Future Hall-of-Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (49-0, 26 KOs) is exceptional in many ways. Not only did he retire in September undefeated after 19 years of active duty, tying Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record in the process. But when he finally decided to hang up his gloves, he was WBA Super Champion of not one but two divisions, welterweight and super welterweight, simultaneously.
He was also welter and super welter champ of the WBC, which removed him from its rankings at their year-end convention. It was one instance where the WBC beat the WBA to the punch.
But one punch does not a fight make, except on rare occasions, and newly elected WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza says that Mayweather will be removed from the rankings at the end of the month.
“It is a matter of formality,” Mendoza told ESPN Deportes. “In late January he will [no longer be champion].”
The WBA World Champions at welterweight and super welterweight are undefeated Keith Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) and the slick Cuban southpaw Erislandy Lara (22-2-2, 13 KOs), respectively.
Once Mayweather’s retirement is respected, Thurman might be elevated to WBA Super Champion with David Avanseyan (21-1-1, 11 KOs) replacing him as World Champion, and Lara could be designated Super Champion with Jack Culcay (21-1, 10 KOs) taking his place as second in command among the super welters.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
