[Kurushi]

"After beating Andre Berto earlier this year, Mayweather, who held both of the belts, decided to retire from the sport. Much speculation has raged about which boxers will get the opportunity to challenge for the vacant straps, but speaking at the WBC’s 53rd convention, president Mauricio Sulaiman revealed the future intentions.

“We want the fans to see the eventual champion make his way through a series of fights on television so they will know who he is by the time he wins the belt,†said Sulaiman, per Bob Newman of FightNews.com.

It's suggested in the piece the top 15 fighters in both the welterweight and super welterweight divisions will be petitioned about taking part in the contest. From there, a decision will be made on how many fighters will make up the respective tournaments.

According the FightNews.com, in the super welterweight division, the two top-ranked WBC fighters are Jermell Charlo and John Jackson.

The welterweight class looks a lot more exciting, though, with Amir Khan and Danny Garcia filling first and second, respectively, while the likes of Shawn Porter, Roberto Guerrero and Brandon Rios also feature high up in the rankings."

- Bleacher

:happy

This could be fucking awesome if it comes off as planned.

 

[Nucking Futs]

Great idea but lets face it Khan ain't going anywhere near that.

 

[bballchump11]

I hope the fighters participate

 

[knowimuch]

Maybe this is why Porter-Thurman is pushed back?

 

[Lampley]

It's a brilliant strategy. You create sanctioning fees for non-title fights just to participate in the tournament.

All hail Mauricio! Haha.

 

[JeffJoiner]

Similar to the heavyweight tournament back in the day. This would be great for the sport if the networks and promoters can get on board; something that isn't likely to happen.

I applaud the effort, though. Suliman is doing a good job.

 

[Bogotazo]

Hope it works out. I think Sulaiman honestly wants to help boxing.

 

[JamieC]

Hope it works out. I think Sulaiman honestly wants to help boxing.

Everything points in that direction

 

[Divi253]

Would be great if they can get the top boxers in those weight classes to participate.. Doubting it, but holding some sort of hope.

 

[Kurushi]

We all know that HBO are working with PBC now right? I mean, that's a good sign in itself even if these tournaments don't happen.

 

[bballchump11]

We all know that HBO are working with PBC now right? I mean, that's a good sign in itself even if these tournaments don't happen.

You got confirmation on that or just assuming that because of Hershman's resignation? I hope it's true.

 

[Kurushi]

You got confirmation on that or just assuming that because of Hershman's resignation? I hope it's true.

Last I heard Shafikov (Top Rank) is fighting Barthelemy (Haymon) on Spike. Not quite HBO but almost as good as. Am I out of the loop?

 

[EL MAS MACHO]

Hope it works out. I think Sulaiman honestly wants to help boxing.

What has Sulaiman actually done though? Just a load of hot air so far. This tournament is just an excuse to milk more sanctioning fees rankings and avoid unifications.

 

[okrick]

Last year, Sampson thought a tournament with eight boxers and it wasn't held. Only two matches.

 

[Bajingo]

Last I heard Shafikov (Top Rank) is fighting Barthelemy (Haymon) on Spike. Not quite HBO but almost as good as. Am I out of the loop?

Spike have nothing to do with HBO, that's a PBC show but I think Shafikov is only co-promoted by Top Rank so maybe Haymon's team were able to do the deal with his Russian promoter, or TR just don't have a better opportunity for him and wouldn't outbid Al so just did the deal. I've seen nothing to suggest anyone connected to Haymon being allowed on HBO. But if Mayweather fights again they'll want to bid for it, and all this can change very quickly.

 

[Decy]

Stopped reading at Khan and Garcia being 1 and 2 at Welter.

 

[ThatBoxingGuy2022]

Its too good to be true alot of money will have to be involved for people like Khan to take risks

They should just make number 1 and 2 fight will be easier and more likely to happen

 

[Bogotazo]

What has Sulaiman actually done though? Just a load of hot air so far. This tournament is just an excuse to milk more sanctioning fees rankings and avoid unifications.

This was a fairly proactive start after talking about dreams of unified champions in each division:

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/344907-mauricio-sulaiman-2

Then there was the open obligation for the Cotto-Canelo winner to face GGG:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/10/sulaiman-cotto-canelo-winner-must-face-golovkin/

And now this tournament idea.

I'm sure the WBC benefits, but that doesn't mean boxing can't also.

 

[EL MAS MACHO]

This was a fairly proactive start after talking about dreams of unified champions in each division:

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/344907-mauricio-sulaiman-2

Then there was the open obligation for the Cotto-Canelo winner to face GGG:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/10/sulaiman-cotto-canelo-winner-must-face-golovkin/

And now this tournament idea.

I'm sure the WBC benefits, but that doesn't mean boxing can't also.

It's just talk though. Nothing's been actually done to make unifies champions, and this tournament is another way to avoid them. Making Golovkin interim champ sounds good, but really it's just a way to get another sanctioning fee at MW from an active and well-paid champion. Sulaiman's talk is just PR.

 

[Chinny]

It's just talk though. Nothing's been actually done to make unifies champions, and this tournament is another way to avoid them. Making Golovkin interim champ sounds good, but really it's just a way to get another sanctioning fee at MW from an active and well-paid champion. Sulaiman's talk is just PR.

To be fair to Mauricio he also took the highly unusual step of mandating that his champion fight a rival champ for the good of the sport and called purse bids, until Kathy Duva pulled out, mumbling about exclusive HBO deals.