The WBA Could Be Going “Upgrade” Crazy!
3kingsboxing has learned the WBA has upgraded Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa (20-0, 15ko) from Interim to regular champion. This means that Daniel Roman (27-2-1, 10ko) is being elevated to “Super” Champion and it doesn’t look like these elevations will be slowing down anytime soon.
As a side note, typically Roman would have had to already been the super champion to unify with former IBF champion TJ Doheny in April. However, the WBA granted him “special permission” to unify with only the regular version of their title.
EXAMINING THE RANKING
Analyzing the WBA’s organizational structure, the boxing community should prepare for an abundance of these kinds of regulatory announcements.
Current WBA “Regular” Champions that could soon be elevated to “Super” status are junior lightweight Andrew Cancio, junior Bantamweight Khalid Yafai, Flyweight Artem Dalakian and Minimumweight Thammanoon Niyomtrong (AKA Knockout CP Freshmart).
This also means that there will be a slew of Interim champions elevated to “Regular” championship status. If this sounds confusing, that’s because it is. Hence, why something needs to be done about this.
HURTING THE SPORT
This is watering down the sport and making a mockery of what being a certified champion means.
For example, many boxing purists honestly don’t view the regular title with the same clout as being the main champion. However, the fans feel that it does count for something.
Case in point, Gennady Golovkin’s run tied with legendary boxer Bernard Hopkins’ record of most title defenses. It received serious legitimacy despite the fact that half of those defenses were as the regular champion.
Boxing’s biggest star Canelo Alvarez won the WBA “Regular” title on two occasions. There’s the Super Middleweight title from defeating then-champion Rocky Fielding in 2018, and the Super welterweight title by defeating Austin Trout in 2013. He currently has the accolade of being a three-division world champion (counting the Fielding win).
Now this isn’t to say we should be dismissive of the accomplishments of the fighters. At the end of the day, fighters train hard and sacrifice so much for our entertainment. However, in no shape, form, or fashion should this be anointed with the same glory
HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM
Simply get rid of this process all together, period! It is confusing the fans and makes absolutely no sense at all.
Exactly what purpose does this serve?
The sport was so much more exciting and respectable to watch when there could only be one true champion per division!
By: Garrisson Bland
Be the first to comment