It has been brewing for awhile. In my opinion this should have been decided a couple of months ago. Nevertheless, the rightful titleholder is now at the helm of the WBC Super Welterweight (154 lbs.) division.
Vernon Forrest of the US has been stripped of the title and Argentina's Sergio Gabriel Martinez has been elevated from interim to the full title. In my opinion, Forrest has been avoiding Martinez like the plague. I guess it's difficult to blame him because I don't see Martinez losing to Forrest in any way, shape or form.
Forrest tried to extend his reign for as long as he can. According to several reports, Forrest's team even had plans on fighting a nobody in Charles Whittaker in the Cayman Islands. With no TV buyers and former local sponsors backing out in the last minute, it didn't happen. A purse bid to match them was scheduled a few times and finally just before another scheduled purse bid on March 13, a compromise was finally agreed upon. Both fighters are given opportunities to have tune-up bouts and will finally meet in August. The tune-up clause of the agreement was obviously more for Forrest's benefit.
Martinez fought Kermit Cintron in a highly controversial draw. I believe Martinez won that right when Cintron thought that he was hit by a head butt when it was actually a Martinez straight. The referee should've counted Cintron out right there. I remember Cintron's post-fight quote that went something like "Nobody hits that hard. That was a head butt". That might've sent shivers down Forrest's spine.
Forrest's tune-up was scheduled for April but withdrew after allegedly suffering from a rib injury during training. My opinion, the injury is legitimate but probably not that serious to again reschedule an agreed upon meeting on August. Forrest's team is just looking on trying to extend his reign a bit more. Forrest can not escape the inevitable no longer. Whether he fights Martinez or not, he'll lose the title anyway. ESPN; Boxing Scene; Fight News
Therefore, one less title for the US while Argentina moves up in the tally. Here's the updated list.
Vernon Forrest of the US has been stripped of the title and Argentina's Sergio Gabriel Martinez has been elevated from interim to the full title. In my opinion, Forrest has been avoiding Martinez like the plague. I guess it's difficult to blame him because I don't see Martinez losing to Forrest in any way, shape or form.
Forrest tried to extend his reign for as long as he can. According to several reports, Forrest's team even had plans on fighting a nobody in Charles Whittaker in the Cayman Islands. With no TV buyers and former local sponsors backing out in the last minute, it didn't happen. A purse bid to match them was scheduled a few times and finally just before another scheduled purse bid on March 13, a compromise was finally agreed upon. Both fighters are given opportunities to have tune-up bouts and will finally meet in August. The tune-up clause of the agreement was obviously more for Forrest's benefit.
Martinez fought Kermit Cintron in a highly controversial draw. I believe Martinez won that right when Cintron thought that he was hit by a head butt when it was actually a Martinez straight. The referee should've counted Cintron out right there. I remember Cintron's post-fight quote that went something like "Nobody hits that hard. That was a head butt". That might've sent shivers down Forrest's spine.
Forrest's tune-up was scheduled for April but withdrew after allegedly suffering from a rib injury during training. My opinion, the injury is legitimate but probably not that serious to again reschedule an agreed upon meeting on August. Forrest's team is just looking on trying to extend his reign a bit more. Forrest can not escape the inevitable no longer. Whether he fights Martinez or not, he'll lose the title anyway. ESPN; Boxing Scene; Fight News
Therefore, one less title for the US while Argentina moves up in the tally. Here's the updated list.
As of May 21, 2009
Rank | Country | No. of Titles | Title Holders |
1st | USA | 10 |
|
2nd | Mexico | 9 |
|
3rd | Puerto Rico | 7 |
|
4th | Ukraine | 5 |
|
5th (4 are tied) | Argentina | 4 |
|
5th (4 are tied) | Armenia | 4 |
|
5th (4 are tied) | Japan | 4 |
|
5th (4 are tied) | Panama | 4 |
|
9th | Philippines | 3 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Hungary | 2 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Poland | 2 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Romania | 2 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Thailand | 2 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Venezuela | 2 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | Colombia | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | Denmark | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | Germany | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | Ghana | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | Indonesia | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | Italy | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | Nicaragua | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | Russia | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | South Africa | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | UK | 1 |
|
15th (11 are tied) | Uzbekistan | 1 |
|
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