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Home » WBO won’t sanction McDonnell v Kameda unification, fight goes on

WBO won’t sanction McDonnell v Kameda unification, fight goes on

Jose Izquierdo, the WBO’s General Secretary, outlined that Briton McDonnell being the ‘regular’ champion with the WBA and unranked by the organisation would not constitute a full unification and that they cannot then allow Kameda to put his belt on the line.

“Basically, the WBO cannot sanction the proposed fight as we only recognize Juan Carlos Payano as the WBA champion in that division. When there are organisms that opt to have more than one champion, we only accept the ‘highest’ one for unification purposes,” Izquierdo told World Boxing News.

President Paco Valcarcel had already made his stance clear by stating Kameda could now face losing his belt: “If any WBO title holder faces any champion from any other organism without our authorization, he is at imminent risk of being stripped.”

McDonnell’s manager David Coldwell was unmoved when contacted by WBN on Wednesday though and says that the WBO’s decision will have no bearing on the fight which is currently scheduled to take place in San Antonio, Texas on May 9.

“The McDonnell v Kameda situation is ongoing with Al Haymon,” Coldwell told World Boxing News.

“Regardless of unifications or what belt the fight is for, McDonnell v Kameda happening and it’s a great fight,” he added.

Omar Figueroa v Ricky Burns at super lightweight and a super welterweight contest between Anthony Mundine and Austin Trout are set to bulk up a mouth-watering treble on the date in question, whilst Saul Alvarez v James Kirkland will take place elsewhere in the Lone Star State that same night.