The WBC has mandated that multiple big named fighters take big challenges!
3kingsboxing.com has learned the World Boxing Council intends to bring some big match-ups involving a few of their champions in the near future!
Many of the orderings have been highly anticipated by fans for quite sometime.
The Orderings
Current rankings may be off as the September list is still in progress
Featherweight
(Champion) Gary Russell Jr vs (Diamond Champion) Leo Santa Cruz – Russell defeated undefeated and highly respected contender Joseph Diaz handily in May. However, he is known for staying inactive for long periods before fights. Santa Cruz defeated Abner Mares in a rematch in June. This bout would be a unification match Santa Cruz has been looking forward to since losing to Russell in the amateurs.
Junior Middleweight
(#1) Julian Williams vs (#2) Erilandy Lara – Williams is coming off a twelve round majority decision win over Nathaniel Gallimore in April. Lara lost a razor-thin split decision in a unification bout against Jarrett Hurd in April also.
Super Middleweight
(#2) Anthony Dirrell vs (#5) Avni Yildirim – Dirrell easily defeated Abraham Han in April. He was in talks to return against WBC champion David Benavidez, however, finds himself in a possible elimination bout after Benavidez failed a drug test. Yildirim defeated Lolenga Mock by majority decision in September.
Lightweight
(Champion) Mikey Garcia vs (#1) Luke Campbell – Unified champion Mikey Garcia has recently agreed to adhere to the IBF ordering of Richard Commey. We will have to see which option he plans to choose after this announcement. Campbell avenged the first loss of his career against Yvan Mendy in September which catapulted him into the mandatory position.
Welterweight
(Champion) Shawn Porter vs (N/A) Keith Thurman 2 – Porter claimed the WBC belt vacated by Thurman with a split decision victory over Danny Garcia in September. Thurman has been out of the ring since March of 2017. He is rumored to return in December to take a tune-up before jumping into a major bout.
Middleweight
(#1) Gennady Golovkin vs (Interim Champion) Jermall Charlo – Golovkin suffered his first career defeat to Canelo Alvarez by split decision in September and lost the WBC crown. Charlo defeated Hugo Centeno Jr by second round knockout in April.
Junior Welterweight
(#2) Adrian Broner vs (#4) Jorge Linares – Broner is still ranked pretty high after not registering a win since February of 2017. His last bout was a draw against Jessie Vargas in April. Linares made his junior welterweight debut against Abner Cotto in September. In addition, he put one in the win column with a third round knockout after losing lineal status at lightweight to Vasyl Lomachenko.
Fan reaction will definitely be interesting as there are several curve balls on this list!
By: Corey Cunningham & EJ Williams
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