WBC: Keith Thurman contender for Errol Spence

In view of the failure of negotiations to fully unify welterweight, mandatory defenses for Errol Spence Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) came into force again. The WBC has nominated its candidate for the championship title.

Previously Jaron Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs) turned to the IBF leadership with a request to oblige the champion to conduct a mandatory defense. And tonight, the World Boxing Council announced its contender, which was the former welterweight king Keith Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs), occupying the first line of the rating.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the WBC announced that their applicant must receive the first mandatory protection. If Spence decides to face Ennis before Thurman, the WBC will take the title from him.

“The time has come for the mandatory defense of the WBC,” said Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the World Boxing Council.