By Jhonny Gonzalez
The WBC President, Jose Sulaiman, is asking junior middleweight champion, Saul "Canleo" Alvarez (36-0, 26KOs), and his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, to respect his organization's ruling on making British boxer Ryan Rhodes (45-4, 31KOs) the mandatory challenger. Sulaiman says the WBC's decision is final. The WBC is giving Golden Boy 30-days to reach a deal for the fight with Rhodes, or a purse bid will be ordered. The fight is tentative for June 18 at World Trade Center, Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico.
Sulaiman said that he spoke with Alvarez, who has no problem with taking the fight with Rhodes. Alvarez won the vacant title in March with a twelve round decision over another British fighter, Matthew Hatton.
"I know Saul and his promoter Golden Boy Promotions, and they must respect the opinion of this agency and I hope they will, because 'Canelo' himself told me he was ready to face the English boxer. Rhodes has not lost in nearly five years. I think it's a tough test because he is a strong opponent, he boxes well and I am sure that it won't be an easy fight for the champion," added Sulaiman to Sal Rodriguez.
"In the event that Golden Boy and the promoter of Rhodes are unable to reach an agreement in the coming days, counting from Tuesday, then a purse bid will be scheduled to select where [the fight] happens, whether it's Mexico, England or America."
