Domino Effect Of Canelo's Defeat To Bivol: Potentially Losing WBC Franchise Champion

Canelo Alvarez in his last duel against Dmitry Bivol (Instagram @matchroomboxing)

JAKARTA - An external decision could lead to the World Boxing Council (WBC) removing Saúl Canelo lvarez from the title of 'franchise champion' he received in 2019.

The reason is, Teofimo Lopez's victory over Vasyl Lomachenko made the Honduran-born fighter proclaim himself the undisputed lightweight world champion, even though the WBC lightweight title belonged to Devin Haney who beat George Kambosos on Saturday.

Haney relinquished the title of the Kambosos franchise, which beat Teofimo, stating instead that the belt was of no value at all. Thus, the only franchise champions held by the WBC are Canelo Alvarez and Francisco "Gallo" Estrada, so the WBC can stop this recognition, due to the difficulty of providing legitimacy.

Quoted from Marca, Tuesday, June 7, if this happens, the WBC will withdraw the appointments to both Canelo and Gallo, on the table. Maybe the decision won't affect the Mexican fighter too much, as he won't be fighting at the 160 pound class anymore.

How did Canelo Alvarez become the WBC "Franchise Champion"?

In June 2019 Canelo was reclassified as a newly created WBC franchise before his undisputed 160-pound title win. However, this caused confusion, because at the same time the interim title holder Jermall Charlo was elevated to the status of world champion.

"A franchise champion is a special designation and status that the WBC can give to the current WBC world champion, who is also an elite boxer and who has achieved and maintained the highest status in the sport," the WBC attempted to justify.

“The WBC may, by two-thirds of the board of governors vote, designate in each heavyweight a WBC franchise champion. A franchise champion will enjoy special status with respect to his obligations, holding multiple titles and competing for the title champion title of another organization, as determined by the WBC board of governors on a case-by-case basis....

"The WBC bestows this honor on champion (Canelo) Alvarez for his many accomplishments, which have positioned him as one of the world's leading boxing attractions, and given his undisputed boxing career linked to our organization," he added.

The appointment was granted with the approval of the organization, the fighter himself and his then promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, even though it meant Canelo would not become a WBC world champion.