Kosei Tanaka gains WBO "super" Champion status
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Earlier today the WBO released a statement recognising Kosei Tanaka (15-0, 9) [田中恒成] as the WBO Flyweight "super" champion. They did so at the request of the Tanaka's promoter Hatanaka Gym, lead by Kiyoshi Hatanaka., and listed the reason why they had given him the status.
The WBO "Super" champion status isn't another belt, like the WBA belt, but is more a recognition which gives the champion extra benefits.
It does actually take a bit searching to find out what the WBO "Super" champions actually get as benefits, or privileges as the WBO suggest, but they are listed in section 14 of their regulations:
The WBO "Super" champion status isn't another belt, like the WBA belt, but is more a recognition which gives the champion extra benefits.
It does actually take a bit searching to find out what the WBO "Super" champions actually get as benefits, or privileges as the WBO suggest, but they are listed in section 14 of their regulations:
(1) EXTENSION OF MANDATORY TITLE DEFENSE.
The Championship Committee may extend a Super Champion’s mandatory title defense for good cause shown one or more times beyond the time provided for in the WBO Regulations for World Championship Contests for
the purpose of giving a Super Champion opportunity or opportunities to unify the titles of more than one major sanctioning body either in a unification bout or a unification tournament, or any other important match or matches that the Committee determines would contribute to the Super Champion’s legacy or would be of great interest to boxing fans.
(2) ELIGIBILITY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR DESIGNATION AS THE MANDATORY CHALLENGER IN HIGHER OR LOWER DIVISION.
If requested by a Super Champion, the Championship Committee may designate the Super Champion as the mandatory challenger for the immediate higher or lower division.
(3) ELIGIBILITY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR DESIGNATION AS THE MANDATORY CHALLENGER IN SAME DIVISION.
If requested by a Super Champion who has lost his title and who wishes to fight for the title again, the Championship Committee may designate the Super Champion as the mandatory challenger in the Super Champion’s division.
(4) An Honorary member of the WBO for life
It would seem likely that Tanaka, who been rumoured to be heading up in weight to challenge fellow Japanese world champion Kazuto Ioka (25-2, 14) [井岡一翔], who holds the WBO Super Flyweight title.
However it could also have been requested to delay a mandatory title fight, with Tanaka's last mandatory coming back in August against Jonathan Gonzalez, and the WBO rules on compulsory defenses state a mandatory must be made every 9 months. Giving Tanaka until May to defend his title. This could help set up a potential unification bout instead, something that Tanaka and his team have also sp0ken about.
Interestingly the WBO's regulations do also explain that the privileges of a Super Champion can be lost:
(f) LOSS OF PRIVILEGES
(1) All Super Champion privileges referred to in Section 14(d) shall be terminated in the event (a) a Super Champion violates any of the WBO Rules and Regulations, (b) for unsportsmanlike conduct or activities unbecoming to a professional boxer, (c) for drug abuse (of either illegal drugs or performance-enhancing drugs), or (d) conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.
(2) “The Super Champion Privileges referred to in Section 14(d)(1) to 14(d)(3) shall be terminated in the event (a) of the loss of any boxing contest, or (b) when the WBO Champion relinquishes the title, unless the WBO World Championship Committee recommends that Super Champion status be retained and a majority of the WBO Executive Committee resolves that Super Champion status be retained."
It's going to be interesting to see what Tanaka does with his "Super" championship status, and whether it's staying at 112lbs and unifying or pursuing the much mooted super fight with Ioka, it seems hard to question Tanaka's desire to prove himself as a fighter wanting challenges.