(SEPT 16) CARACAS, Venezuela – We like to inform that the World Boxing
Association (WBA) has released its new ratings on November 25. As you will
notice, these ratings correspond to the SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2002 period.
We want to make it clear that this is an exceptional case since ratings are
always made on a MONTHLY BASIS. Yet, due to the controversy that surrounded
the September 2002 ratings released after our Annual Convention held last
September in Washington D.C., our organization decided to take a new
direction in the way ratings are made.
The first step of this new era was taken last October 16 in New York, where
WBA officials led by Executive Director Gilberto Jesús Mendoza held a
hearing in which they offered an explanation about what had happened with
the controversial September ratings to the world press, fighters, managers
and promoters.
Wrong data loaded to the computing programs normally used to make the
ratings caused the problem, for which the WBA offered its apologies to
everyone involved in boxing who may have been affected, especially to fans
and fighters.
"We are human beings and make mistakes," said Mr. Mendoza at the public
hearing, which was the first of its kind. Following, the September 2002
ratings were vacated.
Instead of releasing a new ranking right away, which could have resulted in
a premature action, we decided to take into account both September and the
following month’s (October 2002) results before releasing the new ratings.
That is why the current ratings correspond to a two-month period, as an
exceptional case.
KLITSCHKO’S SITUATION We also want to clarify Vitali Klitschko’s current
situation in our current heavyweight rankings, as some misunderstandings
seemed to have occurred.
Mr. Klitschko will remain the No. 3 contender (No. 2 is not rated) in the
ratings until we know our current mandatory challenger, Evander Holyfield’
situation.
This decision is based on a previous decision made by our Executive
Committee last February.
At that time, Mr. Holyfield had asked a direct rematch against WBA current
heavyweight champion John Ruiz. The petition was denied as the Executive
Committee considered that there were not sufficient reasons to grant it.
However, an Elimination Tournament was ordered with the participation of the
first four highest ranked contenders with Mr. Holyfield facing the winner.
The four eligible contenders were Mr. Klitschko, Mr. Larry Donald, Mr.
Oliver McCall and Mr. Nicolay Valuev.
Mr. Klitschko beat Mr. Donald on November 23, while both Mr. McCall and Mr.
Valuev have not been available to fight. Mr. McCall has been incarcerated
while contractual problems have prevented Mr. Valuev to fight in the United
States.
On the other hand, we were informed that Mr. Holyfield is scheduled to face
Mr. Chris Byrd for another organization’s title next December 14, in which
case he would be resigning to his current No. 1 position according to our
rules. In that case, Mr. Klitschko would be moved to the No. 1 spot in the
December ratings, which will be released on January 2003.
However, the WBA cannot dismiss Mr. Holyfield from its ratings before
knowing whether or not the scheduled fight against Mr. Byrd takes place.
THE MEDIA’S OPINION In revolutionary decision, after last October 16 hearing
in New York, WBA President Gilberto Mendoza decided to take the world’s
rankings to the next step by giving an active participation to the world’s
boxing media in the structuring of the WBA ratings.
Several proposals are being considered at the moment, while the goal is to
implement some of them as soon as possible.
Among those proposals is an Internet poll, which would include the
participation of some of the most prestigious boxing specialists of the
world. That would generate a confrontation between our Ratings Committee’s
and the press’ opinion, resulting in a unified ranking.
Other options include a select panel of boxing analysts, which would serve
as councilors, representing the press opinion.
However, as we have not made a final decision we are open to hear your
suggestions and discuss them.
