Nate Campbell vacates WBA title

WBO / IBF Lightweight Champion Nate Campbell has elected to vacate the WBA Lightweight Super Champion Title. Campbell, (32-5-1, 25 KOs) issued the following statement regarding his decision: “I really wanted to try and unify the lightweight titles, but looking at reality, it just isn’t going to happen, at least not in 09. Not that I’m looking past my Feb. 14th IBF mandatory with Ali Funeka, because I’m not. Funeka deserves, and unfortunately for him, he will get my full and undivided attention. But there just isnt any way I see that I would be able to do my WBA mandatory defense against Paulus Moses, or whoever has the regular title then. After Feb. 14, I really hope to fight the Juan Manuel Marquez - Juan Diaz winner next, and then right after that I have a WBO mandatory due with Barerra. So there’s no way I can fullfill my mandatory obligation to the WBA. So rather than pay sanction fees on it for the next few fights, knowing full well I wont be able to defend it without giving up my WBO belt, (which I won’t do), I decided to just go ahead and vacate the WBA title now. I still have the desire to someday unify all the belts, but I also have to balance that desire against the reality of the sport these days. There just arent enough opportunities to fight in order to maintain all the titles. Besides, if I do get the Marquez-Diaz winner next, then any and all debate about who the “real” lightweight champ is will be over once and for all. And after that, if my choice of mandatories is between Barerra or Moses, well no disrespect to Moses, but thats really a no-brainer. I do appreciate the WBA having recognized me as their Super Champion, and this decision in no way is a reflection on their organization.” Other champions should take note. Campbell makes excellent choices, its a shame he hasnt gotten to fight for forever. thanks a lot, Guzman.

Comments (11)

HOMETOWNCHAMP

this means guzman is going to become the full champ without even having to fight nate. It seems kinda unfair but i guess its for the best.

17y ago

Johnny_Awesome

He is always interesting lol. What does he have like seven kids? I will never forget when he stuck his chin out for Peden. He was on his way to the win and just blew it. I love him lol.

17y ago

Johnny_Awesome

This shows that Campbell has his eyes on the prize and has a sound team around him. Smart choice and I hope to see him as the king of the division by years end.

17y ago

MJ406

Nate Campbell is my favorite fighter in and outside of the ring, and its a shame that Boxing Politics and overweight fighters have kept him out the ring this long and cost him his time and made him unable to keep all the belts like he wanted. he's fighting next month, can't wait to see it.

17y ago

DiegoFuego

He still has two of them and the mandatories are piling up. He has a big money mandatory with Marco Antonio Barrera after Funeka so beating up on Barrera will mean more $$$ down the line. It's expensive to hold onto the belts. that's true. sanctioning fees must be a bitch because plenty of guys have refused to pay them. plus Nate is in debt, right? I hope Nate gets to whoop Barrera's ass and get a fight with Marquez

17y ago

Mr_Ryan

I like Campbell, but he's gotta realize the belts are his only bargaining chip. Better to keep as many as possible right now. He still has two of them and the mandatories are piling up. He has a big money mandatory with Marco Antonio Barrera after Funeka so beating up on Barrera will mean more $$$ down the line. It's expensive to hold onto the belts.

17y ago

THe_TRiNiTY

Campbell holds on to the belt that will get him his biggest fights, and his best opponents. Good for him.... Still, he's an ass.

17y ago

DiegoFuego

I like Campbell, but he's gotta realize the belts are his only bargaining chip. Better to keep as many as possible right now.

17y ago

2501

Well, JMM wants him too so there shouldn't be an obstacle (besides money or a loss to Diaz)

17y ago

The_Gambler1981

That is a pretty good career plan. Funeka on HBO, winner of JMM-Diaz I would figure would also be on HBO and then against MAB well HBO might not buy that fight but he should still get a nice reward. If he can win all of them, then I don't know who he would fight after but he would have gained a lot of stature in boxing so no one would really be out of the question.

17y ago

MANGLER

Good move. He won all the belts and didn't lose, so with or without the WBA strap he's still #2 at 135 behind JMM. I hope he gets a unification match wit the JMM-Diaz winner.

17y ago