Champion Rene Santiago launches legal battle to dispute WBA stripping him over injury

Unified junior-flyweight champion Rene Santiago has formally objected to the WBA arranging a bout for a now-vacant belt following Santiago’s reporting of an elbow injury.

In a letter crafted by Santiago’s attorney, Antonio S. Gonzalez of Florida, Puerto Rico’s Santiago, 16-4 (9 KOs), questions being left out of the process and why the WBA did not move to arrange an interim title fight instead of declaring Santiago a champion in recess.

“Mr. Santiago respectfully submits that administrative discretion is best exercised through transparent application of the association's published rules,” attorney Gonzalez wrote in a Wednesday letter to the WBA. “Decisions affecting vested championship rights should clearly identify the governing provisions, explain the interpretation adopted, and demonstrate why the selected remedy is authorized and appropriate under the circumstances.

“Mr. Santiago did not relinquish his championship, refuse a mandatory defense, or fail to cooperate with the WBA. His temporary inability to compete resulted solely from a documented injury sustained while preparing to fulfill his obligations as world champion. The resolution itself contemplates his return and preserves his right to compete upon medical clearance.”

The events are especially troubling to some observers because the new title fight is between Santiago’s originally scheduled September 2 opponent, top-ranked Daiya Kira of Japan, and second-ranked Carlos Canizales, 28-3-1 (20 KOs), of Venezuela, the native country of WBA President Gilberto Mendoza.

Kira and Canizales are set to fight for the WBA 108lbs belt September 2 in Yokohama, Japan, .

The WBO is not recognizing Kira-Canizales as a title fight.

“[A WBA] rule expressly recognizes the status of an 'inactive champion' and provides for an interim championship during the champion's temporary absence,” attorney Gonzalez wrote to the WBA. “The resolution instead designates Mr. Santiago as 'champion in recess' and orders a contest for the world championship. Respectfully, the resolution does not identify the rule or official interpretation authorizing those distinctions.”

A boxing official reviewing the matter said none of the other three sanctioning bodies would effectively strip an injured champion who has effectively communicated their situation, and position that now-ex-champion to have to fight a winner to regain their belt.

Gonzalez continued, “Likewise, the resolution does not explain how [WBA rules] were interpreted together, nor why alternative procedures available under the championship rules, including extensions or special permits where applicable, were not considered before adopting the most consequential remedy available.

“Mr. Santiago respectfully submits that administrative discretion is best exercised through transparent application of the Association's published rules. Decisions affecting vested championship rights should clearly identify the governing provisions, explain the interpretation adopted, and demonstrate why the selected remedy is authorized and appropriate under the circumstances.”

Two WBA officials did not immediately respond to messages left them by BoxingScene Friday.

Santiago previously informed the WBA he’ll be ready to fight later this year.

“For these reasons, Mr. Santiago respectfully requests that the [WBA] championships committee reconsider [its resolution] or, alternatively, issue a supplemental reasoned decision identifying the legal authority supporting the designation of 'champion in recess,' the recognition of a new world champion rather than an interim champion, and the interpretation of [WBA rules] relied upon by the Committee,” Gonzalez wrote.