By Carlos Irusta

CARLOS BALDOMIR defeated Zab Judah on February 7, winning the WBC and WBA belts in the process. But, did he really win both belts? The answer is no. During the TV broadcast in Argentina, Sebastián Contursi, a journalist with ESPN and a contact for the WBA in Argentina, placed a call to the TV station announcing that the WBA will recognize the winner as champion.

LAST WEEK, the WBA decided not to recognize Baldomir as champion. According to Championship Committee, the problem was that the sanctioning fee was not paid. The sanctioning fee is a 3% of the fighter's purse. According to the WBA rules, “Sanctioning fees, authorization and contracts must be sent to the World Championship Committee Director, at least, 30 days before the fight”.

BALDOMIR TOLD the press that he would not pay the sanctions. Three days after the Baldomir-Judah fight, Sycuan Ringside Promotions (the Baldomir promoter) established: “Neither the IBF or WBA established contact with us or Carlos Baldomir to pay the sanction fees"” In the same document, Sycuan says: “Sycuan is ready for to make the payments”. But the WBA, in a press release signed by Sebastian Contursi, states that “WBA can’t accept a payment out of time, especially since the Muhammad Ali Act clearly states that the payment can’t be made by the promoters without the consent of the boxer. And the money for the fee must be paid from the boxer's purse.

BoxingScene will be in contact with Carlos Baldomir in few days to get his opinion. But it’s difficult not to think of the strange coincidence. When a new unified champion is crowned, he loses recognition from two organizations and the boxing world keeps going.