Jermell Charlo will be stripped of his title after a clash against Canelo Alvarez on September 30 and replaced by interim and mandatory challenger Tim Tszyu, WBN has been informed.
Charlo was due to defend against Tszyu on no less than two occasions, with both meetings scrapped due to injury or alternative options.
After months of complaints by Tszyu and his team about the length of time it’s taken to get his mandated shot, the World Boxing Organization has made a compromising ruling.
The twin brother of WBC middleweight ruler Jermall Charlo will be able to enter the ring against Canelo next month as the recognized WBO super welterweight champion. However, Charlo is effectively stripped once the first bell rings, and Tszyu will be the new titleholder.
Outling the situation to World Boxing News, the WBO stated: “The WBO World Championship Committee’s authority to consider the issue at hand is governed under Section 2 An Interim Championship was warranted due to Charlo’s injury and unavailability to discharge his mandatory obligation.
Jermell Charlo no longer champion on September 30, 2023
Having carefully reviewed and appraised the facts stated herein, having considered the arguments of the parties, and having examined our governing rules and regulations, this Committee determines the following:
1. The WBO Championship Committee hereby rules:
a) The WBO will sanction Canelo/Charlo scheduled for September 30, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
b) Charlo will be allowed to enter the ring as WBO Champion and be announced as such (WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion).
c) After Charlo enters the ring on September 30, 2023, and is officially introduced as WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion, his status and recognition as WBO Champion is terminated “Ipso Facto.”
d) After Charlo’s WBO Champion status and recognition are terminated under the section mentioned above (c) of this Resolution, Tim Tszyu will be automatically elevated from Interim Champion to Full Champion status.
The WBO added a reminder of its mandatory obligations.
“All parties agree that the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests bind them. Section 35(f) I provide is relevant.
“These Regulations apply to all WBO Participants. The term WBO Participant includes but is not limited to, WBO World Champions and WBO World Championship Contenders.
“All WBO Participants who participate in any WBO sanctioned activity do so on the express condition that such WBO Participant is bound by and subject to these WBO World Championship Rules.
“All WBO Rules and Regulations.” [Emphasis Added]. This Committee has jurisdiction and the authority conferred by its rules to resolve the matter at issue accordingly.”
As the new champion on September 30, Tszyu will enter a voluntary period immediately. The Australian can choose any contender in the top fifteen WBO rankings.
Current WBO super welterweight rankings
1 Josh Kelly (International) GBR
2 Bakhram Murtazaliev RUS
3 Charles Conwell USA
4 Xander Zayas (NABO) PRI
5 Jesus Alejandro Ramos USA
6 David Papot FRA
7 Takeshi Inoue (Asia-Pacific) JPN
8 Slawa Spomer (WBO Global) DEU
9 Erickson Lubin USA
10 Serhii Bohachuk UKR
11 Danny Garcia USA
12 Terrell Gausha USA
13 Ardreal Holmes USA
14 Israil Madrimov UZB
15 Joseph Jackson USA
