:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4779712/133539639.jpg)
The WBC sent out a press statement today which basically says the following:
- The February 4 fight between middleweight titlist Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Marco Antonio Rubio is sanctioned by the WBC as a title fight. Shocker, that.
- If Chavez wins, and Sergio Martinez defeats Matthew Macklin on March 17, then Chavez must face Sergio Martinez next.
- Seriously.
- No, really.
- This time we mean it, you guys. Not foolin' around anymore.
All in all, I suppose I have more belief that it'll happen now that the press has helped build the fight to the point that it might actually be fairly lucrative.
[ Related: Chavez and Martinez, Business As Usual ]
The full statement from the WBC is after the jump.
The World Boxing Council unanimously approved that the WBC middleweight champion of the world, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., should defend mandatorily against Sergio Martinez, but leaving open an opportunity for both parties to agree as both had TV dates already reserved, Chavez on February 4th and Martinez on March 17th.
As no news of any agreement was received at the WBC offices, and per virtue of February 4th being a month away and March 17th about two months away, the Board of Governors of the WBC has ruled to accept both engagements according to the rules, but with the indication that the winner and WBC champion after the 4th of February must defend mandatorily against Martinez, if he wins over Mathew Macklin, classified in the past convention by request of Mr. Lou DiBella.
The WBC offices will be waiting the requests in writing to approve the bouts.
The rule 2.1 says:
2.1 WBC Approval of WBC Championship and Elimination Bouts. All promoters must request in writing the approval by the WBC of any WBC-sanctioned championship, elimination, or qualifying bouts. No bout shall be considered as officially sanctioned by the WBC unless the promoter has received the written approval of the WBC Presidency, and complies fully with all terms and conditions of the sanction, including payment of all required fees, and compliance with these Rules and Regulations.