By Jim Calfa: WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman says the winner of this Sunday’s Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury fight will receive a top 15 ranking at cruiserweight with their organization.
Mauricio says the winner will be ranked near the bottom of the WBC’s rankings at or near the 40 spots, and it’ll be up to them to try and climb upwards.
To get a higher ranking, the Paul-Fury winner will need to do the following:
1. Be active
2. Fight WBC-ranked contenders
3. Records
4. Location of fights
5. Experts’ view
Sulaiman feels both fighters have shown a lot of ability, particularly the 26-year-old influencer Jake (6-0, 4 KOs), who clearly possesses world class punching power in his right hand and an excellent chin.
Many boxing fans are against the idea of Paul and even the 23-year-old Tommy Fury being given a ranking by the WBC.
Jake vs. Fury winner to receive WBC ranking
“The winner [of Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury] will be ranked by the WBC,” said Mauricio Sulaiman to Fight Hub TV. “We ranked 40 fighters per division, and Jake Paul, we’ve been in close communication for more than five years.
“I would say at the lower end of the rankings to start with,” said Suliaman when asked where the Paul vs. Fury winner will be ranked in the WBC’s rankings. “40 is the lowest number. It used to be 30,” said Sulaiman when asked what is the lowest number in the World Boxing Council’s rankings per division.
“We increased the activity and the booming of boxing, we increased it to 40 fifteen years ago. So it’s 40 fighters per division. In Bridgerweight, we have 25. Yes, that’s what I guess,” said Sulaiman when asked if Jake will be ranked around 40 if he beats Tommy Fury on Sunday.
“Yeah, there are several criteria for the WBC’s rankings. There’s activity, level of opposition, where do you fight? Do you fight at home, or do you fight abroad? The records. Did you win convincingly? Did you win close?
“There are many aspects. Also, there’s the expert’s view because you can be a 10-8 fighter, and you can go and beat a 10-0 fighter. It depends on where you have fought, who you have fought, and the experience you get. So there are many criteria,” Sulaiman said.
Jake Paul has shown talent
“He won an amateur belt of the WBC, and we have followed and been in close communication, as I say. Nobody can deny the skills that he’s developed, and nobody can deny the punching power. He seems to have a chin, and his boxing is a lot better than people say he’s not a boxer. He is a boxer.
“He trains, he dedicates, he has passion, and he respects the sport. It would be discrimination for a fighter to look for his career because he’s an influencer. So I will say to those who do not agree, we’ll see what happens in time.
“Tommy Fury is a fighter from a great heritage, from a family. His brother is the heavyweight champion of the world. We’ll see what happens, but I feel very strong. Whoever wants to make a case for that, we’ll see.
“Well, he is a boxer. He’s 8-0 and he’s going to be fighting. He is a boxer. I see him as a boxer. I’ve seen him fight. The last fight with [47-year-old former UFC champion Anderson] Silva was very impressive, and they say Silva is not a boxer and that he’s old. It’s okay; we’ll see what happens,” said Sulaiman.
Paul brings millions of people to watch
“It’s something that is good for the sport in the way that he brings millions of people to watch,” said Sulaiman. “The WBC does not make any money from Jake Paul and boxing. This is supporting a case. Tommy Fury is a fighter. So the cruiserweight division is a division that doesn’t have as many fighters as many others. So there’s a possibility.
“The talent is shallow, so I feel comfortable that we’re not doing an injustice to anyone. We like to go against authority. That’s the nature of sports. The WBC is not sanctioning this fight. We’re not charging a fee. We’re here to support boxing.
“If Jake Paul and Tommy Fury make a good fight, an entertaining fight, it’s going to be entertaining for the sport,” Sulaiman said.