WBO President Gustavo Oliveiri: Interim Champ at Cruiserweight No Longer Necessary
Earlier today, Fightnews.com reported that the scheduled WBO Interim Cruiserweight title fight between Roman Fress and Tommy Punch (Tahir Kahrovic) had to be post-poned due to an injury suffered by Kahrovic. That development, along with the fact that WBO/WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is scheduled to defend against reigning WBC/WBA light heavyweight champion David Benavidez on May 2nd, prompted the WBO to withdraw the interim title sanction from the rescheduled Fress-Kahrovic bout. Here’s what President Oliveiri had to say on his X account about that decision…
“In light of WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez’s scheduled return to the ring on May 2 against David Benavidez, the circumstances that initially gave rise to the ordering of an Interim Championship contest (due to the Champion’s unavailability due to injury) are NO longer present.
Additionally, the WBO has been formally advised that one of the athletes scheduled to compete for the Interim Cruiserweight Championship has suffered an injury. In consideration of these developments, the continuation of the previously ordered Interim Championship bout is NO longer warranted.
Accordingly, the WBO hereby terminates the previously scheduled Interim Cruiserweight Championship contest, effective immediately.
The Championship Committee will assess the status of the division and determine the appropriate next steps regarding the mandatory challenger position in due course, in strict accordance with WBO regulations.
The WBO reaffirms its unwavering commitment to its ONE (1) World Champion per weight class policy, while upholding fairness and competitive integrity within the Cruiserweight Division.”
When prompted to explain the validity of the WBO interim light heavyweight title, held by Callum Smith, Oliveiri was quick to respond:
“Kindly note that the Interim title 175 lbs was authorized as result of Beterbiev’s unavailability due to injury at the that particular time. Upon his return, the Bivol Unification would override the mandatory. Thereafter Bivol suffered an injury and still pending a return bout.”
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