WBC OFFICIAL MANDATORY STATUS – UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 27, 2026
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has published an updated mandatory status for champions, interim titles, and eliminators following the decisions of the Board of Directors made during the 63rd Annual WBC Convention. The current status is valid as of January 27, 2026. The convention took place on December 3, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Heavyweight
Reigning WBC World Champion Oleksandr Usyk has been granted permission for a voluntary title defense. Interim champion Agit Kabayel successfully defended his belt on January 10 in Germany, defeating Damian Knyba by technical knockout in the third round.
A final eliminator between Lawrence Okolie and Moses Itauma was approved, but the bout was postponed due to Itauma’s injury.
Bridgerweight
Champion Kevin Lerena is required to make a mandatory defense against Ryad Merhy. A final eliminator between Andrew Tabiti and Krzysztof Twardowski has also been approved.
Cruiserweight
The world title fight between Badou Jack and Noel Mikaelian, scheduled for December 13 in California, ended with Mikaelian’s victory, making him the new WBC world champion.
He has been granted a voluntary defense, after which he must make two mandatory defenses: first against Michał Cieślak and then against Ryan Rozicki. A semifinal eliminator between Yamil Peralta and Ilunga Makabu has also been ordered.
Light Heavyweight
Champion David Benavidez submitted a petition to compete in the cruiserweight division under WBC rules while retaining his title status at 175 lb. The petition was approved.
The final eliminator between Joshua Buatsi and Ben Whittaker was canceled due to Whittaker’s obligations related to his Silver title.
Super Middleweight
The vacant title fight between Christian Mbilli and Hamzah Sheeraz was canceled. Mbilli was promoted from interim champion to full WBC world champion.
He is required to face mandatory challenger Lester Martinez, with the matter to be further reviewed by the Board of Governors. Luka Plantić will take part in an eliminator against an opponent to be determined by WBC based on activity in December 2025.
Middleweight
Champion Carlos Adames must make a mandatory defense against Meirim Nursultanov. The interim title was contested in the Abel Ramos vs. Shane Mosley Jr. fight, which Ramos won. A final eliminator between Bilal Dzhikayev and Yoenli Hernandez has been ordered. Additionally, Adames is scheduled to make a voluntary defense against Justin Williams on January 31 in New York.
Super Welterweight
Champion Sebastian Fundora is required to face Keith Thurman.
Interim champion Vergil Ortiz submitted a petition for a voluntary defense against Jaron Ennis. The WBC has initiated a legal review of the situation. A final eliminator between Bakary Samake and Germall Khadribey has been approved.
Welterweight
Mario Barrios will make a voluntary title defense against Ryan Garcia on February 21 in Las Vegas.
The winner must face mandatory challenger Conor Benn.
WBC Silver champion Souleymane Cissokho, who won the final eliminator, submitted a petition that will be reviewed individually by the WBC President.
Super Lightweight
Dalton Smith won the WBC championship by defeating Subriel Matías via fifth-round TKO on January 10, 2025.
The new champion must defend his title against Alberto Puello.
The interim title bout between Isaac Cruz and Lamont Roach ended in a draw, with the belt retained.
Lightweight
Shakur Stevenson was granted permission to fight Teofimo Lopez above the weight limit under WBC rules while retaining his championship status at 130 lb.
However, due to Stevenson’s lack of response to multiple inquiries, the WBC Board will review the matter separately.
The Ricardo Núñez vs. Hadjier Herrera bout was upgraded to an interim title fight, which Herrera won by eighth-round TKO.
Super Featherweight
Champion O’Shaquie Foster defeated Stephen Fulton by decision and retained his WBC title.A final eliminator between Mark Magsayo and Michael Magnesi has been ordered, with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger.
Featherweight
Stephen Fulton lost to O’Shaquie Foster and relinquished the WBC world title in this division.
Interim champion Bruce Carrington must face Carlos Castro in a bout for the full WBC title.
The winner must defend against champion-in-recess Rey Vargas. A final eliminator between Nathaniel Collins and Cristobal Lorente has also been approved.
Super Bantamweight
WBC world champion Naoya Inoue successfully defended his title on December 27, defeating David Picasso by unanimous decision (UD 12). An eliminator between Marlon Tapales and Bryan Mercado has been ordered.
Bantamweight
A final eliminator between Juan Francisco Estrada and Tenshin Nasukawa has been approved. The Board also ratified a final eliminator between Andrew Cain and Alejandro Gonzalez.
Super Flyweight
A final eliminator between Tomoya Tsuboi and Ricardo Malajika was initially ordered but later canceled. Malajika will face Kenshiro Teraji for the IBF title.
Flyweight
WBC world champion Ricardo Sandoval must face interim champion Galal Yafai in a mandatory bout.
Francisco Rodriguez is scheduled to fight on January 31, 2026, and must make the flyweight limit or will be moved to the Super Flyweight rankings. Surachat Thannan-chai submitted a petition for a final eliminator, which will be reviewed individually by the WBC President.
Light Flyweight
Carlos Cañizales has been placed on champion-in-recess status pending clarification of his ability to travel abroad or defend his title domestically. CP Freshmart plans a voluntary defense in Japan in March, while Erick Badillo has been designated as the mandatory challenger.
Strawweight
A final eliminator between Sia Khowa Kuse and Joey Canoy has been approved to determine the mandatory challenger for the WBC title.
