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The designation of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Vasiliy Lomachenko as “Franchise” champions is a reflection of all that the two have previously achieved.
In the case of Teofimo Lopez, such consideration is more of an investment into the future.
A new precedent will be set this weekend when Lomachenko and Lopez collide in their multi-belt lightweight unification clash this weekend. Three physical belts will be at stake, as well as Lomachenko’s WBC “Franchise” champion status which goes against what the sanctioning body promised in claiming such status was non-transferrable when first rolling out the concept last summer.
The exceptional talent of the boxer on the other side of the marquee this weekend prompted a change of heart.
“I believe that Teofimo has such an interest in the WBC and there’s great expectations of elements to be a superstar,” Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC told BoxingScene.com in explaining the reason for the sudden change in policy. “When you have a fighter that has the potential… when you see the elements of a Roberto Duran in the making… we accepted their request and it’s very valid.”
A request was submitted by Lopez—through promoter Top Rank—during the 58th annual WBC convention earlier this summer to address the issue. The unbeaten Brooklynite sought approval to gain recognition as “Franchise” champion should he defeat Ukraine’s Lomachenko (14-1, 10KOs) this Saturday in Las Vegas. Blessing was granted by the sanctioning body, despite the fact that their physical belt will be the only one not at stake this weekend.
Lomachenko claimed the vacant WBC belt in a 12-round win over England’s Luke Campbell last August, adding to a collection which already included the WBA and WBO lightweight straps. His approval to face Campbell for the available title came on the condition that the winner face Devin Haney, by way of his interim title-winning stoppage of unbeaten Zaur Abdullaev which came two weeks later.
That dynamic changed during last year’s convention in Cancun, when Lomachenko—once again through Top Rank—sought recognition as “Franchise” champion in exchange for giving up the green belt. Such designation had only been awarded to Mexico’s Alvarez (53-1-2, 36KOs) by that point, although few would dispute the historical achievements of Lomachenko—a two-time Olympic Gold medalist amidst arguably the greatest career in the history of amateur boxing, along with five major titles won through three weight divisions.
Whereas Alvarez has not fought in the same weight division for two fights in a row since his pair of fights with Gennadiy Golovkin, the lightweight lineage in Lomachenko’s “Franchise” status and where Lopez currently competes is what helped the Mexico City-based organization make an exception.
“If he defeats Lomachenko, he’s in a special place on his own,” notes Sulaiman. “That was the reasoning. I think it creates a good precedent because he’s fighting in the same weight category. When you have a Canelo who (earned “Franchise” as a middleweight but) fights at light heavyweight, super middleweight and even (before) at super welterweight… it’s a different story.
“But this time they are fighting in the same weight category, where Lomachenko defeated Campbell. That is why we accepted it.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox