Juan Manuel Marquez Wants WBA Belt Back

In another story of commission craziness, the WBA has stripped Juan Manuel Marquez of his lightweight "super champion" status according to Rafael Soto of Boxing Scene. Everyone would normally applaud this move because there is no chance in hell that Marquez is going to back to lightweight to defend this title. The last time he defended the title was November 2010 against Michael Katsidis. The current belt holder for the WBA in the lightweight division is Richard Abril who won an interim title from his fight with Miguel Acosta. The money for Marquez is in fighting Manny Pacquiao or maybe others at the welterweight limit. Yet, Juan Manuel Marquez's promotional company Zanfer Promotions has a problem with the WBA's decision.

"We totally condemn the ruling of WBA. Our company Zanfer will defend our fighter to the very end. A fighter such as Juan Manuel Marquez is a great example to the boxing world. We are going to send a letter immediately to the offices of the WBA and ask them to reconsider their decision on Juan Manuel. We are also asking for an explanation on this unfair action against our fighter."

Now on one hand the promotional company does have a bit of a point. A super champion is supposed to have 18 months to defend the crown. That deadline does not pass until May 2012. On the other hand, there is no chance in hell that Juan Manuel Marquez is going to fight Richard Abril or frankly anyone at 135. So why do they want the belt back? Just to look at it? To say that he's the lightweight champion and never defend it? The belt is simply a trinket and Marquez does not need a belt to make big money fights. Let someone else who needs the belt to get a fight, like Richard Abril, have the belt and make some money. This might be the only time I say this, the WBA made the correct decision.