World Boxing Council (WBC) Presiden Mauricio Sulaiman was not surprised when Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vacated the light heavyweight world title of the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Last month, Canelo moved up by two weight classes to score a knockout of Sergey Kovalev in eleven rounds to capture the WBO title in question.
Not many had expected Canelo to stick around at 175, since the top boxers at the weight are much bigger and much stronger than him. Most are expecting him to drop down to the super middleweight division of 168-pounds.
Canelo still holds the WBA "regular" title at super middleweight. And he holds the WBA world title at 160-pounds. The WBC view Canelo as their "Franchise" champion at middleweight - which allows Canelo to compete in any weight class and retain that distinctive title regardless of the outcome of his fights.
Sulaiman believes Canelo should return to the middleweight limit of 160-pounds.
“I think the best thing would be is for him to return to the middleweight division, since competing in the super middleweight or light heavyweight division is going to give a big advantage [to his opponents]. They all criticize Canelo but they shouldn't because he is a great athlete who only pursues ways to raise the name of our country,” said Suilamán to Heraldo.
Alvarez was nominated by many outlets for two separate awards - "Boxer of The Year For 2019" and "Boxing of The Decade." As far as the "Boxer of The Decade" honors, Canelo is competing against the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Wladimir Klitschko and Andre Ward.
"Saul will be distinguished as a franchise boxer [with the WBC], and those are the fighters who compete in different divisions," said Sulaiman.