Bellew declared WBC Emeritus Champion

[Beanz]

WBC confirm status of Tony Bellew's WBC cruiserweight title - Boxing News


"Tony Bellew conquered the WBC vacant cruiserweight championship on May 29, 2016 by knocking out number 1 contender Ilunga Makabu in three rounds in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Mandatory contender Mairis Briedis reached a step aside agreement with Bellew to allow him a voluntary defense vs. B. J. Flores on October 15, 2016.
During the 54 WBC Annual Convention in Hollywood, Florida, Tony Bellew requested special permission on the rule 3.87 to participate in a WBC Special Event in the heavyweight division, which the WBC unanimously voted in favor and ordered an interim championship fight between Mairis Briedis and Marco Huck, as well as a final elimination bout between Kudryashov and Durodola.
Our proud champion knocked out highly regarded heavyweight David Haye on March 4, 2017.
Tony Bellew has become a major attraction in the heavyweight division and is at this moment uncertain of his next steps following his life changing victory.
Tony Bellew has expressed his absolute honor and pride to be the WBC cruiserweight champion of the world and has represented the WBC in the best way possible during his reigning as a champion.
This scenario might keep him from defending his cruiserweight title in some time, reason for which the WBC Board of Governors unanimously voted to designate Anthony Bellew as Emeritus Champion of the World, which grants him the right to fight for the cruiserweight championship at any given time with full support from the WBC while maintaining his rights as world champion.
The Emeritus Champion designation is a privilege, which has been successfully used by some of the great champions of the history of our organization including Vitali Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Erik Morales and other greats.
The WBC hereby confirms that the fight between Mairis Briedis and Marco Huck that will take place this coming April 1st in Germany, will be for the WBC cruiserweight championship of the world and the winner will abide by the rulin"

[Primo Carnera]

What a fuckin complete joke they all are.
Generally when someone is classed as Emeritus, it's a nod of ultimate respect to somebody considerably above his fellow peers.
He defended his title against a part time boxer/commentator and that's it!
Fuck off the lot of them!

[Master]

WBC want to cash in on Bellew and the other paper champs.

Bellew should be made to relinquish or defend the belt.

[Alpha]

I don't see Bellew returning to Cruiser. Especially to face the winner of Huck-Breidis.

[X]

Hilarious. It shows how much they have devalued their own 'world' champions that they now have to invent some new bullshit 'Emeritus' title.

Does anybody really think Bellew is actually, or ever was, the best cruiserweight on the planet??

[Beanz]

What a fuckin complete joke they all are.
Generally when someone is classed as Emeritus, it's a nod of ultimate respect to somebody considerably above his fellow peers.
He defended his title against a part time boxer/commentator and that's it!
Fuck off the lot of them!

you are going to love this





Tony Bellew rated #5 on WBC all-time list as reign comes to an end | World Boxing News

[Primo Carnera]

What a fuckin complete joke they all are.
Generally when someone is classed as Emeritus, it's a nod of ultimate respect to somebody considerably above his fellow peers.
He defended his title against a part time boxer/commentator and that's it!
Fuck off the lot of them!

you are going to love this

Tony Bellew rated #5 on WBC all-time list as reign comes to an end | World Boxing News

I can't like or rep on my mobile, but cheers for posting that. It's cheered me up no end.........NOT!!!!
Either I know absolutely nothing, or the World has gone FUCKING MAD!!!!
(No need for anyone to post their opinion of which of the above is true,
Thank you.) 😄😄

[Fenster]

That's just a reflection of how weak the division is/has been.

Bellew's fight was in a football stadium with 15,000+ punters - that makes it big by most fights standards let alone the cruiserweight division. And it was a memorable fight - As underdog he got off the floor to completely iron out a feared puncher in a shootout.

[X]

That tells you everything you need to know about the WBC.

They themselves rate Evander Holyfield as the best ever cruiserweight champion they have had. That's the same Evander Holyfield who held their title for a year and never even defended it as far as I'm aware.

Thats hugely disrespectful to their other cruiserweight champions.

On what criteria did they make this judgement? The only possible answer is they decided he was their best cruiserweight because of his achievements with OTHER governing bodies .... yet they refuse to rank fighters rated by the other bodies.

Hypocrisy? Surely not

[Kirkland Laing]

It's an ideal situation for all concerned. Bellew can sit back and wait to see if Haye can recover from his injuries and then make a rematch which is easily the biggest money fight he can get. Even if he loses to Haye he can then fight for a belt at cruiser if he wants to. Sanctioning bodies are a joke but we all knew that anyway.

[Master]

Bellew will retire if he loses to Haye or try to cash in a 3rd if it is close.