The 63rd Annual World Boxing Council (WBC) Convention held in Bangkok, Thailand, has moved forward with crucial decisions on mandatory defenses for champions across all divisions. This event, taking place from November 30 to December 5, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis Queens Park Hotel, brought together promoters, champions, and officials to shape the professional boxing landscape in the coming months. The resolutions directly impact star figures like Oleksandr Usyk and Terence Crawford, setting eliminators, special permissions, and even vacant titles, generating great anticipation in the boxing community worldwide.
Context of the Convention and Its Importance
The 63rd WBC Convention marks a milestone by coinciding with the first event dedicated also to WBC Muaythai, expanding the Council’s reach into other combat sports. During the main assembly, updated rankings were reviewed, and mandatory defenses prioritized to ensure ring activity and fair opportunities for top contenders. These annual meetings, held previously in various locations, serve to align fight calendars with official rankings, preventing stagnation and promoting high-stakes matchups.
The focus on mandatory defenses responds to the need to maintain competitive integrity, especially in talent-rich divisions. Past sessions have catalyzed super fights, and in Bangkok, this was no exception, with announcements echoing in expert predictions and breaking news on specialized platforms.
Decisions by Division: Heavyweight and Cruiserweight
In heavyweight, champion Oleksandr Usyk received permission for a voluntary defense, expressing interest in facing Deontay Wilder, who holds a high WBC ranking (around 8 or 9). His mandatory will be decided in an eliminator between Lawrence Okolie and Moses Itauma, while interim Agit Kabayel will fight Damien Knybe in Germany. This flexibility for Usyk, undefeated and unified champion (WBC, WBA, IBF), opens the door to a generational clash that could elevate viewership.
Moving to cruiserweight, a rematch between Badou Jack and Noel Mikaelian was confirmed for December 13 in the United States. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, named WBC Ambassador, will be the mandatory challenger, with Ryan Rozicki and Ryad Merhy competing for final positions. In light heavyweight, David Benavidez was cleared to contest the WBA/IBF cruiserweight title, delaying his local commitments.
Vacancies and Changes in Middleweight Divisions
A major announcement was the vacancy of the super middleweight title after Terence Crawford failed to pay his last two sanctioning fees and showed lack of communication with the WBC. Interim champion Christian Mbilli will face Hamzah Sheeraz, with the winner to fight Lester Martínez; meanwhile, Luka Plantic and Jaime Munguía will determine the mandatory challenger. This move, seen as a «slap» by officials, recalibrates the division and opens pathways for new contenders.
In middleweight, Carlos Adames will defend mandatorily against Meirim Nursultanov. Super welterweight saw adjustments due to Sebastian ‘Towering Inferno’ Fundora’s injury, postponing his fight with Keith Thurman to next year; Vergil Ortiz negotiates with Boots Ennis (WBA interim), and Fundora was congratulated for his admission to Harvard engineering.
Updates in Welterweight and Lower Divisions
Mario Barrios, welterweight champion, will face Ryan García, with Conor Benn as the mandatory for the winner, positioning Benn as a rising star after moving through middleweight. At super lightweight, Subriel Matías, on probation for inadvertent Ostarine intake from supplements, will defend against Dalton Smith on January 10.
Shakur Stevenson, lightweight, will move up to challenge Teófimo López (WBA super lightweight), with an interim eliminator between Ricardo Núñez and Jadel Herrera. In super featherweight, O’Shaquie will face Stephen Fulton (featherweight), and Mark Magsayo vs. Michael Magnesi will be the final eliminator on January 31. Featherweight features interim Bruce Carrington against Carlos Castro on the same day, following Fulton’s rise.
Japan Shines in Lower Divisions
Naoya Inoue, super bantamweight and pound-for-pound star, will defend against Alan David Picasso on December 27; if victorious, he aims for Junto Nakatani in May at Tokyo Dome. A semifinal between third and fourth ranked fighters completes the scene. In bantamweight, Takuma Inoue (Naoya’s brother) is the new champion, with Estrada vs. Nasukawa set for the mandatory challenger.
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodríguez (super flyweight) recently won, with mandatory opponents pending. Flyweight grants voluntary defenses to Ricardo Sandoval and interim Gal Yafai. Minimumweight has Carlos Cañizales on hiatus due to Venezuelan travel restrictions; Knockout CP Freshmart vs. Junior Zárate will fight for the vacant title. Strawweight features Melvin Jerusalem in voluntary defense, with Siyakhowa Kuse vs. Joey Canoy as the final eliminator.
Impact on Boxing: Economic, Social, and Sporting
These decisions invigorate a vibrant 2026 calendar, with economic potential in fights like Usyk-Wilder or Barrios-García, attracting sponsorships and views on promoters’ and analysts’ YouTube channels. Socially, honors such as Wlodarczyk’s or Fundora’s Harvard admission highlight educational values in sport. Sporting-wise, eliminators ensure meritocracy, benefiting accurate predictions and up-to-date news for global fans.
Culturally, Japan’s dominance with the Inoue brothers shines, while the US sees fascinating matchups like Ortiz-Ennis. Economically, vacant titles like super middleweight revitalize stagnant markets, boosting betting and streaming.
The WBC mandatory defenses meeting at the 63rd WBC Convention reshapes boxing by balancing established stars with emerging talent and prioritizing nonstop action. These resolutions structure the immediate future and promise an explosive 2026, keeping the WBC as a cornerstone of the sport.
