There is a report from Russia that in the event that Vitali Klitschko retires, there will be a four fighter tournament for the WBC title, involving: Bermane Stiverne Deontay Wilder Chris Arreola Bryant Jennings According to this article, it was decided at the WBC convention (use microsoft or google translate): [url]http://akboxing.ru/?p=63986[/url]
I think Stiverne-Jennings would be a great fight. I hate the word 'expose' b/c of its over-use, but the term would appropriately apply to a Wilder-Arreola match up!
He won a semi-final eliminator against Austin, and then a final eliminator agaist Arreola. So he's the mandatory.
If that's true then Stiverne is getting shafted. He's been the mandatory for over 2 years, has fought an eliminator twice and has had his shot repeatedly delayed with the help of the WBC. If Vitali does retire then Stiverne should be made WBC champion and forced to face his mandatory. It would be a ridiculous situation where he would have to fight another eliminator or enter a tournament when he has already twice successfully fought for the mandatory position.
Stiverne should either get the vacant title, with a mandatory defense first or face the winner of whatever tournament there will be straight for the title. From the list, however, it seems that most of the better contenders are simply excluded...
So Stiverne has to now fight another 'eliminator' before getting to fight for the WBC belt? what an absolute joke the WBC are, surely Stivernes team have more then enough grounds to sue the **** out of them. If Boxing was run properly i'd have a rule that if a World Belt holder fails to make a defence every 6 months they are automatically stripped of the title and the next highest rated contenders get to fight for it. If they couldn't fight for medical reasons then they get first shot at the new champion but either way it stops any Champion from hijacking the belt without fighting.
I see that American promoters are spending money to ensure an American HW can be a paper titlist. Three of those guys don't belong near the top 5.
I disagree, I think that this Bermane Stiverne fellow should just be gratefull for all the attention that he's receiving thanks to the WBC. If not for the WBC I would never have heard about this limited fighter.