| |
|
APPROVAL OF SYLVESTER LOPEZ IBO TITLE FIGHT UNDER FIRE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 Jul 2013
The IBO super bantamweight/junior featherweight title fight between Filipino Sylvester Lopez and South Africa?s Thabiso Sonjica last weekend at the Orient Theater in East London, South Africa, has come under fire because of the unimpressive record and the low rankings of both fighters.
Sonjica who was ranked No. 29 won the title when Lopez who was ranked No. 35 quit in the 6th round in a one-sided contest.
Super Sport of South Africa noted that ?neither Sonjica, a South African, nor Lopez, a Filipino, has beaten a top-10 opponent. Two other South Africans, Jeffrey Mathabula and Takalani Ndlovu, are generally regarded as being among the top ten in the world in the junior featherweight division while four Filipinos in the division are ranked higher than Lopez, including the formidable Nonito Donaire.?
Donaire is ranked No.1, Drian Francisco No. 16, Genesis Servania No. 32 and Roli Gasca No. 33.
IBO president Ed Levine defended the decision to let the two fight for the world title claiming that other controlling bodies often sanctioned title fights between boxers with similar rankings stating that "The most-vaunted associations often recognize title fights between even lower-ranked boxers," Levine said.
Levine claimed as an example a case in which he said ?the WBO recently ratified a fight for one of their titles between boxers ranked 65th and 43rd? adding that "Other associations often disguise the rankings of the boxers fighting for their titles by artificially inflating their standings to give the impression of legitimacy.?
The IBO president disclosed that the IBO set a cut-off ranking of 35th but other associations sometimes sanctioned title fights between boxers with lower rankings.
Super Sport noted that with at least ten, probably more, organizations awarding ?world? titles in the 17 divisions, there could be nearly 200 champions when years ago there were only eight divisions and one champion in each.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
, Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 15 Dec 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
