https://www.boxingnews24.com/2021/04...le-eliminator/


This excerpt got a chuckle out of me.

"Normally, this would be an excellent way for the 24-year-old Benavidez to force Canelo to fight him by beating Uzcategui (30-4, 25 KOs) to become the WBC mandatory.

Unfortunately for Benavidez, Canelo is also the Franchise champion with the WBC at 160, and that tag allows him to bypass any mandatories, no matter what weight class he’s in."



Yes... the dreaded Franchise belt. The WBC's equivalent of Monopoly's "Get out of Jail Free" card.

But I wouldn't sell the WBC short on this one. They'll find a way to avoid having Canelo face Benavidez in any number of ways.... just in case the Franchise tag is seen as too transparent for serious boxing fans to stomach.

Never underestimate the W(e) B(low) C(anelo) Sulaiman Mafia.