Miguel Cotto was stripped of his WBC middleweight championship belt Tuesday, just four days before his highly-anticipated title bout with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
“After several weeks of communications, countless attempts and good faith time extensions trying to preserve the fight as a WBC world championship, Miguel Cotto and his promotion (Roc Nation Sports) did not agree to comply with the WBC rules and regulations, while Saul Alvarez has agreed to do so,” the WBC said in a statement, via ESPN. “Accordingly, the WBC must rule on the matter prior to the fight.
“The WBC hereby announces that effective immediately it has withdrawn recognition of Miguel Cotto as WBC world middleweight champion.”
Cotto reportedly refused to pay a $300,000 sanctioning fee to the WBC, according to ESPN’s Dan Rafael. The fee is paid to the WBC in order to put the title on the line.
“The WBC’s decision is premised on the fact that Miguel Cotto and his camp are not willing to abide by the governing WBC rules and regulations, and the specific conditions the WBC established to sanction the fight,” the WBC said. “Simply put: they are not willing to respect the very same rules and conditions which applied to Cotto becoming WBC champion.
“The WBC wishes Miguel Cotto the best of luck as we truly regret the course of action which led to them taking such decision. … The WBC wishes the promotion great success and we are satisfied that this great fight for boxing will be enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.”
The fight is still a title fight and if Alvarez wins he’ll earn the “vacant” belt. Cotto is still the lineal middleweight champion.
Thumbnail photo via Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports Images
