Ward vs. Dirrell Now With the WBC Title At Stake

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 09.07.2010

Kessler stripped and their bout is now a unification match.


Photo by Laura De la Torre

Well the WBC is at it again in relation to ridiculous decisions as yesterday afternoon, the organization voted on stripping Mikkel Kessler of his title and naming him "champion emeritus" after Kessler withdrew from the Super Six World Boxing Classic due to an eye injury.

Kessler had won the title via close decision over Carl Froch in their recent bout and was set to defend it against Allan Green before pulling out. The dubious organization has now decided to name the winner of the Andre Ward vs. Andre Dirrell bout as its champion, given Dirrell's position as #1 contender, instead of giving Kessler the opportunity to defend it when he gets back in the ring. Kessler will be given first crack at the belt upon his return.

The Ward-Dirrell bout was already a title bout as Andre Ward will defend for the second time, his WBA super middleweight title; a belt he won against the aforementioned Kessler late last year.

In a prepared statement, WBC president Jose Sulaiman said, "The WBC accepted to support the Super Six Tournament organized by Showtime and five different promoters from around the world and have participated at all times to support its progress and its success."

As it stands, the fight between Ward and Dirrell still has no date and no venue.