Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga: WBC’s “Commemorative Belt” Sparks Fan Outrage
A Move Too Far? WBC’s Latest Decision Criticized
The WBC (World Boxing Council) has found itself in the crosshairs of boxing fans worldwide. The governing body recently announced that a special “Tamaulipas II” commemorative belt would be awarded to the winner of the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga bout on September 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While the intent might have been to honor Mexican traditions, the move has instead sparked a wave of criticism, with many fans questioning the necessity of yet another belt.
Social Media Backlash: Fans Are Not Impressed
From the moment the news broke, social media was flooded with reactions, many of them far from positive. Fans expressed their frustrations, accusing the WBC of diluting the value of their titles by creating too many belts. “WBC have more belts than fighters! Lmao, WBC was once the most sought-after belt; now it’s a joke belt!” exclaimed one exasperated fan.
Another follower questioned the inconsistency in the WBC’s approach, asking, “Why not make it for all divisions? Why the special treatment for just this fight?” This sentiment was echoed by many who feel that the constant creation of new belts is undermining the prestige traditionally associated with WBC championships.
“The WBC have created a new special WBC ‘Tamaulipas II’ belt, which will be awarded to the winner of Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga on September 14th,” read Michael Benson‘s latest tweet.
The WBC have created a new special WBC ‘Tamaulipas II’ belt which will be awarded to the winner of Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga on Sept 14th… pic.twitter.com/nyGC82F9YX
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 2, 2024
The WBC President said, “This September edition of the Commemorative Belt is magnificent. This special recognition will be given to the winner of the Canelo vs. Berlanga fight, who star in a new chapter of the greatest boxing rivalry between countries: Mexico vs. Puerto Rico.”
WBC President Defends the Decision
Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the WBC, defended the introduction of the “Tamaulipas II” belt, citing his personal connection to the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, where his parents were born. “This September edition of the Commemorative Belt is magnificent. It represents the beauty and tradition of Tamaulipas, and it’s a fitting tribute to the winner of Canelo vs. Berlanga, who will write a new chapter in the storied Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry,” Sulaiman stated.
The “Tamaulipas II” belt, like its predecessor, is inspired by the traditional Cuera Tamaulipeca, a type of embroidered jacket that is a hallmark of the region. The belt is crafted with suede and intricate leather embroidery, a process that reportedly involved over ten skilled artisans at the renowned ‘Haeberi Piel Artesania Tamaulipeca’ workshop.
A Tradition or a Gimmick? Fans Weigh In
Despite Sulaiman’s justification, fans remain divided. Some acknowledge the WBC’s tradition of creating special belts for significant fights, like the ‘Maya I’ belt for Canelo’s bout against Daniel Jacobs in 2019 or the ‘Chiapaneco II’ for his rematch with Gennady Golovkin. However, others see this latest move as a step too far, with one fan sarcastically commenting, “Canelo’s not even going to remember which fight this belt is from. He’s got so many!”
The cynicism didn’t stop there. Another fan pointed out that the WBC’s actions seemed more about catering to Alvarez than upholding the sport’s integrity. “But Canelo fans will say, ‘all Benavidez had to do was activate his mandatory, and the WBC would have stripped Canelo.’ They aren’t forcing Canelo to do anything he doesn’t want to,” the user remarked, highlighting what they perceive as preferential treatment.
“WBC have more belts than there are fighters. Lmao, WBC was once the most sought-after belt; now it’s a joke belt!”” said this fan.
The next fan believes “Really? Why not make it for all divisions? Why the treatment?” the fan asked.
“Can we please stop making new belts?” The following fan requested halting such practices of issuing new belts. The constant introduction of new ones is rather diminishing the significance and prestige of the existing ones; they seem to believe, “It’s taking away how special they are.”
The follower said, “Canelo [is] not even going to remember which fight this was from where he won this belt.” LMAOOOO, dude got one from the Munguia and Munguia fight too.”
The Larger Implications
This controversy comes at a time when the boxing world is already buzzing with discussions about the sport’s direction. With the proliferation of belts, many fans and analysts worry that boxing is becoming more about marketing and less about the sport’s competitive spirit. “Can we please stop making new belts?” pleaded one fan, summarizing a widespread sentiment. “It’s taking away how special they are.”
Despite the backlash, the Canelo vs. Berlanga fight is set to be a major event. The card also features returns from notable fighters like Danny Garcia, who hasn’t fought in two years, and Caleb Plant, Stephen Fulton, and Rolando Romero, all of whom are eager to bounce back from recent losses. But as the dust settles on this belt controversy, the question remains: is the WBC enhancing the sport or turning it into a spectacle?
