By: Sean Crose
It seems that the WBA is happy to let its “super” welterweight player Errol Spence face off against former player Keith Thurman. “The World Boxing Association (WBA),” the organization announced, “as it continues to develop its plan to reduce the world title, has taken the next steps in the welterweight class. After a thorough review of the situation, it was determined that Errol Spence Jr., WBA Super Champion, would be specially licensed to take on Keith Thurman, while the champion of the category, Eimantas Stanionis, would be against Vergil Ortiz.”
Unintelligible sound? That is. Unfortunately, the WBA has decided to go crazy for the title in recent years. That means that while Stanionis may be the WBA world champion, Spence is the WBA “super” champion. Understood? Of course not. How can any sane person not necessarily? It’s commendable that the WBA is at least trying to streamline things a bit. In the end, by pitting winner Spence-Thurman against winner Stanionis-Ortiz, there should really be a list of legitimate WBA welderweight champions. It shouldn’t be that complicated, but again, thanks to the WBA for trying to work things out here.
“On November 14, 2022,” the WBA explained, “TGB Promotions asked for special permission on Spence’s behalf to play Thurman in February 2023.” The WBA ruling made Spence’s life easier, as the World Boxing Council – where Spence also holds the welterweight belt (along with the IBF welterweight belt) – ordered Spence to fight against Thurman. Until the WBA’s verdict, Spence is forced to face the next Stanionis to keep this WBA belt. “Under WBA rule C.16,” WBA announced, “stipulates that mandatory defense times may be modified for reason, upon request for special authorization, or on its own initiative. himself, the WBA has decided that Spence can face Thurman.”
In a sense, a Spence-Thurman war has been going on for a long time. Back when Thurman seemed to be on top of the world, he didn’t seem to care much about the rising Spence. Likewise, since Spence currently heads the department while Thurman is mostly retired, he doesn’t show much interest in facing the man known as “Once”. However, the aftermath of the Crawford negotiations may have changed all that.
