IBF has a weird liking of South African fighters, but in general they are by far the best of the major ABCs. They don't make superfluous belts, they sanction fights appropriately, and their rankings are actually pretty legit.
Sulaiman has already said that Arreola will be the first Mexican heavyweight champ "if it was up to him" Well, it is up to him, and he will be in 2012
It is nothing but token support folks. Arreola will not be contesting the WBC Title against Vitali again. He will be negotiating from a #1 position with Wladimir after his Mormeck fight though. He will get mando money to see Wlad instead around July or August. In the USA. The WBC had nothing else to do with him. He was not going to partcipate in any contender fights for the WBC World Cup Tournament. He is Wlad's ticket to a USA return that will sell well. And Thompson will have no problem stepping aside and waiting as Goosen has em both.
try this... Vitali retires end of year... wlad and Arreola fight for vacant WBC.. wlad wins and we have a FULLY unified Champion......in a perfect world, but its the WBC... who knows with them
They may intend to have Wlad vacate the IBF belt, and have Thompson fight another Goosen fighter for it. This sets up a "unification" where both sides make alot of money later. Sad thing is there's nobody better for Wlad to fight, except for Povetkin, so he may as well fight these guys in 2012.
Lets get back to reality Chef. There is no way Wladimir is going to participate in any vacant WBC belt fight. He will have to face the winner of the belt to unify. Arreola vs Welliver is more like it. :deal
The walkover for Thompson to a position to be step aside is enough man. LOL I cannot see Wladimir letting go of any titles. He wants all 4 of those once his brother is gone. Interim bout though, maybe they revisit Thompson vs Chambers. No stripping though and no vacating IMO.
You underestimate the unmitigated greed of Sillyman. He might want to see Arreola as champ, but he can't touch Wlad in earning power.