Interview: Matt Christie
BN: After Artur Beterbiev’s win over Anthony Yarde, is the WBC now enforcing Callum Smith’s mandatory position?
First of all, what a great fight. I was delighted to witness such an engaging, action-packed fight. Yarde deserves all the recognition. He was very brave and hit Beterbiev like no one had ever hit him before.
Callum Smith is a must-have for WBC and he must be Beterbiev’s next step.
BN: Do you ever try to enforce a ‘unification’ war instead, a fight for the sake of the sport, like the most certain Beterbiev-Bivol?
I don’t like speculation. WBC has made it clear that they will accept mandatory WBO [Yarde] to go first and now WBC is required to go next. We have not received any correspondence for anything different.
BN: Are you actively trying to make sure that each sanctioning agency has their ‘turn’ in situations like this?
We are trying to build the best relationships [with rival bodies] for sport and to get the system right. Unfortunately, the agreements have broken down but we are still active. We are planning face-to-face meetings between the four organizations as there are many pressing topics related to ‘unified’ or ‘undisputed’ champions; it becomes very complicated. The imperative concept works perfectly, perfectly, when there is no unified champion but when a champion has two or more belts, the concept of imperative gets in the way. We’ve seen abuse from that system, we’ve seen fighters rush into forced positions [by rival organisations] when they are not the best candidate. But we all have different rules and agendas. We, at WBC, are doing our best to make sure we all understand.
BN: Definitely clearer with a set of ratings. Too many organizations?
I think it doesn’t matter. WBC was born 60 years ago and we have done a lot for the sport. The IBF and WBO were formed as outbreak organizations from the WBA. The situation is that the TV networks ask the promoters to compete for the championship, then the promoters look around and support the establishment of new organizations. The truth is that there are four accredited organizations but there are many more out there. You can make one tomorrow, nothing can stop it.
It’s up to the fans to decide who the true champions are, which organizations to give history, authority, and legitimacy to be up to. I can only speak for WBC, but I can proudly say that we are a leading organization worldwide.
BN: So is the source of frustration the number of titles and organizations that make it hard for those fans to follow the sport?
Yes, it’s difficult. Real boxing fans all understand but for casual and new fans it’s much more difficult [to follow]. It’s just a matter of doing better PR campaigns, making things better. But boxing is a unique sport. It doesn’t have the structure of other sports where one league controls everything, the fixtures, the TV and the business. In boxing, everything is separate. WBC does not control business, television rights, sponsorship.
Another thing boxing suffers from is constant paranoia. The media is so paranoid about everything – that bad decision, that bad act. In other sports, everything is positive from the media. They want to see their sport develop. If we all work together as such an industry, we [boxing] will move forward. Boxing has always suffered from that negativity.
BN: It’s fair to say, but when you’ve been into boxing for a long time and follow it your whole life, it’s easy to get bored with the sport when it keeps making the same mistakes. We all want it to be the greatest sport on the planet… For example, the case of Conor Benn does not shed light on the sport. How far have you read the 270-page document he submitted to the WBC to prove his innocence?
We had very positive, quick communications. It is a highly legal matter and I cannot speak on the subject. What I can say is, for the first time, in face-to-face communication and I believe things will be quick when the information becomes clearer. We always believe in the innocence of athletes until they are proven guilty. I’ve known the Benn family for many years and I just hope this gets resolved quickly.
BN: In your opinion, is it worrisome that the British Boxing Supervisory Board [BBBofC] or UK Anti-Doping [UKAD] do not have the same document?
That is part of the process. I cannot speak on behalf of BBBofC or UKAD. It is being handled with care and professionalism but it is a complicated matter.
BN: Should the WBC act faster when it discovers the results of the first failed test?
I don’t want to say more about this at the moment and I’m sorry, I’ve always wanted to answer things. But this is beyond my control for legal reasons, I apologize.
BN: I understand. It’s early morning in Mexico, what will the next day look like for you, head of WBC?
With WhatsApp and email, you can’t escape! I have had discussions about [Ilunga] The Makubu-Badou Jack fight will take place in February on the Jake Paul-Tommy Fury card in Saudi Arabia. I spoke with Beterbiev-Yarde’s supervisor, I had an hour-long zoom meeting with my office to plan the whole week, and after this interview is over, I have a Zoom meeting with three other sanctioning bodies. At the office, I have meetings with current and former WBC champions and another journalist comes to talk to me about 60order WBC anniversary. Then I have a work lunch, an appointment at the bank and whatever else happens, like phone calls and urgent matters. It’s a long process every day!
BN: So what are your top priorities when you talk to the WBA, IBF and WBO?
To confirm a reciprocal commitment. We have three options: We can manage our own procedures regardless of what other institutions do and see who has the most muscle; we can agree to look at things on a case-by-case basis; or we can agree to a reciprocal agreement where the individual decisions of each organization will be respected. [For example] If I have ordered a fight involving one fighter, another organization must not order another fight for the same fighter. We are looking at how we can have common imperative challenges because [otherwise] Undisputed champions have to live their whole lives to make mandatory defenses, and that’s when titles are lost.
