10 unique champions  – World Boxing Association

Since the world title reduction plan launched by the president of the World Boxing Association (WBA), Gilberto Jesus Mendoza during August 2021, the number of champions has decreased considerably and 10 of the 17 divisions now have only one monarch.

The Championships Committee, in compliance with the internal rules of the organization, has made different decisions and has ordered bouts that allow the number of champions to be reduced.

In the light flyweight category, Hiroto Kyoguchi faced Esteban Bermudez, which left the Japanese as the single 108-pound champion. In flyweight, Ukrainian Artem Dalakian remains as champion, while in super flyweight Joshua Franco is the king after Juan Francisco Estrada was stripped of his title for not fulfilling his mandatory fight. 

In bantamweight, Naoya Inoue is the champion of the category; in super bantamweight the monarch is Murodjon Akhmadaliev; Roger Gutierrez in super featherweight, while the super lightweight title is vacant and the new champion will be the winner between Alberto Puello and Botirzhon Akhmedov, who will fight on August 20.

The super welterweight category also has only one champion, Jermell Charlo, and in light heavyweight Dmitry Bivol is the champion. In cruiserweight, Ryad Merhy recently resigned and Arsen Goulamirian is the only 200 lbs. champion. 

Other categories on the way to a single champion 

Featherweight is another weight class that is on its way to having a single champion. Recently a fight was ordered between super champion Leo Santa Cruz and champion Leigh Wood, the winner of which will be the only champion in the category.

The pioneer organization, through its championships committee, will continue to make decisions that will lead to the goals set for the minimum, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and heavyweight. Categories that have two champions at present.