The Saga of the WBO World Light Heavyweight Title
With Canelo Alvarez announcing that he has decided to relinquish the WBO World Light Heavyweight title, the WBO took to social media to announce an interesting idea to fill the void for the now vacant belt.
Luis Batista Salas, Chairman of the WBO Championship committee has sent an email to Gilberto Ramirez, Eleider Alvarez, Umar Salamov and Maxim Vlasov ordering a four-man tournament. The fighters rank 1st, 4th, 2nd, and 3rd with the WBO, respectively. The winner of this tournament would be crowned the new WBO 175-pound champion.
In the email, Salas and the WBO want two elimination fights. One with Salamov facing off against Vlasov, and the other having Ramirez fighting Alvarez.
The key to this tournament taking place could very well be promoter Bob Arum, head of Top Rank. This order comes three days after Alvarez’s January 18 win over Michael Seals. Before that bout, Arum declared that the winner of Alvarez – Seals would fight Joe Smith, Jr for the vacant WBO belt.
Then there’s the situation with Ramirez. He is at odds with Arum and is trying to buy out his current contract with Top Rank. Would he be willing to let go of his beef with Arum if it meant winning a second world title?
Ultimately, the question is who will get what they desire. Will it be the WBO with their elimination tournament, or the mighty promoter who has something different brewing? Order or not, this matter is far from done. Stay tuned to 3KingsBoxing any further details on this developing situation.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
