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Home » WBC President explains how Crolla v Linares is WBA/WBC unification

WBC President explains how Crolla v Linares is WBA/WBC unification

Crolla puts his WBA belt on the line for the second time in late autumn at his home arena in Manchester against the fighter recognised by Ring Magazine as the best 135 pounder on the planet.

As Linares lost his WBC belt due to his failure to defend against Dejan Zlaticanin through injury, heads began to scratch when Matchroom put out their release for a ‘unification for all the marbles’ on Tuesday.

Luckily, included were quotes by Sulaiman who explained that Linares will be putting the WBC ‘Diamond’ belt on the line as Zlaticanin now holds their usual belt on the back of his weekend victory over Franklin Mamani.

“Linares was placed as Champion in Recess by the WBC due to a broken hand which prevented him from making his mandatory defence,” said Sulaiman.

““The WBC has granted Linares to return to the ring to fight this blockbuster unification for the prestigious Diamond belt and the winner is committed to fight Dejan Zlaticanin.

“I am personally proud of this fight as it continues with our goal to facilitate the best matches to take place all over the world.”

New champion Zlaticanin will be allowed to make the maiden voluntary defence of his title in the meantime before squaring off against the winner of Crolla v Linares, potentially later this year or early in 2017.

Due to Linares’ position as the Ring’s number one, the Venezuelan’s match-up with Briton Crolla becomes even more prestigious as a three-belt offering – with the victor taking up the mantle of the main man in the division.