WBC Prez: Mayweather is Champion Emeritus Like Klitschko Was
By Ryan Burton
MGM Grand Garden Hotel & Casino - BoxingScene.com caught up with WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman who is in Las Vegas to attend the WBC middleweight title fight between Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan. Sulaiman spoke on a variety of topics including a potential comeback by Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The former WBC welterweight and super welterweight title holder (who held several other WBC titles in the past) recently hinted that his retirement from the sport may be brief and that he may be back in the ring soon.
Mayweather, who retired undefeated with WBC and WBA titles in both aforementioned weight classes, is fully supported by the WBC in whatever decision he makes. Sulaiman said that he would be treated similarly to Vitali Klitschko who after taking nearly 4 years off from the sport was granted an immediate title shot when he returned.
"Well Floyd is an icon and a representation of an era and he has always been the WBC's pride. When he made it clear that he was retiring the WBC appointed him the emeritus champion as we have with Vitali Klitschko and with a few other examples. He is just a tremendous influence. If he stays retired with his family and his money, there are so many things he can do for boxing outside of the ring, he can be a great example for future generations (of boxers) and if he decides to come back he will always have the full support of the WBC," said Sulaiman.
As for a bout against current WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia, Sulaiman said he wants to see if Mayweather really wants to come back before speculating on the potential match up.
"That would be a great fight but I don't know how serious Floyd was. I was happy to see him. He looked good. He put a little weight on him. It seems like he is traveling the world and enjoying himself," Sulaiman told BoxingScene.com in reference to when he was Mayweather who promoted last week's Badou Jack-Lucian Bute WBC super middlweight title fight in Washington DC.
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter
