WBA Resolution: Super Featherweight Division – World Boxing Association

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has issued a resolution regarding the super featherweight division, elevating Anthony Cacace to Super Champion status and Elnur Samedov to champion following recent developments.

The decision establishes a new course for the division in light of the circumstances that prevented the immediate staging of the mandatory bout between the two fighters.

Cacace will be authorized to make a voluntary defense against a WBA-ranked boxer before December 31, 2026, potentially against Nick Ball. Subsequently, the winner of that bout will be required to defend the Super Championship against Elnur Samedov, who will hold champion status, in a mandatory bout.

The fight must take place in neutral territory, at a venue approved by all parties involved, and on a date to be determined by the WBA Championships Committee.

The resolution further establishes that, once the bout between Cacace and his opponent has concluded, the winner will have 12 days to confirm his participation in the mandatory bout against Samedov.

Additionally, the WBA determined that the terms and requirements of the bout, including a potential purse percentage split in the event of a purse bid, will be established through a separate resolution, taking into consideration the balance of the interests of both fighters, fairness, and transparency.

The resolution also establishes that no additional special permission will be granted until the mandatory bout has taken place or the parties have reached an agreement. Likewise, no title unification bout may take place while the division does not have a single champion.

Samedov, for his part, was elevated to champion status and will also be authorized to participate in a bout in accordance with the schedule established in the resolution. All applicable WBA rules and regulations will continue to govern his activities as champion.

The resolution stems from the order issued by the WBA Championships Committee on June 2, when the mandatory bout was ordered between Cacace, then the division’s champion, and Samedov, who held the Interim Championship.

Cacace won his world title on March 13, 2026, while Samedov captured the Interim Championship on February 13, 2026.

Negotiations were conducted by Queensberry Promotions, representing Cacace, and Titov Boxing Promotions, representing Samedov. However, the parties were unable to reach a definitive agreement.

The contracts submitted by Queensberry in mid-July contemplated staging the bout in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

The situation became more complicated when the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) rejected the request for Samedov to compete in the United Kingdom. The decision was subsequently upheld by the British authority after reviewing documentation related to the fighter’s citizenship and residency. As a result, negotiations between the two promoters were suspended.

On August 17, Queensberry Promotions requested special permission from the WBA under Rule C.40 for Cacace to make a voluntary defense while the situation surrounding the mandatory bout was being resolved.

The request argued, among other points, that the obstacle to staging the fight had resulted from a regulatory decision by the BBBC and not from any action by the champion or his promoter; that a purse bid would likely not resolve the venue-related issue; that moving the fight outside the United Kingdom could significantly affect Cacace’s revenue-generating capacity; and that the champion was prepared to make a defense in the near term.

Titov Boxing Promotions also submitted its arguments to the governing body and challenged the BBBC’s decision, while requesting that the WBA continue to require the bout between Cacace and Samedov.

Samedov’s promoter also asked the WBA to consider the commercial consequences for its fighter and requested that, if special permission were granted, a date be established for the world championship bout that would not unjustifiably delay Samedov’s opportunity.

After reviewing the communications and arguments submitted by all parties involved, as well as the regulatory circumstances that affected the possibility of staging the bout in the United Kingdom, the WBA President and the Championships Committee determined that there was valid cause to grant the requested special permission.

WBA rules allow for special permission to be granted when extraordinary circumstances justify such action and authorize the Association to suspend or modify certain provisions, including periods established for mandatory defenses.

In this case, the Committee considered the best interests of boxing, the objectives and policies of the Association, and the interests of both fighters, seeking to establish a balance between the positions of Cacace and Samedov.

The governing body recognizes the jurisdiction of local authorities to regulate boxing activities within their respective territories. Although the WBA does not agree with the decision adopted by the BBBC in this case, it deemed it necessary to take that decision into consideration and recognize its consequences for staging the mandatory bout in the United Kingdom.

WBA rules establish that its provisions may be superseded when they conflict with a mandatory regulation imposed by an authorized national or local boxing commission.

The WBA will continue working with all parties involved and will maintain the appropriate consultations with the British Boxing Board of Control regarding matters related to the eligibility of participants to compete in the United Kingdom.

Any other matter that may arise in connection with this case will be resolved through the interpretation of the WBA Championship Rules by the Championships Committee.