Ring Magazine Middleweight: Vacant

The Ring Magazine has decided (and rightfully so) to strip Canelo of the Ring title. My opinion, if #CaneloGGG fights happen, they will fight for the lineal/Ring title. Thought? Terence Crawford was dominant and impressive as expected in his title-winning welterweight debut against Jeff Horn on Saturday in Las Vegas. However, before we reveal where Crawford lands in the 147-pound rankings and review the other divisional ratings changes of the past week, we present a very special letter from THE RING publisher Stefan Friedman: Dear Ring Readers, When I was first named publisher of The Ring in February, I noted that I would make mistakes as we went through the process of re-imagining the magazine for the 21st-century. After a closer study of the efficacy of hair-follicle testing; re-looking at our past and current drug policies; and speaking with those who have been affiliated with Ring Magazine for decades, I have decided to abide by the Editorial Board’s vote to strip Canelo Alvarez of the Ring Magazine Middleweight championship. To be clear, I personally believe — and know many others who agree — that the evidence to date shows that Canelo did not intentionally take a banned substance. However, that evidence is not conclusive and therefore cannot be used to keep him installed as champion given the suspension handed down by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. At the same time, it has become clear that our drug and PED policies as currently written are antiquated and too simplistic. Editor-in-Chief Doug Fischer and I have started gathering experts to join an advisory board that can help guide us in drafting a policy that will be current and more robust. If, as expected, Canelo’s suspension is lifted in September, it will be up to the Editorial Board where to place him in the Middleweight rankings and/or the pound-for-pound list. As always, I welcome your comments and questions at friedman@******.com Thank you, Stefan Friedman Publisher Source: https://goo.gl/GXn7Gv

Comments (13)

Check GGG's Instagram. It appears they've given him the Ring Magazine belt... not that it means anything anymore... but still, how can it be vacant if they've given it too him?

7y ago

millcitymauler

WBC said the exact same thing actually they have been even more forceful in stating it and the promoter doesn't own them. So far all the belt orgs have backed canelo and his story that evidence leans toward this being unintentional from meat.Good lord, dunny, we are now considering the WBC an honest broker when it comes to controversy surrounding Canelo? They were spouting this crap weeks before Alvarez even had a hearing, or before the investigation even started.

7y ago

KingHippo

They proved it to the NSAC. That's why Canelo got a 6 month suspension instead of 1 year. This isn't someone's opinion. He was only suspended by the NSAC. His levels were consistent with food contamination. Canelo could get a fight with any other commission tomorrow if he wanted.

7y ago

boliodogs

Ring magazine is owned by Canelo's promoter Oscar and that's a big conflict of interest. I consider the title of lineal champ as often useless. There was a time when Spinks was the lineal heavyweight champ when just about everybody considered Tyson the real heavyweight champ. He later proved he was with a 60 second 1st round KO of Spinks. Martinez, Cotto and Canelo all refused to fight GGG and by the time Canelo finally fought GGG most fans considered GGG the true middleweight champ and not Canelo Cotto and Canelo had been defending their WBC middleweight title at catchweights below 160. Canelo beat Cotto for the WBC middleweight title at a catchweight of 155 and then defended it against Khan at a catchweight of 155 so he is no lineal champ to me. If Canelo and GGG rematch the lineal title will be at stake and GGG is the defending lineal champ. GGG is the real lineal champ in my opinion and if a middleweight beats him then he becomes the new lineal champ.

7y ago

bigjavi973

The Ring Magazine has decided (and rightfully so) to strip Canelo of the Ring title. My opinion, if #CaneloGGG fights happen, they will fight for the lineal/Ring title. Thought? Source: https://goo.gl/GXn7Gv transnational rankings are the way to go.... they been removed him once he won vs cotto and then went back down to 154 lbs vs smith

7y ago

RC8555

So they vacate the belt and canelo is unranked while serving suspension. As soon as suspension is over (late aug) they rank him again likely number 1 at worst 2. If canelo/GGG happens in Sept the Ring champion is on the line in Sept like nothing happened. lol Also lineal status has nothing to do with RING and can't be stripped by RING or any belt org. So Lineal champ status will be on the line in Sept regardless what RING does. I agree that the Ring is not the Lineal

7y ago

Mammoth

Good. He already should have been stripped.

7y ago

DuckAdonis

As it should be

7y ago

bigdunny1

"To be clear, I personally believe — and know many others who agree — that the evidence to date shows that Canelo did not intentionally take a banned substance." This is why Ring should be looked at as an entertainment rag, and not a standard bearer for the industry. It's not "clear" that Alvarez took clenbuterol unintentionally, as Friedman states. When your promoter owns the most recognizable print publication, there is a serious conflict of interest at play. WBC said the exact same thing actually they have been even more forceful in stating it and the promoter doesn't own them. So far all the belt orgs have backed canelo and his story that evidence leans toward this being unintentional from meat.

7y ago

pillowfists98

"To be clear, I personally believe — and know many others who agree — that the evidence to date shows that Canelo did not intentionally take a banned substance." This is why Ring should be looked at as an entertainment rag, and not a standard bearer for the industry. It's not "clear" that Alvarez took clenbuterol unintentionally, as Friedman states. When your promoter owns the most recognizable print publication, there is a serious conflict of interest at play. They proved it to the NSAC. That's why Canelo got a 6 month suspension instead of 1 year. This isn't someone's opinion.

7y ago

millcitymauler

7y ago

bigdunny1

7y ago

chrisJS

Too much of a mess was made of it. The rules were clear and then broken and now they have gone back to the rules and done the right thing.

7y ago