Lawrence Lustig

The World Boxing Association, after congratulating Carl Frampton for his victory over Scott Quigg past weekend to hold the WBA Super Bantamweight title, have made official notification to his team that they must fight with the ‘champion in recess’ Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The deadline to figh the Cuban has been set as July 27, 2016.

The decision was made taking into consideration the WBA rules, and the trajectory of the fighter of the Caribbean island, who held the title since 2012 and subsequently became super champion by beating Nonito Donaire in 2013. However, he was placed as ‘champion in recess’ because he did not defend his belt in a period of nine months or as indicated by the regulations.

If teams boxers fail to agree the fight will go to purse bids. Both parties were notified of this decision and is presumed to know the rules of the WBA and the consequences of ignoring the document sent.

In other news, American Joseph Benavidez has resigned his interim title at 140 pounds to move up to the welterweight division.

“Team Benavidez” and Top Rank made the announcement through a letter sent to the body.

Benavidez won his title in 2014 after beating Mauricio Herrera via unanimous decision and then successfully defended in May 2015 against Jorge Paez Jr whom he beat by TKO in the 12th round.

The American boxer has a perfect record in the professional boxing 24 wins and 16 KO’s.

With the resignation, no other fighter will be called upon as part of the reduction policy implemented by WBA over titles.

At the request of Golden Boy Promotions, the World Boxing Association granted special permission to interim champion heavyweight Luis Ortiz for a fight against Tony Thompson on March 5.

However, the belt will not be at stake because they had been ordered to negotiate to fight against Alexander Ustinov.

The World Boxing Association announced in early 2016 a series of matches to be carried out to determine one champion in the division. In that resolution, it detailed that the fighting will be played similarly to a tournament.

Ortiz must fight against Ustinov and then the winner will face whoever wins the rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA belt.

However, despite the permission given to Ortiz to fight with Thompson as non – title, if the Cuban pugilist loses, he will be out of the tournament and Ustinov will be mandatory.