Froch, Nelson Shake Heads at WBC's "Franchise" Champ Label

Back in June, the World Boxing Council elevated Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez to the status of "franchise champion."

Canelo was the WBC's middleweight champion. Taking his place as the "full" champion was Jermall Charlo, who held the WBC's interim-title at 160-pounds.

Because Canelo is now the "franchise champion," he is not bound to make mandatory defenses or comply with other obligations as a world champion. Basically he can do whatever he wants. Even if defeated, the winner would not obtain the "franchise champion" status. 

From the moment of the announcement, both the WBC and Canelo have received a mountain of criticism.  

The sport of boxing is already in world title turmoil - as the WBA has as many as three champions in a single weight division.

Now the WBC has opened up a wide door for additional confusion, by introducing a new status that many fear will create further damage to the sport.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman argues that a "franchise champion" is simply an honorable "status" within the organization and should not be recognized as a new world title.

However, at the same time Sulaiman states that a "franchise champion" is indeed a WBC world champion with additional benefits.

Having said that, there are now two WBC champions at middleweight - with Canelo and Charlo.

"There are fighters who define an era. Those few who make the sport gain worldwide attention. Champions like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. These icons of the sport were in a league of their own. Today, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is a major force in boxing worldwide. He is fighting in a variety of weight categories, he is fighting the most important fights possible and he is trying to give the fans the best fights," Sulaiman said to Sky Sports.

"The designation of franchise champion will allow him to comply with such priorities without putting his status of WBC world champion in jeopardy. The WBC spent several years trying to design such a designation and we feel very comfortable that it will be positive for the sport in general. This is not a new championship, a new belt or a new title. It is simply a designation to a WBC champion giving him a variety of options to be able to be the best."

Carl Froch, a former WBC super middleweight champion, joins the long list of fighters and pundits who disagree with the new franchise direction.

"I don't think it's good for the sport. It confuses the armchair fan who we're trying to get into boxing and it slips politics in the way of making fights happen. The best don't always fight the best. I disagree with it all, to be honest," Froch told Sky Sports.

Former cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson is also against the WBC's franchise direction.

"It's a step too far, where you think 'Come on! What are you doing?' You're devaluing your product. It's a way to have two roles, two paths, two worlds, two different forms of existence without them having to meet," Nelson said.