Canelo Dumps WBC Belt: What Does It Mean?

UPDATE: The WBC responded right quick, with this…

“The World Boxing Council has received official confirmation from Golden Boy Promotions with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez decision to vacate the WBC middleweight championship.

Gennady Golovkin is hereby recognized as the undisputed WBC middleweight champion of the world.”

Followed by this…

“The WBC wishes “Canelo” Alvarez great success in his career and will certainly look forward to see Golovkin vs Alvarez materialize in the future.”
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To hell with your belt and your deadline, that was the message from Canelo Alvarez late this afternoon.

The WBC (ex) title holder was told to finish to a deal to defend the crown against Gennady Golovkin by May 23, by the WBC, or else the whole thing would be sent to purse bid.

No dice, said the Mexican, coming off a stoppage win over Brit star Amir Khan.

Here is the Canelo release, with interjections of my reaction:

LOS ANGELES (May 18, 2016) – Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez today issued the following statement:

“After much consideration, today, I instructed my team at Golden Boy Promotions to continue negotiating a fight with Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and to finalize a deal as quickly as possible. I also informed the WBC that I will vacate its title.”

WAIT, WHAT? Why? Does that actually mean he doesn’t want to fight Golovkin? Tell us!

“For the entirety of my career, I have taken the fights that no one wanted because I fear no man. Never has that been more true than today. I will fight ‘GGG,’ and I will beat ‘GGG’ but I will not be forced into the ring by artificial deadlines.”

HMMM, OK. No one backs baby into a corner… This is maybe an act of proud defiance? Or is it a shoe drop..with another to come? Is he signaling that truly he’s no middleweight, not now, and won’t be bulled into fighting one?

“I am hopeful that by putting aside this ticking clock, the two teams can now negotiate this fight, and ‘GGG’ and I can get in the ring as soon as possible and give the fans the fight they want to see.”

HMMM, AGAIN….No, not good news for impatient folks who crave a fast resolution to this possible clash. The ticking clock element had us hoping that there wouldn’t be a protracted negotiating session. We can still hope..But this doesn’t bode well.

Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya today issued the following statement:

“There is no denying that Canelo is the biggest star in the sport of boxing. He is eager to get in the ring with ‘GGG’ to show the world that he is also the best pound for pound fighter in the sport, but we won’t negotiate under a forced deadline. Now that the WBC title is off the table, I am hopeful that ‘GGG’ and his promoter K2 Promotions will come to the table in good faith and get this deal done.”

HMM, YET AGAIN…Is this an implication that K2 has NOT been acting in good faith at the deal table?

TALK TO ME… What is the significance of this Canelo play? Does this mean we see Canelo vs Lemieux next….

…and Team Golovkin should pursue the belt collecting with Team Jacobs and Team Saunders?