WBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE RESOLUTION: WBO JR. HEAVYWEIGHT MANDATORY CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST LAWRENCE OKOLIE VS. DAVID LIGHT
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THIS CAUSE coming to be heard by the WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee upon the complaint of Mr. Patrick C. English of Dines and English. L.L.C., on behalf of Guillermo Rigondeaux from the October 26, 2015 determination of the WBO World Championship Committee, the WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee having received the Ruling of the WBO World Championship Committee, having afforded the Interested WBO Participants ample opportunity for submittals— both written and oral — having considered the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests, and being fully advised in the Premises,
THE FOLLOWING is established as the Record of Proceedings in this Cause:
In preparation for this Resolution, this Committee has evaluated Mr. Rigondeaux’s record as WBO Junior Featherweight Champion, examined news reports and commentaries to gain insights as to the reasons behind his inactivity. Taken as a whole, this Committee confirms that the WBO World Championship Committee was more than lenient with Mr. Rigondeaux, choosing not to exercise their discretion to order a Mandatory Defense and instead affording him great latitude and the opportunity to face any of the top 15 classified contenders, but that he was clearly inactive, defending his title only three times during the (31) months prior to the October 26, 2015 Resolution.
Mr. Patrick C. English of Dines and English, L.L.C., on behalf of Guillermo Rigondeaux, petitioned this WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee on November 9, 2015 to (1) Reverse the October 26, 2015 determination of the WBO World Championship Committee to vacate Rigondeaux’s WBO Junior Featherweight Championship, arguing that the fighter’s inactivity was “in major part caused by the WBA’s failure to enforce its rules and what, sadly, appears to have been a conspiracy to do so in order that a unification between Messrs. Frampton and Quigg could be held,” further adding that “[t]his chronology was not known at the time Mr. Rigondeaux’s response was due to the WBO’s Championship Committee,” and that “[i]t became known only after the WBA’s recent action and upon discussion with IBF officials.” Finally, on December 4, 2015 this WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee received communication from Mr. English unequivocally stating that upon consultation with their client it was their intention to withdraw their appeal.
It is important to note, that this Committee is not swayed by arguments pertaining to the WBA, their rules and activities- they have no bearing whatsoever on the decision of the WBO World Championship Committee or this WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee. Ours is a simple application of our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests. Also, because this Committee believes so strongly in the importance of Due Process, the Interested WBO Participant was given the opportunity to address us via telephone conference on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, provide additional information for our consideration and to testify under oath and confirm any prior written statements. At that time, Mr. English requested an additional period to reply in light of Mr. Rigondeaux’s bout scheduled for November 21st. On November 21st. English then wrote to this Committee asking for a final extension until Friday, December 4, 2015. On that date, Mr. English sent us communication via email stating that after “consulting Guillermo, we intend to withdraw our appeal.” The letter further added:
It was never our contention that the WBO violated any of its rules. Rather, we were requesting that the WBO exercise its discretion not to adopt the Championship Committee recommendation in light of the circumstances which were discovered and which are set forth in my letter of November 9, 2015. Those circumstances primarily involved the WBA and not the WBO.
Rigondeaux’s letter withdrawing their appeal, finally asked that:
While we still request that the President, in his discretion, not adopt the Recommendation of the Championship Committee, we do not believe that the exercise of discretion is an appealable issue and thus, this withdrawal.
An Interested WBO Participant may no doubt withdraw an appeal at any time during the established process. On the other hand, the WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee considers it necessary to discuss the request that the President not adopt the Recommendation of the WBO World Championship Committee to declare Mr. Rigondeaux’s WBO Junior Featherweight Title vacant. Section 34 of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests establishes that:
Any WBO Participant, including, but not limited to a Boxer, Manager, or Promoter who is or could be affected by a determination of the World Championship Committee who wishes to contest such a determination must, as his or her sole and exclusive remedy, file a Complaint pursuant to the WBO Appeal Regulations. In all cases the complaint shall be referred to the WBO President, who may attempt for a reasonable period to resolve the complaint amicably. The WBO President may reject a complaint or he may refer it to the Complaints and Grievance Committee which shall determine the complaint or grievance in accordance with the WBO Appeals Regulations.
In this case, WBO President Francisco Valcarcel opted not to participate of the complaint process, instead choosing to refer the matter immediately to this WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee. That is to say, the November 10, 2015 letter from President Valcarcel to the Chairman of this Committee, and that same date’s letter of notification to Mr. English, proves that the Rigondeaux matter no longer fell within his purview and no longer had jurisdiction in the matter. In light of this rule, this Complaint and Grievance Committee is forced to conclude that Mr. Valcarcel is no longer in a position revise his determination to adopt the recommendation of the WBO World Championship Committee, per their October 26, 2015 Regulation.
The Appeal is dismissed upon request of the petitioning party. The October 26, 2015 determination of the World Championship Committee is sustained. This Committee also concludes WBO President Valcarcel may no longer revise his determination to adopt the recommendation of the October 26, 2015 WBO World Championship Committee Resolution. This Decision is the Final Action of the WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee. It constitutes the Final Arbitration of the issue per 32 LPRA Section 3201 et. seq. and the US Arbitration Act, Title 9 of the United States Code, and the Inter- American Convention on International Commercial Arbitration of July 30, 1975 and the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitration Awards of June 10, 1958 under WBO Rule 35, which in relevant part provides:
All WBO Participants are reminded that the sole remaining WBO appeal of this determination is to the WBO Executive Board, which may be initiated only by written application to the WBO President per Article 7 of the WBO Appeals Regulations:
The decision of the Complaint and Grievance Committee is final unless an appeal is granted pursuant to this Article. In the sole discretion of the President, a decision of the Complaint and Grievance Committee may be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the WBO. This extraordinary review may be ordered by the President upon the independent decision of the President after receipt and consideration of a written Appeal by a WBO Participant affected by the decision within five (5) days following the date of the decision. The effect of a decision of the Complaint and Grievance Committee will not be affected by an Appeal unless the President determines to stay the decision pending Appeal.
On December 8, 2015
Respectfully Submitted,
World Boxing Organization
ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ
Complaint and Grievance Committee
PDF File: 151208 WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee Resolution G. Rigondeaux
WHEREAS, on Saturday, May 2nd 2015, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. earned a unanimous-decision victory over Manny Pacquiao in one of the most highly anticipated boxing matches ever to become the Unified WBO/WBA/WBC Welterweight Champion of the World; and,
WHEREAS, during the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Post-Fight Press Conference at the MGM Grand on the night of the historic bout, Mr. Mayweather spoke at length about affording the opportunity to other fighters, particularly those of a younger generation and specifically stated that “Other fighters need to get a chance” and “I’m not greedy. It’s time to let other fighters fight for the belt.” (See, e.g., Floyd Mayweather will relinquish all his title belts before final fight); and,
WHEREAS, pressed on the issue of vacating the championship belts, Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather productions, added: “Floyd has been in the sport 20 years and has accomplished everything in the sport.” “What else can he accomplish? There are younger guys up and coming and they’ll get an opportunity;” and,
WHEREAS, due to Champion Mayweather’s statements that he would relinquish all titles and his expressed desire to fight one non-title 12-rounder bout before retiring to allow for the development of young fighters, the WBO World Championship Committee approved the June 27th 2015 bout between Timothy Bradley, Jr. and Jessie Vargas for the Vacant WBO Welterweight Championship of the World; and,
WHEREAS, on May 20th 2015, having heard boxing commentators talk of an upcoming Bradley-Vargas bout for the Vacant WBO Welterweight title, a concerned letter is received from the Mayweather camp through his attorney, John Hornewer, stating that Mr. Mayweather had no definite plans for the future other than the September 2015 bout and specifically, desired to have a written confirmation from the WBO that he remained the WBO/WBA/WBC Unified Welterweight Champion of the World; and,
WHEREAS, the WBO, having acted on the previous statements of Mr. Mayweather in sanctioning the June 27th 2015 bout between Timothy Bradley, Jr. and Jessie Vargas for the Vacant WBO Welterweight Championship of the World, nonetheless, due to the WBO’s and Timothy Bradley, Jr.’s and Jessie Vargas great respect for Mr. Mayweather, the status of the June 27th 2015 bout between Timothy Bradley, Jr. and Jessie Vargas for the Vacant WBO Welterweight Championship of the World was amended to an Interim WBO Welterweight Championship of the World to allow Mr. Mayweather additional opportunity to make his determination whether he wished to retain the WBO Welterweight Championship in conformity with the WBO Rules; and,
WHEREAS, on May 22nd 2015, the WBO World Championship Committee sent a letter requesting that Champion Mayweather convey in writing -on or before Monday, June 1st 2015— his unequivocal intent to retain his WBO Welterweight title, in accordance with the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests; and,
WHEREAS, the letter sent to Mr. Mayweather advised that Section 15 (b) of said regulations would require that he relinquish his WBA/WBC 154 lb. title, for “no WBO Champion may hold a non-WBO Championship in a weight class that is different from the weight class of his WBO Championship;” and,
WHEREAS, on June 1st 2015, a friendly reminder letter was sent to Mr. Mayweather, Jr. stating that his letter relinquishing the WBA/WBC titles was due on the same day; and,
WHEREAS, on the afternoon of June 1st Mr. Mayweather, Jr. sent a letter asking that the WBO World Championship Committee utilize its power and discretion conferred upon it as per Section 1 (b) (20) of the WBO Regulations in order to grant an exception or variation from the Rules and allow him until August 1st to respond to the May 22nd letter on whether he would relinquish his titles; and,
WHEREAS, Mayweather Jr. further stated on the June 1st missive that “entered the bout [on May 2nd 2015 against Manny Pacquiao] holding the WBA and WBC Welterweight and Super Welterweight Division titles,” respectively; and,
WHEREAS, Mayweather, Jr. furthermore expressed that “he is pleased and proud to be recognized and acknowledged as a WBO Champion” and that although “it has taken almost two decades for him to cross paths with the WBO, he is proud and honored to have done so;” and,
WHEREAS, on June 3rd, WBO President Francisco Valcarcel advised Mr. Hornewer that a request was made to the WBO Championship Committee to render a decision on Champion Mayweather’s request no later than Friday, June 5th 2015; and,
WHEREAS, on June 5th 2015 this WBO World Championship Committee resolved that while no future precedent was to be construed of the Resolution, that Section 1 (b) (20) of the WBO Regulations did in fact allow for certain extraordinary exceptions and flexibility, but that under no circumstances could it be interpreted as rendering any of our WBO Rules ineffective, and finally, that an extraordinary extension to allow Champion Mayweather to advise the WBO of his position within the WBO Welterweight division was granted until 4:30 PM EST on Friday, July 3rd 2015, under the following conditions:
WHEREAS, on June 10th 2015 WBO President Valcarcel and members of the WBO Championship Committee received an email communication from John Hornewer on behalf of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Mayweather Promotions LLC, confirming the acceptance of the four conditions set forth in the June 5th Resolution and thanking the WBO for accepting their request for an exception; and,
WHEREAS, the July 3rd 4:30 p.m. EST deadline passed, and the WBO received no response from Mr. Mayweather or his legal representatives advising of his intent to vacate titles in other weight divisions and complying with WBO Rules and Regulations of World Championship Contests, the matter has been referred to this WBO World Championship Committee; and,
WHEREAS, the WBO Championship Committee has full authority as per our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests to resolve this matter and may, within our powers and discretion according to Section 1 (7) of the aforementioned Regulations, “recommend to the President and the Executive Committee that a Title should be vacated if a Champion fails to comply with the WBO World Championship Rules (Emphasis added); and,
WHEREAS, the WBO acknowledges Mr. Floyd Mayweather’s undeniable place atop the “pound for pound” lists as well as his notable performance on May 2nd 2015 to capture the WBO Welterweight Championship of the World against another extraordinary fighter in Manny Pacquiao; and,
WHEREAS, the WBO has the utmost respect for Floyd Mayweather Jr. and all that he has accomplished during his storied career, and that Mr. Mayweather has always agreed with and understood that World Championships have both privileges and responsibilities and that status as WBO Champion is subject to and conditioned on compliance with the WBO Rules; and,
WHEREAS, Section 16 (1) of our Regulations stipulates that the WBO shall be paid a “Sanction Fee” (both Champion and Challenger) of a rate equal to three percent (3%) of their purses with a minimum of $1,000.00 and a maximum of $200,000.00 per boxer; and,
WHEREAS, it is expressly against our Rules (Section 15 (b)) for boxers to hold world titles in multiple weight classes and if a WBO Champion wins a title in a higher or lower weight division, the WBO Champion shall have ten (10) days to determine which weight division the WBO Champion will retain.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the WBO World Championship Committee according to our Regulations that:
Dated in San Juan, Puerto Rico on this 6th day of July, 2015
Luis Batista Salas, Esq.
Chairman
WBO Championship Committee
PDF File: 150706 RESOLUTION TO VACATE – FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR (1)
WHEREAS, on September 4, 2014 WBO Middleweight Champion of the World Peter Quillin notified this WBO World Championship Committee of his intent to forgo the proposed mandatory defense bout against WBO #1 ranked contender Matt Korobov; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Quillin’s decision required that the WBO Middleweight title be declared vacant and that this WBO World Championship Committee determine Mr. Korobov’s opponent for the now vacant title, pursuant to Section 20 of the WBO Regulations for World Championship Contests; and,
WHEREAS, we have received formal petitions on behalf of both WBO #2 classified contender Billy Joe Saunders and WBO Junior Middleweight Champion of the World Demetrius Andrade, to fight for the vacant WBO Middleweight Championship of the World against Matt Korobov; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, according to our Regulations and guided by existing precedent, this WBO World Championship Committee determines that:
IT ADDITIONALLY RESOLVES that in light of the above Demetrius Andrade fight Matt Korobov for the vacant WBO Middleweight Championship of the World; and,
FINALLY RESOLVES that given the situation in the WBO Middleweight Division, and that a purse bid for the Quillin vs. Korobov WBO Middleweight contest had been held, with a television date set, the sides to the contest here ordered now have fifteen (15) days to reach an agreement. As usual, the parties involved may call for a purse bid at any time during the negotiation process.
September 10, 2014
WBO CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE
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