World Boxing Council chiefs have approved a clash between Vasyl Lomachenko and Luke Campbell for the vacant lightweight title.
Mikey Garcia’s decision to campaign above 135 pounds has led to the WBC taking the situation to vote.
Campbell was number one in the rankings. This meant it was a gimme the Briton would get his crack next.
Instead of dropping down the ratings, the WBC ratified a request for Lomachenko to be drafted in as the second competitor.
Lomacheko already holds the WBA and WBO versions. The Ukrainian hopes to add a third after being given the green light.
“The WBC board of governors has finalized the process. We have determined the final ruling regarding the lightweight division status,” said the WBC.
“The WBC has accepted Vasiliy Lomachenko petition to fight for the WBC lightweight title. A fight between mandatory challenger Luke Campbell, from UK and multiple weight division champion, Vasiliy Lomachenko, from Ukraine, with the vacant WBC lightweight championship on the line – is officially ordered.
“Mikey Garcia is now WBC Emeritus champion. He reserves his right to fight for the lightweight title when he wishes.”
MANDATORY
In addition, the WBC have ordered a semi-final competition featuring the next four fighters in the line.
The winner will become the new number one at lightweight.
“A tournament will be ordered. This will determine the mandatory challenger of the division with the following fights.
“Silver champion, from Russia, Zaur Abdullaev must fight Devin Haney, from USA. Plus Teofimo Lopez, from Honduras, must face Javier Fortuna, from Dominican Republic.
“The winners of these matches will fight each other to determine the mandatory contender of the division.
“The WBC is extremely happy with this resolution. The ruling will bring very important activity to the division including seven amazing fighters from different countries. Making this process a true world competition.”
UK PPV
WBN understands Lomachenko v Campbell is in the early stages of talks. The potential for Campbell to gain home advantage is the first option being explored.
Should Lomachenko agree to travel, a clash with Campbell would take place on Sky Sports Box Office in the summer.
Campbell has fought for a world title before. The Olympic gold medalist lost out to Jorge Linares at The Forum.
On the other hand, Lomachenko has ruled in three weight classes. ‘Loma’ is ranked as a pound for pound force.
In just fourteen fights, Lomachenko has achieved plenty. Honors which some fighters don’t achieve in a long career.
Beginning a hot favorite, Lomachenko halted Campbell conqueror Linares in ten rounds.
Pound for Pound Top 10:
1 Canelo Alvarez
MIDDLEWEIGHT
2 Vasyl Lomachenko
LIGHTWEIGHT
3 Terence Crawford
WELTERWEIGHT
4 Oleksandr Usyk
HEAVYWEIGHT
5 Manny Pacquiao
WELTERWEIGHT
6 Gennady Golovkin
MIDDLEWEIGHT
7 Naoya Inoue
BANTAMWEIGHT
8 Errol Spence
WELTERWEIGHT
9 Mikey Garcia
WELTERWEIGHT
10 Juan Estrada
SUPER-FLYWEIGHT
