According to several sources, the WBC are preparing to change the weight limit for this weekend’s upcoming world light middleweight title bout between Britain’s Matthew Hatton and rising Mexican star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Originally scheduled for a catchweight of 150lbs, it now looks as if the WBC, only days away from the fight, will insist that the full divisional limit of 154lbs is used instead.
The official line from the WBC on the matter is that they are aware of the criticism that Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito’s catch weight title bout generated, and that in ensuring Alvarez vs. Hatton is held at the light middleweight limit, they are serving the best interests of the sport.
The problem with this stance is simply that two wrongs don’t make a right.
Allowing Margarito and Pacquiao to contest a title at a catchweight was heavily criticized by the fans and media alike. But in reality, the WBC knew that it wouldn’t be a popular decision before they made it.
Trying to now backtrack and claim that they are acting in the best interests of either the sport or both of the fighters involved in this weekend’s fight is ludicrous.
Hatton is a natural welterweight, Alvarez a still growing light middleweight who has fought for the WBC’s silver title three times at below light middleweight limit catchweights.
So essentially the ‘Silver’ title, which the WBC assures everyone isn’t a manufactured nonsense engineered to bring in more sanctioning money, doesn’t need to be fought for at the proper divisional limit, but the world title all of a sudden does?
Aside from further damaging the already shaky reputation of the WBC, who have been accused of favoritism and questionable decisions probably more times than the other big three title organizations combined, the decision also damages the reputation of Saul Alvarez himself.
At the age of just 20, and with a big fan base already in his native Mexico, there is still plenty of time for Alvarez to mature and improve, and when he’s ready, begin to take on the best fighters in the world, whether at light middleweight or elsewhere.
Despite his already lengthy career ledger of 36 fights though, that time isn’t now, and were he to be put in against a truly world title worthy light middleweight, he would almost certainly be outclassed.
Being gifted a title right now surely isn’t going to benefit either the WBC or Alvarez in the long run. The fact is that because Canelo is not yet world class, having a world title now means that he will have to be given lesser opposition to defend it against.
This in turn makes the WBC look bad (just for a change) and furthers the growing opinion amongst fans that Alvarez is for the time being more hype than substance.
To Alvarez’s credit, Hatton, despite the obvious disadvantages being set against him, is probably the best fighter he will have faced yet in his career.
Also with his recent record at welterweight, it isn’t a ridiculous notion that Hatton probably does deserve a crack at a world title, at welterweight that is.
At slightly below light middleweight Hatton has a track record of 1-0, a five round TKO win over the hardly well known Mikheil Khutsishvilli. Plainly despite his recent good form, Hatton isn’t deserving of a light middleweight world title shot, especially not one at the full limit of 154lbs, a weight he has never fought at.
At least when Manny Pacquiao was given a light middleweight title shot without having fought in the division, he brought 7 other titles with him, and the number one ranking in the division immediately below light middleweight.
Hatton brings the European welterweight title and a recent draw with an opponent Alvarez beat in his last fight.
This isn’t a knock on Hatton or Alvares, who of course are both merely grasping an opportunity being presented. But to dress this up as anything other than Alvarez being given every advantage against an already disadvantaged opponent simply isn’t credible.
Robert Gonzales, Pitt: “Canelo was already favorite, the only reason this is for a title is so GBP can make him into a star earlier and make more money off him. No wonder Mosley left and Marquez is leaving”
