WBC explains why Beterbiev can defend his title

World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaiman recently explained why his organization is not banning their world light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev moving forward with a planned summer unification with the WBO champion Joe Smith at Madison Square Garden in New York. Beterbiev is also the holder of the IBF world title.

Suleiman explained that Beterbiev was going to fight like a Canadian after several sanctioning bodies banned Russian boxers from title fights after the invasion of Ukraine.

“We will not sanction fights in Russia, and not a single Russian citizen will fight for the titles of our organization,” Suleiman said.

“Beterbiev has been in Canada for 15 years, he lives in Canada, his children were born in Canada, he has a Canadian passport and a residence permit in Canada, as well as a boxing license from Canada. So the WBC is evaluating this particular case as we speak. We believe in what the world is doing, but we must also look at specific cases and seek justice."

Suleiman also stated that his organization's mandatory light heavyweight contender Yevgeny Romanov would not receive a title fight yet, but would retain his status.

“We have several (Russian) WBC Silver Champions and they won’t be able to defend their title. They will be put on pause,” Suleiman added.

While the WBA also ostensibly follows a similar policy while the occupation of Ukraine continues, the WBA approved the fight between WBA light heavyweight champion Dmytro Bivol and Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez on May 7 in Las Vegas.