The WBO has put its foot down regarding a potential featherweight title fight between Oscar Valdez and Erick Ituarte.
Although the fight has not been announced, it had been reported that Top Rank plans to have the two boxers fight for the WBO 126-pound title in Reno, Nevada in June. WBO President Francisco Valcarcel took to Twitter to say that the organization will not sanction that fight as a world title bout.
Wbo championship committee won't sanction Valdes vs Ituarbe for the featherweight title
— Paco Valcárcel, Esq. (@PacoValcarcel) May 7, 2019
In an earlier tweet in Spanish, Valcarcel said that the reason why it will not be a title fight is due to the fact that Itaurte is not ranked in the WBO's top 15, making him ineligible to fight for the belt. Valcarcel said the fight would move forward as a 10-round non-title bout.
Me Han preguntado si Valdes defendera su titulo pluma contra alguien cuyo apellido es Ituarte quien no esta clasificado ..peleara 10rds porque por El titulo no sera
— Paco Valcárcel, Esq. (@PacoValcarcel) May 7, 2019
A similar case happened months ago when Valcarcel said the WBO would not sanction a fight between super featherweight champion Masayuki Ito and Jamel Herring due to the fact that Herring was not ranked in the top 15. An official announcement was held off until after Herring was placed in the top 15 and now the two boxers will face off for the 130-pound title on May 25 in Kissimmee, Florida.
