By Miguel Rivera
This past Saturday night at the Polyforum Zam Na in Merida, Yucatan - Miguel Berchelt (29-1-0 26 KOs) captured the WBO's interim-super featherweight world championship with a brutal sixth round knockout of Englishman George Jupp (13-3 with 4 KOs), who took the fight on late notice.
Berchelt was initially scheduled to face WBO super featherweight champion Roman 'Rocky' Martinez, who withdrew last week with a hand injury. Zanfer Promotions, who staged the card with Max Boxing, quickly secured Jupp, who was ranked at #3 by the WBO, on late notice.
Promoter Fernando Beltran of Zanfer submitted a request to sanction Berchelt-Jupp for the WBO's interim-super featherweight championship. The approved the request on the basis that the winner will now have to face Martinez, once he fully recovers, in a mandatory bout.
According to Puerto Rico Best Boxing, who promote Martinez (29-3-2, 17 KO's), the champion will have to take a break from training for at least four weeks time. Dr. Jose M. Santiago Figueroa, a hand surgeon and an orthopedic surgeon, said Martinez had bruised his left hand and was suffering from tendinitis in the same area.
Berchelt now wants the WBO to step in and stay true to their word by ensuring that Martinez fights him. Besides Martinez, Berchelt wants all of the top names at super featherweight like WBC champion Francisco Vargas, Orlando Salido and others.
"Well I think the WBO has to do what is appropriate at this point. I think (Martinez) has me face me. I'm going for the absolute championship. I prepared for the absolute championship but his injury [happened], but I want face the best...whether it's 'Rocky' Martinez, 'Bandido' Vargas, 'Siri' Salido, I think that's a big step for my career. I want to go for great achievements and big purses," Berchelt said to ESPN Deportes.
