For years, boxing has been dominated by a handful of sanctioning bodies, creating a landscape where multiple belts often dilute the meaning of true championship status.
Saudi Boxing Chief Turki Alalshikh has been at the forefront of reshaping the sport, using his influence and financial backing to ensure the biggest fights happen. However, his recent involvement in the Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull fight build-up has sparked controversy, particularly regarding the absence of the WBC belt during their face-off.
The WBC belt’s absence raises eyebrows
During the official face-off between Canelo Alvarez and William Scull, scheduled for May 3 in Saudi Arabia, Alalshikh was positioned between both fighters, holding the undisputed and Ring Magazine belts. Notably missing from the display was the green and gold WBC belt.
When someone suggested adding it, Canelo seemingly requested that it be excluded. Due to a possible language barrier, it remains unclear whether Alalshikh had deliberately left it out or if the omission was unintentional. Regardless, the incident has reignited discussions about the importance of sanctioning bodies in boxing.
Canelo and Scull’s fight is set to include all four major belts after Alvarez was stripped of the IBF title last year. The fight also sets the stage for a potential mega-bout against Terence Crawford in September, where undisputed status would once again be on the line.
Boxing legends weigh in
Following the incident, boxing icon Juan Manuel Marquez shared his perspective. The former WBC super featherweight champion emphasized the significance of defending all four titles, criticizing the prioritization of the Ring Magazine belt.
“Canelo is an undisputed champion; he needs to defend all four titles,” Marquez said. “The Ring Magazine belt is not good for the fight. Canelo needs to defend the four titles.”
The debate over the WBC belt extends beyond Marquez’s comments. In a 2023 interview, WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán voiced his frustration over the growing emphasis on the Ring Magazine title, calling it a business-driven move that undermines the sport’s credibility.
The future of boxing’s belt system
Alalshikh’s growing influence in boxing, including his partnership with TKO Holding-the parent company of UFC and WWE-suggests a potential shift in how champions are recognized. With the creation of a new boxing league that aims to have a single champion per division, the traditional four-belt era may be at a crossroads.
Trainer Robert Garcia, caught between his loyalty to WBC and gratitude toward Alalshikh for providing his fighters with career-defining opportunities, expressed a balanced perspective:
“Turki is changing a lot of fighters’ lives and putting on the biggest fights, but the WBC also has a point,” Garcia said. “It’s hard to take sides, but I support both.”
As boxing enters a new phase, the battle between traditional sanctioning bodies and Alalshikh’s vision for the sport is only beginning. Whether the four-belt era will survive or give way to a more unified system remains to be seen.
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