By: Sean Cross
The WBA seems happy to allow Errol Spence to compete against Keith Thurman in the “superior” bantamweight list. “The World Boxing Association (WBA),” the organization announced, “as it continues to develop its world title reduction plan, has taken the next steps in the welterweight division. After a thorough review of the situation, it has been decided that Errol Spence Jr. will be given a special license to fight WBA super champion Keith Thurman, champion of the division Imantas Stanionis. He will also face Virgil Ortiz.
Does it seem confusing? it is. Unfortunately, the WBA decided to go into title madness in recent years. This means that while Stanyonnis may be the WBA world champion, Spence is the WBA “super” champion. you understand? not at all. How can an unwanted healthy person be? Thankfully, the WBA is at least trying to straighten things out a little. Ultimately, there should be a legitimate WBA welterweight title fight between the winner of Spain-Thurman and the winner of Stanionis-Ortiz. This shouldn’t be complicated, but again, kudos to the WBA for trying to straighten things out here.
“In the year On November 14, 2022, the WBA revealed, TGB Promotions applied for an exclusive license on Spence’s behalf to fight Thurman in February 2023. The WBA’s decision makes life easier for Spain, as the World Boxing Council – which Spence holds (along with the IBF welterweight belt) – ordered Spence to fight Thurman. Pending a decision by the WBA, Spence will next face Stanyonnis to retain the WBA belt. “According to the WBA Rule C.16,” the WBA announced, “it states that the times of the mandatory defense can be modified for reasons, at the request of special permission or on its own initiative, the WBA has decided that Spence Thurman can face.”
In a sense, the Spence-Thurman fight has been coming a long time. Back when Thurman seemed to be on top of the world, he seemed less interested in the up-and-coming Spence. Likewise, Thurman is semi-retired and now that Spence is at the top of the division, he has shown little interest in facing the man known as “The One.” The fallout from the Crawford negotiations may have changed all that.
