to arrange a bout between Albert Bell/Archie Sharp. Therefore, you are requesting that the foregoing contest be made for an Interim Championship and/or the winner be designated as the mandatory challenger for Emanuel Navarrete’s next title defense.
Conversely, be advised that Emanuel Navarrete is a WBO “Super Champion” with all the rights and privileges conferred by such designation.
1 One of the privileges afforded by such recognition is the Champion’s extension of mandatory title defense obligations. Moreover, Navarrete has up to 18 months to discharge his mandatory obligation against the mandatory challenger designated and selected by the Championship Committee. Per our records, Navarrete’s last mandatory title defense was against Oscar Valdez on August 12, 2023. Therefore, Navarrete’s next mandatory obligation shall be called no later than February 2025, subject to the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests. Wherefore, based on the pending current timeline to discharge the next mandatory, an interim championship and/or elimination bout is not warranted nor justified.
In other words, no mandatory is due. Consequently, your request is HEREBY DENIED.
Notwithstanding today’s ruling, this Committee may grant sanction approval between the proposed fighters for a regional title, if the parties voluntarily agree to do so.
Lastly, we strongly recommend to both participants to keep active and in compliance with the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.
Respectfully,
Luis Batista Salas, Esq.
WBO Founder
Chairman
Championship Committee
28-year-old "Sharpshooter" from Welling is a former WBO Global super-featherweight titleholder, but hadn't defended the belt in over two years. The south Londoner fought twice in 2023, both times at the York Hall on non-televised events. The talented 135-pounder's career has stalled recently, but if he can keep active in 2024, he could be just one big win away from a world title shot or a lucrative showdown with the likes of Oscar Valdez, Liam Wilson, or even domestic foes such as Jordan Gill, Leigh Wood, Anthony Cacace or Joe Cordina.