Canelo Alvarez has a new title to add to his collection and the opposition will have to beat him twice in order to take the strap.
The new rule, 3.26 of the WBC Rules and Regulations, speaks to the designation “Franchise” Champion. Alvarez who holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles will now hold the distinction of WBC Franchise champion.
Below are the rules as published by Boxingscene.com on Wednesday.
1. The Franchise Champion will be designated as WBC Emeritus Champion once he retires from boxing.
2. The Franchise Champion will proudly represent the WBC in every single fight as a reigning WBC champion, regardless of any specific conditions or titles being associated with all future fights. WBC rules and regulations will govern under the traditional conditions of boxing in the Franchise champion fights. WBC will approve through the franchise champion promoter every opponent scheduled to fight.
3. Franchise Champion agrees to participate in a minimum of two social responsibility events every year, organized and in conjunction with the WBC.
4. The WBC may recognize a WBC champion in the division or divisions where the Franchise champion currently competes.
5. The WBC may award a Diamond Championship belt in those fights in which the Franchise Champion engages. If the Franchise Champion loses, the winner will receive the Diamond belt and may be considered as mandatory contender of the division.
Canelo currently shares the designation of WBC middleweight champion with Jermall Charlo. Charlo defeated Hugo Centeno in April 2018 to becomes the WBC “interim” middleweight titlist while Canelo defeated Gennady Golovkin in September 2018 to become the WBC world middleweight champion.
Here are a few things confusing about the new 3.26 ruling.
Part 3 – The Franchise Champion will proudly represent the WBC in every single fight as a reigning WBC champion, regardless of any specific conditions or titles being associated with all future fights.
Does Canelo defend the WBC middleweight every time he steps foot in the ring?
When Alvarez defeated Rocky Fielding in December 2018, the WBA super middleweight title was at stake. Does “represent” the WBC speak to title defense, collection of sanctioning fees, or just a patch on the trunks? From the wording, it appears Canelo can’t breathe near a ring without a green belt trailing him.
Part 4 – The WBC may recognize a WBC champion in the division or divisions where the Franchise champion currently competes.
In other words, Jermall Charlo will remain the “interim” champion while Canelo is the “franchise champion.” Interim champions are typically established when the full champion is unable to defend the title. Ultimately the full and interim face-off to decide who is number 1. Not the case here as there are no plans or talks to match Canelo and Charlo currently.
Part 5 – If the Franchise Champion loses, the winner will receive the Diamond belt and may be considered as a mandatory contender of the division.
If you beat the champion, you don’t become the champion. In fact, the winner MAY (but isn’t guaranteed) be considered the mandatory challenger of the division. Also reiterated in rule number 2 that says the WBC “will approve through the franchise champion promoter every opponent scheduled to fight.”
There are one of two ways the rules can be interpreted. On one hand, the WBC will now have the authority to make certain the number 1 fights the number 2. On the other hand, the champion can pick and choose defenses at will with the aid of the WBC.
