The WBA could not refuse to recognise Ward in the Super-Six Final even because there were two major titles on the line. Past the tourney, the WBA looked everywhere how to divide the championship, curiously with the same suspects of old, Dmitri Sartison who was stopped in the 12th round against Kessler in his own comeback from the Calzaghe loss in a vacant title fight. Now they gave that chance to Khastanov who lost a split decision to Kharoly Bhalzsay and won a 12th round tecnical ko against who other but Dmitri Sartison. In the meantime, Ward gets stripped, Magee does well but encouters Kessler and lasts two or three rounds... Who in justice is the Champion.
belts are bull**** in this sport - half the problem is that casual fans see 'world champion' and think it means the same in any other sport promoters get a hard-on over it, fighters who have one and don't want to fight the top guys make a lot of money out of it, and sometimes - sometimes it leads to great fights between stand up fighters like froch and kessler are froch or kessler real world champions? hell no! are they the best of the rest in the division and deserve our respect? hell yes! anyone on this board who wants to learn to be objective needs to understand why
The W.e B.e A.skin' where the sanctioning fees went!! But seriously, it depends, if you're driving south on the interstate, and the wind is blowing from the Northwest but the sun is shining and you're driving a red car...... Ward is the champ.
Ward need to start fighting more and stop the nonsense they are a solid amount of fighter at 168, yes He beat the best ones but do not hold the belt, move up. Stieglitz, Dirrel bros, Ousthuzien, even Edwin Rodriguez and Stevenson are there if you are not interested in any of those please move up in weight and let other fighter fight for the belt.
