Mauricio Sulaiman Blocks Dmitry Bivol from Undisputed at Super Middleweight
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman continues to be a roadblock for WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol’s (21-0, 11KO) goal of becoming undisputed. He has now stated that the WBC will not sanction the belt in a rematch with the Russian champion for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s undisputed super middleweight crown.
Alvarez (59-2-2, 39KO) quickly called for a rematch with Bivol under the same condition at light heavyweight after defeating John Ryder on May 6. Bivol shocked the boxing public by defeating the Mexican mega-star in May 2022 and is demanding the fight be for all the belts at super middleweight.
MAURICIO SULAIMAN TO BLOCK WBC BELT FROM CANELO-BIVOL REMATCH
The WBC has taken a stance against sanctioning their belts in fights due to the Russian invasion in Ukraine in 2022. In an interview with Izquierado Boxeo, Sulaiman claimed that a fight between Canelo-Bivol will not be for the undisputed super middleweight crown.
“At this time, no! Because the definition is very clear and has been a constant and consistent position. Bivol has not approached the process that was left open for boxers who wanted to apply to review their specific case. So, at the moment, he cannot participate in a WBC fight.”
Boxing fans should not be surprised by this, as Sulaiman said the same thing about the organization not sanctioning their belt if Bivol was to fight unified champion Artur Beterbiev. The hypocrisy that people continue to point out is the fact that Beterbiev happens to be Russian, and the organization doesn’t seem to have a problem with him holding the belt.
If there is a process of review, Bivol needs to hurry up and apply so either fight for undisputed can get underway.
