The World Boxing Organization had initially requested that undisputed pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., send a signed letter relinquishing his WBA/WBC light-middleweight titles, and state his wish to keep the WBO welterweight title he earned by beating Manny Pacquiao on May 2nd.
Although Mayweather failed to meet the demand, the WBO, not surprisingly, gave Mayweather an extension to July 3rd.
Mayweather announced following his victory over Pacquiao that he would vacate all his belts by the following Monday, which didn’t happen.
Once Mayweather’s team became aware that Timothy Bradley and Jessie Vargas were going to fight for the title on June 26, Mayweather’s lawyer sent a letter to the WBO notifying them that his client would like to remain the champion.
According to Boxing Scene, the two sides reached a resolution three weeks ago, and Mayweather has to pay the $200,000 sanctioning fee for the Pacquiao fight, and state his intentions again by way of a signed letter.
The WBO prohibits any fighter from holding belts in multiple divisions. Mayweather has not defended his light-middleweight titles since a one-sided victory over Canelo Alvarez in September 2013.
As a result, Saturday’s fight between Bradley and Vargas, which is to be held at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, will officially be for the “Interim” WBO welterweight title.
If Mayweather decide to vacate the title after all, the winner of the fight on Saturday, will likely be promoted to “Regular” status immediately.
If that doesn’t happen, things are going to get complicated.
Following his victory over Adrien Broner on Saturday, Shawn Porter has emerged as another candidate to fight Floyd Mayweather in what is supposed to be his final fight in September.
Keith Thurman has also thrown his name into the hat, but he’s fighting Luis Collazo on July 11, so it’s not as likely.
