The World Boxing Council has now created a new World Champion status to add to the confusion over all the belts, with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez now being named WBC’s “Franchise Champion”.
The WBC is awarding that honor upon Champion Canelo due to his many accomplishments which have positioned him as major worldwide attraction in boxing.
Canelo also holds the crowns of the IBF and WBA middleweight versions. He has represented the WBC for 11 years with outstanding results in his professional career.
The WBC explained their reasoning in connection with this decision which only heightens the confusion among all those who follow the sport.
“The Franchise Champions belt is a special designation and status that the WBC confers on a current WBC World Champion, who is also an elite boxer who has achieved and maintained the highest status and level in the sport,” WBC said in a statement.
“The WBC gives this honor to Champion Alvarez due to his many accomplishments that have positioned him as a major worldwide boxing attraction and in light of this for his linked to our organization during his irreproachable boxing career.” WBC added.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has represented the WBC for 11 years with outstanding results in his professional career.
The WBC has highlighted some conditions for the “Champion Franchise”:
- The Franchise Champion will be designated as WBC Emeritus Champion once he retires from boxing.
- The Franchise Champion designation is exclusively by appointment of the WBC Board of Governors by a majority vote of the board.
- This designation is not transferable and is exclusively to the fighter who receives such designation.
- The Franchise Champion will proudly represent the WBC in every single fight as a reigning WBC champion, regardless of any specific conditions or titles being associated with all future fights. WBC rules and regulations will govern under the traditional conditions of boxing in the Franchise champion fights. WBC will approve through the franchise champion promoter every opponent scheduled to fight.
- The WBC may recognize a WBC champion in the division or divisions where the Franchise champion currently competes.
- Franchise Champion agrees to participate in a minimum of two social responsibility events every year, organized and in conjunction with the WBC.
