WBC President Clarifies : Bermane Stiverne must fight Deontay Wilder next

By Bradley Dee: In a statement by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, Bermane Stiverne must fight his mandatory challenger next, who happens to be Deontay Wilder. Contrary to this statement, Don King released last week that Bermane has an optional defense available to him.

Just 3 days ago Pulev was listed as Wladimir Klitschko’s next fight on boxrec, and that is gone now, and it looks like Wlad is going to attempt to get Stiverne in the ring with him in September and pay some step aside money to Wilder, and maybe even Kubrat Pulev, which Pulev would be crazy to take. If Wlad DOES get Wilder to step aside and fights Stiverne, he will have to fight Wilder next, which leaves Pulev in the cold again. Wilder wants 10 million to step aside which is absolutely insane and he will never get it. My feelings are either Pulev or Wilder are not going to allow this unification.

In an attempt to clarify, I sent a letter to the WBC asking for clarification.

Letter to the WBC Below:

Good Morning-

I write for Boxingnews24.com. The boxing community is asking for clarification from the WBC on a few things and I have been tasked to write an article on it.

Could you please clarify if Bermane Stiverne is allowed an optional defense before he has to defend against his mandatory challenger Deontay Wilder?

Don King says he gets an optional defense and DOES NOT have to fight Wilder next, yet today a press release says the WBC president says he has to fight Wilder.

Please clarify. The fans want to know why Don King says one thing and the president of the WBC says another thing.

Thank You
Bradley Dee
boxingnews24.com

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Response from the WBC

Dear Mr Dee

The WBC stated clearly during the press conference , during the post fight releases that the ruling from the annual convention is what will be the official position of the WBC.

The mandatory contender is Deontay Wilder and he is in line to fight champion Stiverne next , unless he accepts to step aside to allow another fight to be considered for WBC sanctioning .

Sincere regards

Mauricio Sulaiman