Rhodes in Limbo After WBC's Decision on Alvarez-Hatton

By Phil D. Jay

Former European light-middleweight champion Ryan Rhodes has been left wondering what he has to do to get his world title shot after Saul Alvarez and Matthew Hatton were given the opportunity to fight for the vacant WBC 154-pound title, which Rhodes is ranked as the number one contender for.

Rhodes, 34, defeated Jamie Moore in an eliminator for a shot at the title in October 2009. When champion Sergio Martinez vacated the title in 2010, due to his title win at 160-pounds, it was preceived that Rhodes would be first in line for his expected chance.

Boxing clout in America seemed to sway the decision with Top Rank requesting for Manny Pacquaio’s bout with Antonio Margarito at a catch-weight of 150lbs in November of that year, to have the vacant title on the line, which “Pacman” duly claimed in a one-sided fight.

The Filipino southpaw then vacated the title himself earlier this month and once again Rhodes was expected to be comeone of the chosen fighters to go head to head for the vacant title. Rhodes had treaded water defeating Rocky Junior while Pacquiao went in the ring Margarito.

Amazingly, one of America’s big time boxing promoters came calling again, in Golden Boy Promotions, and it seems Rhodes will have to bide his time once more, in the hope that he gets a crack at the winner of Alvarez-Hatton, who fight on March 5th at the Honda Center in California.

Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net