Devin Haney‘s dream to become a world champion became a reality last week, even if it’s probably not the way he pictured it in his REM sleep. The Bay Area native, 20, became the youngest boxing titleholder when he was awarded the WBC lightweight belt. If you’re thinking that’s the same belt that Vasyl Lomachenko had so are we. They never fought so how could that be? Well, the WBC was in a giving mood, also designating the Ukranian boxing superstar as its “Franchise Champion.” Say what? Don’t worry, you’re not alone as boxing Twitter was equally as befuddled:
Even the WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman couldn’t explain what was up:
Still confused? So are we. Let’s try to figure it this sh$t out.
What the hell is a ‘franchise champion?’
In WBC’s words, it’s a “special designation and status which the WBC may bestow to a current WBC world champion, who is also an elite boxer and who has achieved and maintains the highest of statures in the sport.”
Short term, it meant that Lomachenko relinquished the WBC lightweight title, and the interim champ, Haney, inherited the belt. It also means the two don’t have to fight for Loma’s mandatory defense, much to the chagrin of boxing fans who would love to see that fight.
Can you lose the “franchise championship?”
The “franchise championship” sounds like a value-brand title meant to protect boxing’s biggest stars. You can’t “win” it from the titleholder. Instead, if a fighter defeats a “franchise champion,” he gets a WBC diamond belt, which gives him an immediate mandatory title shot for the current WBC champion. This sounds like something from WWE, not the “sweet science.”
Can a “franchise champion” win a WBC belt?
Technically, yes. However, the title would likely be vacated, as the rule states that the organization may recognize another champion in the division that the “franchise champion” competes in. So if Lomachenko packs on some pounds and moves up to heavyweight and beats Deontay Wilder for the WBC title, the belt would either be vacant or handed to Dillian Whyte, who is the interim champion. More realistically, Lomachenko could reclaim his old belt by beating Haney, but he wouldn’t have to hold it or defend it.
Has this happened before?
Earlier this year, Canelo Alvarez was bumped up to “franchise champion,” and like Haney, interim WBC middleweight champ Jermall Charlo was unceremoniously handed the official WBC world title. In the past, the WBC has had similar titles for fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Vitali Klitschko.
Will this affect future match-ups?
If we’re using Canelo as precedent, then no. The guy just moved up two weight classes to fight the division’s kingpin. Lomachenko has always chased top competition, so we most likely won’t see a step-down in his opponents. With that being said, if a “franchise champion” wanted to abuse this designation, they hypothetically could. It would allow them to weasel out of difficult fights and pick their spots a lot easier without the weight of a belt slowing them down. That would never happen in boxing, right?
Lastly, why?
Probably money. There’s a good chance WBC will get some plump sanctioning fees every time Canelo or Loma step into the ring. Cynicism aside, it also gives more boxers a chance to hold a world title and it promises two charity appearances each year for the WBC.
