The WBC currently seems keen on picking and choosing what to communicate to the public when it comes to fights they announce. Though the sanctioning body was able to clearly announce the Shakur Stevenson vs. Frank Martin, they have yet to confirm the reports indicating that Frank Martin pulled, or the reports which point out towards Edwin De Los Santos as Stevenson’s potential next opponent.
The quality of information provision by the WBC is steadily becoming a problem. On the 6th of September, the WBC announced that Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KO’s) and Frank Martin (18-0, 12 KO’s) would be fighting for the vacant WBC lightweight title.
These announcements are par for the course given the fight was supposedly a mandate; though they had never officially put out the mandate through their official communication outlets including their main website.
For roughly a week, rumors have swirled of Frank Martin pulling out, however this was only revealed by Top Rank [the promoter of Stevenson] officials. Frank Martin and his associates including his promoter/management company the PBC never verified whether he had actually pulled out, though it is generally assumed he did based on the reports that have surfaced; none of which identified the WBC as a source.
The WBC’s inability to clarify Martin’s withdrawal from the Stevenson fight is a serious problem and present a number of issues that have not yet been addressed, including:
- A lack of clarity: The absence of official confirmation from the WBC only leads to confusion within the boxing community and among fans. Without clear information, it becomes challenging to understand the status of the fight and what to expect.
- Impact on other fighters: Uncertainty regarding one fighter’s status can affect other fighters and their preparations. Potential opponents for Shakur Stevenson, such as Edwin De Los Santos in this case, might be left in limbo, unsure of whether they will have a title shot or not.
- Loss of credibility: The credibility of the WBC as a governing body can be compromised when they do not provide timely and accurate information about their sanctioned fights. This can erode trust in their decisions and their ability to oversee the sport effectively
- Fan frustration: Boxing fans rely on accurate and up-to-date information to follow the sport. When there is a lack of transparency, fans can become frustrated, and their enthusiasm for the sport may diminish.
- Impact on promoters: Promoters invest time and resources in promoting fights. If they are uncertain about the status of a fight due to a lack of communication from the WBC, it can disrupt their promotional efforts and potentially lead to financial losses.
- Loss of interest: Boxing is a spectator-driven sport, and fans’ interest wanes when they are not given the information they seek. This can affect viewership, attendance, and revenue generated from boxing events.
- Legal and contractual Issues: In some cases, the lack of confirmation about a fighter’s withdrawal can lead to legal and contractual disputes. Promoters, fighters, and management teams may have contractual obligations that depend on the WBC’s decisions, and uncertainty can lead to legal challenges.
- Perception of favoritism: When sanctioning bodies appear to handle situations differently for different fighters or promoters, it can lead to allegations of favoritism or bias, which can damage the sport’s integrity.
Subsequently, after the supposed Martin pullout, reports surfaced of Edwin De Los Santos (16-1, 14 KO’s) becoming Stevenson’s next opponent. However, as the Stevenson-Martin bout was a mandate by the WBC, it would be presumed logical that De Los Santos being picked as a prospective opponent for Stevenson to face would be announced by the WBC themselves.
As a sanctioning body, it falls under their jurisdiction to announce any updates on title fights that they have mandated or approved. In fact, with nearly every single title fight involving one of body’s belts [minor titles or not]. the WBC rarely neglects to announce any developments that occur with these fights.
But as it pertains to who Shakur Stevenson will fight next, the WBC has been dead-silent on this matter and refused to put out any press release or report on what is set to occur. As Stevenson is rumored to fight Edwin De Los Santos for the sole vacant WBC lightweight title, it would be only natural to confirm whether talks were taking place, or at least confirm whether Martin withdrew from the title fight for the WBC lightweight title.
The lightweight division is an important division in boxing at the moment given the amount of talented fighters fighting at that weight class. With the WBC lightweight title currently being vacant, it remains the only title not in possession by the previous undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KO’s).
Sorting out a new champion with this vacant WBC title would naturally draw interest towards a fight between a new WBC lightweight champion and WBA, WBO and IBF lightweight champion Devin Haney, as that fight would be for undisputed. However, the WBC seems inattentive of these facts and prefer to postpone any announcement when it comes to their own organization’s vacant belt.
It is just another case of how the WBC, when left to their own devices, continue to stagnate the development of boxing, and adds to a number of questionable decisions they have made over the past couple of years.
It also shows their clear lack of transparency and responsibility to boxing as a whole, by purposefully keeping silent on important matters such as the resolution to decide a new WBC lightweight champion. They also neglect to hold any boxer accountable that may hold up a division as a result of their actions. In the case of Frank Martin, their refusal to confirm whether he withdrew or not may prevent other fighters from having the opportunity Martin had if his withdrawal is not communicated.
There might be a case of the WBC communicating with Stevenson’s and Martin’s parties, but without any press release on this matter, a fighter that is not involved with either fighters’ promotions would not know whether to petition the WBC for an opportunity to fight for the vacant title, if there is no information that confirms what is happening.
Presumably, Edwin De Los Santos is currently in talks with Shakur Stevenson but it is important to note that he is linked to the same management company as Frank Martin, the PBC. It seems that when it comes to the PBC, the WBC has no issues in allowing them to continue negotiations without even considering any other contender on their lightweight rankings as a new opponent for Shakur Stevenson.
This manner of not being transparent seems to blatantly withhold fighters tied to other promotions of an opportunity to fight Stevenson, and for the vacant WBC title. Jamaine Ortiz (17-1-1, 8 KO’s), for example, is a Top Rank fighter who is ranked one spot below De Los Santos, but he likely did not receive any notice of Martin officially pulling out which would enable him to petition for a fight.
The same goes for #9-ranked Raymond Muratalla (18-0, 15 KO’s) on the WBC’s lightweight ranking boards. He is also a Top Rank fighter and was not informed of Frank Martin’s supposed withdrawal.
These continuing problems only seem to reinforce the belief that the WBC favors PBC fighters in some shape or fashion, and would, in this case, indicate corruption or favoritism.
Evidently, regardless of what the WBC’s motives are, they continue to be a problem in boxing with their lack of transparency, alleged corruption and inconsistency when it comes to communicating important developments.
And as can be seen in the case with Jermall Charlo, the WBC middleweight champion who has not fought for over two years, boxing does not seem to thrive when the WBC displays an inability to promote and develop the sport.
