The WBC has made significant changes in its super-lightweight division, designating Devin Haney as the “champion in recess” due to his inability to defend his 140-pound title. Haney, who cited physical, mental, and emotional reasons, had his request accepted by the WBC Governing Board.
‼️ The WBC have now made Devin Haney the WBC super-lightweight ‘champion in recess’ and upgraded Alberto Puello from ‘interim’ to full WBC world champion. They have also ordered Puello to defend vs Sandor Martin next with Gary Antuanne Russell mandatory for the winner.
Consequently, the interim champion, Alberto Puello, has been elevated to full WBC world champion status. Puello is now mandated to defend his title against Sandor Martin within the next four months, with Gary Antuanne Russell being the mandatory challenger for the winner. This shake-up comes on the heels of Haney’s controversial bout with Ryan Garcia, which was recently ruled a no-contest due to Garcia’s weight issues.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman emphasized the organization’s support for Haney, stating that Haney’s team petitioned for his status change to allow him time for recovery. This decision has paved the way for new matchups in the division. Puello’s defense against Martin promises to be an exciting bout, with Russell awaiting his opportunity for a rematch against the winner.
Meanwhile, Haney’s future in the ring remains uncertain as he considers a move to welterweight to challenge newly elevated champion Mario Barrios or a possible rematch with Garcia after his doping ban. The super-lightweight landscape is poised for intriguing developments as these scenarios unfold.
