'This is not sexism' - WBC hit back after Amanda Serrano drops belt in boxing protest
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has defended his organization after Amanda Serrano, a pioneer of women's boxing, dropped the iconic green belt in protest of not allowing three-minute rounds.
World Boxing Council (WBC) president Mauricio Sulaiman has defended his organization’s decision not to allow three-minute rounds in women’s boxing, despite a protest from seven-weight world champion Amanda Serrano. The undisputed featherweight world champion, 35, announced on Tuesday she had vacated the WBC strap after the body’s refusal to sanction three-minute rounds.
Related articles
“The Real Deal” (46-2-1) broke new ground in October when she defeated Danila Ramos by unanimous decision over 12 three-minute rounds in Orlando, Florida, but her WBC belt was not on the line. Women’s championship boxing is typically held over 10 two-minute rounds, creating fast-paced, entertaining fights, but Serrano believes women have the right to fight under the same regulations as men.
“I am the first undisputed female champion to fight 12x3 minute rounds,” Serrano wrote on Instagram. “Moving forward if a sanctioning body doesn’t want to give me and my fellow fighters the choice to fight the same as the men, then I will not be fighting for that sanctioning body.
“The WBC has refused to evolve the sport for equality. So I am relinquishing their title. Thank you to the sanctioning bodies who have evolved for equality! If you want to face me in the ring, you have a choice. I’ve made mine.”
Related articles
However, Sulaiman has issued a defiant response, explaining his the sanctioning body’s decision not to follow the WBO, WBA and IBF in allowing women to fight over three-minute rounds.
"There is not much to say. The WBC has changed the world of boxing in many ways to make our sport safer and will never compromise safety for popularity,” the Mexican told Sky Sports.
"This is not discrimination, this is not sexism, this is not about equality it is about safety and safety only. WBC has specific guidelines and rules for women in boxing, including not charging any sanction fees to any female boxer. We made a strong commitment for safety. We ratified everything that we have studied. Whoever wants to try challenging risks, it cannot be within the WBC structure."
Puerto Rican Serrano is one of the greatest female fighters of all time, appearing in several of the biggest fights ever made, including her showdown with Irish legend Katie Taylor at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in 2022.
Serrano’s decision has been widely supported by the boxing community, including her promoter Jake Paul and American contender Mikaela Mayer, but 53-year-old Sulaiman remains adamant women should fight over two-minute rounds.
"Perhaps it's a coincidence, it came naturally but the two-minute rounds create huge action, great emotions," Sulaiman added. "The risk with fighting for more time, you become more dehydrated and also tired and that is very dangerous. We love the two-minute rounds, especially for protection and safety but also it's a great spectacle."
