Comments Thread For: WBA's Mendoza Welcomes Change, Unity in The Sport

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Ben Jacobs - Gilberto Mendoza Jr. has learned to have thick skin. As Vice-President of the World Boxing Association [WBA], critics, both fans and some media alike, tend to direct their displeasure with decisions in the sport of boxing towards the leaders of the respective governing bodies, with the WBA being a particular target in recent years due to the proliferation of title belts.

Mendoza recently met with his World Boxing Council [WBC] counterpart Mauricio Sulaimán to discuss a number of subjects of concern for the most prestigious governing bodies and, to look for solutions to problems which arise, not limited to anti-doping issues, judges' scorecards and, as Mendoza explained to BoxingScene, the issue of being able to create a unified world champion for each weight class.

Despite the professional rivalry, and the perception from some that the respective leaders of each organization may be at odds with each other for one reason or another, Mendoza detailed the positive relationships with his counterparts at the WBC, World Boxing Organization [WBO] and the International Boxing Federation [IBF]. [Click Here To Read More]

[BattlingNelson]

The main concern should always be the integrity of our sport. Always keep that in mind when rules and regulations are being made.

I am happy that steps are taken to enhance the chance of undisputed champions. Also measures to fight PED abuse. Id like there to be installed some kind of pension fund for former Champions and contenders.

As for the PEDs I think a fairly simple measure can be set up. As soon as you a boxer enters the top 15 and becomes eliglible for a titleshot, he should at the same time be eliglible for random testing. Furthermore champion and challenger should produce a scheme of whereabouts in the final 8-12 weeks before a titlefight thereby making it easy to go through with unannounced random testing. I think an organization of the size and prestige of the WBA should make more than 500 random tests every year.

Financing such a scheme can probably only come from the revenue generated from the titlefights.

So be it.

For the integrity of the sport.

[starjammer]

Good article by Ben Jacobs and good ideas, BattlingNelson.

[Eastcoast]

Lol, the WBA president is advocating that Peterson/Garcia be a WBC/IBF unification and also be for the vacant WBO title!

One problem with a unified champion that they're advocating for, is going to be the sanctioning fees. If every org is taking 5% of a fighter's purse there's going to be guys out there not too happy for giving up 20% of their purse just because they've earned the right to be champion.

That's one advantage I give to the Haymon plan of setting up their own league and creating a true champion within that league - no financial penalty for being the champ.

[TBear]

I agree with BattlingNelson's suggestions.


Any one else would have rather heard Mendoza use the word
"unify" rather than "unity" ? Clarification of rules would not be better for the sport than a clarification of champion.

[bigjavi973]

it was good until he started talking about the belts not needed to be defended blah blah blah... they are now just covering their ass for the whole peterson losing twice and still being champion debacle and garcia not even making weight for his past two "title", cough cough, non title.... ya get where I'm going with this. sanctioning bodies

[OnePunch]

Lol, the WBA president is advocating that Peterson/Garcia be a WBC/IBF unification and also be for the vacant WBO title!

One problem with a unified champion that they're advocating for, is going to be the sanctioning fees. If every org is taking 5% of a fighter's purse there's going to be guys out there not too happy for giving up 20% of their purse just because they've earned the right to be champion.

That's one advantage I give to the Haymon plan of setting up their own league and creating a true champion within that league - no financial penalty for being the champ.

If they do ultimately have a "PBL World Title", you can bet your house that they will be charging a sanctioning fee.......

[Hougigo]

How is the guy talking about the good of unity when he has 3 champions for his own organization?

Also talking the reason the 140 unification can't happen because Garcia can't make weight... why is he keeping his belt then? You guys talk unity, but it can never happen if a guy who holds two of them can't make weight

[BattlingNelson]

How is the guy talking about the good of unity when he has 3 champions for his own organization?

Also talking the reason the 140 unification can't happen because Garcia can't make weight... why is he keeping his belt then? You guys talk unity, but it can never happen if a guy who holds two of them can't make weight

Knowing that the alphabet boys is all about money, then I wanna see changes before I believe them. Still the AIBA challenge might have created a new situation.