As widely expected Floyd Mayweather has now been stripped of the WBO welterweight title he won against Manny Pacquiao back in May after the Puerto-Rico based organisation’s championship committee meeting on Monday afternoon.
Immediately following the fight on May 2nd, Floyd hinted he would likely give up the belt, among others he owns, in order to let the next generation of fighters coming through fight for a shot at them.
However, when the recent Bradley v Vargas fight was sanctioned by the WBO, Mayweather objected and was given a deadline to pay his $200,000 sanctioning fee, which equates to roughly 1% of his entire purse, as well as vacate the two 154 lb titles he holds with the WBC and WBA.
He would also ultimately have been made to face Tim Bradley as he beat Vargas in their fight – and given the frosty Top Rank/Al Haymon situation, that was never likely to happen.
Floyd has 14 days to appeal the decision, although it is unlikely to be of benefit. He also holds WBC and WBA welterweight titles which contravenes rules from those organisations prohibiting a fighter holding titles in more than one weight class. The WBO decided not to break it’s own rules like those two bodies in that regard.
Contrary to earlier reports, Floyd WILL also receive a belt from the WBO to recognise his short reign as champion and it’s widely expected Bradley will be upgraded to “full” WBO 147 lb champion later this week.
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