David Benavidez lined up next for the winner of Canelo vs Charlo
World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman spoke to Gambling.com about how he expects Canelo vs Charlo on September 30 to be a great Mexico vs USA battle and revealed that David Benavidez will be installed as the WBC mandatory challenger for the winner.
The 53-year-old WBC leader also praised YouTuber KSI's dedication to boxing and talked about being open to introducing VAR to boxing.
Here's the full interview below:
Canelo Alvarez is in action on September 30 – what’s your thoughts on the fight?
MS: “It is a great fight. It is something very interesting. Undisputed super middleweight and undisputed super welterweight. Great rivalry between Mexico and USA – history says great fights come from these combinations and I don’t think it will be different. It will be a great, tough fight for both.”
Where does Canelo rank in terms of greatest Mexican fighters?
MS: “He’s still making his legacy. He is an active boxer but without a doubt he is up there with the greats of the history like Julio Cesar Chavez and Erik Morales, there’s so many great fighters that have come from Mexico. He’s a great among the greatest.”
Mandatory challenger for Canelo?
MS: “David Benavidez. He is the interim champion. He is mandatory contender for the WBC. Benavidez’s term for the mandatory status is in March, 2024. It will absolutely be a great fight.”
Are KSI, Fury and the Pauls making a mockery of the sport?
MS: “I like to support everything that is positive for boxing. KSI is a responsible fighter. He goes to the gym and he trains to do it respectfully. The WBC supported KSI against Logan Paul many years ago with an amateur belt. Then we have gone on and supported Jake Paul. This KSI and Tommy Fury fight is interesting. Fury defeated Paul and he is now fighting KSI, but they did not request any WBC convention so we are not part of this event.”
Other projects?
MS: “We are concentrating on officials, judges, referees, implementation and technology, women’s boxing and of course security. The fact that there is going to be a 12 round three minute fight for a woman is a horrible attempt to go against the safety of boxing but this is the life we live in where people make decisions. The lack of authority, the lack of respect to the rules is a very delicate situation and unfortunate.”
VAR in boxing?
MS: “Many things (we are working on). Regarding officiating, instant replays, review of fights and results, training, top officials, boxers’ training and using technology. We are very much ahead and will be presenting everything at the WBC convention in November.”
Dubois appeal?
MS: “We have a WBC event where we review. It is a thorough process and we go on and make a decision. It is not a WBC fight (Usyk vs Dubois), it is not a WBC review. It would be irresponsible and a lack of respect if I provided my opinion as it is not a WBC matter.”
Mauricio Sulaiman explains why the WBC won't force Tyson Fury to face a mandatory contender
Article sponsored by HÖRFA