According to World Boxing Council president, Mauricio Sulaiman, the undefeated Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman has vacated his WBC world welterweight title.
Thurman has been inactive since March 2017, when he unified the WBC title with the WBA title against Danny Garcia at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NYC.
Thurman has been plagued by a series of unfortunate injuries which has hindered his ability to fight as frequently as a champion should.
In a brief statement, the 29-year-old Florida fighter discussed the decision to vacate the WBC title but stressed to the fans, he will be the unified champion once again.
I continue to rehab my hand and elbow and I look forward to getting back in the ring this summer. This is a temporary setback and I will be the unified champion once again. #OneTime https://t.co/Hq1xuS0QDx
— Keith Thurman Jr. (@keithfthurmanjr) April 25, 2018
“Due to my rehabilitation from my injuries, I agreed to relinquish my WBC title at this time. I continue to rehab my hand and elbow and I look forward to getting back in the ring this summer.
This is a temporary setback and I will be the unified champion once again and look forward to winning back my WBC title as soon as possible,” Thurman concluded.
The WBC president also discussed the decision for Thurman to part ways with the coveted green WBC world title.
“Keith Thurman, unfortunately, has suffered two consecutive injuries that have kept him out of the ring. After his sensational victory over Danny Garcia, he has graciously relinquished his title.
“The WBC has mandated that Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter will fight for the title,” the WBC president, Mauricio Sulaiman added.
The WBC president went on to add that Thurman will be afforded the luxury of an immediate shot at the titleholder upon his return from injury.
Keith Thurman relinquishes WBC title; Shawn Porter-Danny Garcia ordered for vacant belt https://t.co/q2bNYBDRfY
— The Ring Legacy (@RingMagazine_) April 25, 2018
“Keith will have a direct path to fight for the title. Once he has healed just as Vitali Klitschko and other WBC champions have done in the past.”
“Keith is a tremendous athlete, champion and role model. The WBC will support him completely during this difficult time.” Sulaiman said.
Former 2-weight world champion, Danny Garcia will now take on former IBF world welterweight champion, Shawn Porter for the vacant WBC title. Both men have suffered defeat at the hands of Thurman in his most recent past two fights.
One year ago tonight, won the first of two WBC eliminators. Been under the radar for a minute, but my desire to compete for that green belt hasn’t died down. It’s what I want, and it doesn’t matter who I have to fight to get to it. Can’t wait to be back soon. #ThePorterWay pic.twitter.com/14PkgP1w3O
— ShowtimeShawn Porter (@ShowtimeShawnP) April 23, 2018
Shawn Porter became mandatory challenger when he knocked out Andre Berto. He solidified that position when he overcame Adrian Granados in November.
Danny Garcia a former titleholder at both jr-welterweight and welterweight became second in line with a shot at that title.
That decision was made when Garcia knocked out Brandon Rios in a secondary final eliminator. That eliminator was ordered during Thurman’s lengthy absence from the ring.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh91c-AAZPc/?hl=en&taken-by=dannyswiftgarcia
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