WBC Official Mandatory Status As Ruled By The WBC Board Of Governors – 63rd Annual Convention
On December 3, 2025, in Bangkok (Thailand), the WBC Board of Governors approved updated mandatory statuses for champions and contenders, as well as ordered final elimination bouts across all weight divisions. Below is a structured overview of the main decisions.
Key Decisions: Usyk, Kabayel, Lerena, Jack, Matias & Others
In the heavyweight division, champion Oleksandr Usyk was granted a voluntary title defense, while interim champion Agit Kabayel will defend his belt against Damian Knyba on January 10 in Germany. A final elimination bout between Lawrence Okolie and Moses Itauma has also been ordered.
In the Bridgerweight division, champion Kevin Lerena is mandated to face Ryad Merhy, while Andrew Tabiti and Kris Terzewski will meet in a final elimination bout.
In cruiserweight, champion Badou Jack will defend his title against Noel Mikaelyan on December 13 in California. Should Jack win, he will be allowed one voluntary defense before completing two mandatory defenses—against Michal Cieslak and Ryan Rozicki. The semifinal elimination bout Yamil Peralta vs Ilunga Makabu has also been confirmed.
Middle Divisions: New Eliminators and Interim Titles
In light heavyweight, champion David Benavidez has been granted approval to compete in the cruiserweight division under WBC rules while retaining his 175 lb title. The previously ordered final eliminator Buatsi vs Whittaker has been cancelled due to Whittaker’s Silver champion obligations.
In super middleweight, the WBC ordered Christian Mbilli vs Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant world title. The winner must defend against mandatory challenger Lester Martinez. WBC will closely monitor the Diego Pacheco Silver title fight scheduled for December 13.
In the middleweight division, champion Carlos Adames will meet mandatory challenger Meirim Nursultanov, while Abel Ramos secured the interim title after defeating Shane Mosley Jr. The WBC also ordered a final eliminator: Bilal Jiktov vs Yoenli Hernandez.
Lighter Weight Classes: Strategic Adjustments and Status Changes
In super lightweight, champion Subriel Matias will defend his title against mandatory contender Dalton Smith on January 10, 2025. The winner must face Alberto Puello next. Interim champion Isaac Cruz retained his belt after a draw with Lamont Roach.
In lightweight, champion Shakur Stevenson was granted approval to face Teofimo Lopez in a higher division while maintaining his 130 lb champion status. A key decision was the sanctioning of O’Shaquie Foster vs Stephen Fulton for the interim title — Foster won, solidifying his super featherweight champion status while retaining specific lightweight privileges.
In super featherweight, the final elimination bout Mark Magsayo vs Michael Magnesi is scheduled for January 31.
In featherweight, the championship bout Bruce Carrington vs Carlos Castro will determine the new world champion, who will then face champion-in-recess Rey Vargas.
Lower Divisions: Long-Term Structural Decisions
In super bantamweight, champion Naoya Inoue will meet David Picasso on December 27, while Marlon Tapales vs Bryan Mercado has been confirmed as an elimination fight.
In bantamweight, WBC ratified two final eliminators: Juan Francisco Estrada vs Tenshin Nasukawa and Andrew Cain vs Alejandro Gonzalez.
In super flyweight, the WBC ordered the final elimination fight Tomoya Tsuboi vs Ricardo Malajika.
In flyweight, both champion Ricardo Sandoval and interim champion Galal Yafai have been granted voluntary defenses. Francisco Rodriguez must make the flyweight limit on January 31, 2026, otherwise he will be rated at super flyweight. WBC will review the petition submitted by Surachat Thannanchai for a final eliminator.
In light flyweight, champion Carlos Cañizalez has been placed as champion in recess, while CP Freshmart claimed the vacant world title during the convention event. Eric Badillo has been designated as mandatory challenger, and WBC will finalize the division’s structure in the coming weeks.
In minimumweight, the final elimination bout Siyakhowa Kuse vs Joey Canoy has been confirmed, with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger.
Next Steps Following Winter Events
WBC will issue further resolutions after the conclusion of major bouts in late 2025 and early 2026. Several divisions — including Light Flyweight — remain under review as the organization continues refining championship and contender statuses.
