The 38 year-old retired from the sport in September following a low-key (by his standards) win over Andre Berto in Las Vegas, having held a firm grip on the WBC versions at 147 and 154 pounds over the last few years.
Mayweather originally announced his intention to vacate the belts after facing Manny Pacquiao in May of this year, but changed his mind a few days later leaving the WBC to finally make their move six months later.
Tournaments said be consisting of four or eight fighters are now set to take place to determine the new champions at both weights, with those available in the current WBC top ten expecting to be involved in the competition.
“In honor of his incredible career that spanned almost 19 years and in which he won WBC world titles in five weight divisions, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was awarded the WBC Lifetime Achievement Award here (in Kunming, China) yesterday and named Champion Emeritus in the super welterweight and welterweight divisions,” said the WBC.
“With Mayweather’s recent retirement, both titles are now vacant. The WBC has ordered tournaments in both divisions to determine the world champions, and will contact the representatives of the top-rated fighters in both divisions to determine their participants.
“The WBC is currently preparing the guidelines for the tournaments.”
Manny Pacquiao’s April 9 retirement fight, which the WBC originally told WBN could be fought for the vacant welterweight belt, looks set to miss out on the tournament due to the Filipino’s desire to hang up his gloves.
