On a surreal evening where an inactive Bermane Stiverne was mysteriously promoted into a vacant WBA ‘Regular’ heavyweight title fight against the untested Trevor Bryan by the much-maligned Panamanian sanctioning body, Manny Pacquiao was also demoted to ‘Champion In Recess’ and Cuban Yordenis Ugas promoted to the organisation’s position of ‘Super’ champion at 147lbs.
The title switch-around will most likely facilitate a unification fight between Ugas and WBC/IBF welterweight king Errol Spence. Pacquiao, meanwhile, appears likely to press ahead with a lucrative clash against lightweight star Ryan Garcia – possibly at a catchweight or in an exhibition format.
An overjoyed Ugas tweeted: “Thank God, my agent, my team, family and fans today is a great day for me. Thanks to the WBA for raising me to Super Champion and doing what is best for sport.
“Manny Pacquiao is a legend and he will always be champion, his intention was [Conor] McGregor and now Ryan [Garcia], but you cannot behind your history, hijack a championship. This gives fans a chance to see a great unification fight at 147lbs.
“I don’t want this position for easy fights. My team has my consent for my next fight to fight Pacquiao if he wants to show who he is the true WBA champion or another of the champions for a great unification fight. I am a warrior committed to his career and to his fans, who have fought and earned every penny and every opportunity. Thank you all and I can’t wait to announce what’s next. I am grateful and very excited.”
Earlier in the day, ex-WBC heavyweight champion Stiverne – without a win since 2015 – was shoehorned into a vacant WBA ‘Regular’ title fight against Bryan later tonight. The former WBA ‘Regular’ belt holder Manuel Charr was demoted to ‘Champion In Recess’ following visa and other political issues.
The WBA also promoted Belgian-based Ivorian Ryad Merhy to WBA ‘Regular’ cruiserweight champion, replacing the long inactive Beibut Shumenov.