Hamzah Sheeraz is longer listed in the WBO rankings. As of last week, he was rated number one for the title held by Janibek Alimkhanuly. This was the first edict of their new president, Gustavo Olivieri, who after 10 years of being their in-house counsel takes over this post from Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel.
It looks as though the talented Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs) will focus his attention on the WBC belt-holder, Carlos Adames. With that, the WBO wanted to keep the flow of traffic moving in their middleweight rankings.
Olivieri explained his decision to SNAC.com, "We had received information that Sheeraz wanted to fight for the 'BO title. He was coming up, he had fought for a regional title, he was moving up the rankings, and thereafter when he occupied the number one position, he had the merits to be mandatory. We ordered the negotiations, after a couple of days we received a letter from Queensberry Promotions (which represents Sheeraz) saying, 'thank you for the opportunity,' -- but they were pursuing another route."
courtesy of Gustavo Olivieri
And this edict is something that was already a WBO regulation.
"The Championship Committee has the discretion, where by if one of the top two fighters rejects an opportunity to fight for the title after being designated for the mandatory, the committee can exclude the fighter from the rankings, or can drop him in the ratings. So I decided to exclude him from the ratings. That was our decision with Sheeraz," he explained.
He promises that they will consistently enforce this rule. It's become more and more evident that boxers and their managements are squatting on number one rankings in hopes of having difficult champions move up, and hoping to fight for vacant belts against lesser foes.
courtesy of Gustavo Olivieri
In the case of Sheeraz, he is making the choice to fight for another champion that might be lesser risk, or more lucrative. But he shouldn't be accused of 'ducking', like some are. Sheeraz is rated second in the division by Ring Magazine, with ironically Alimkhanuly being rated number one. (Adames is ranked third)
"Absolutely," said Olivieri,"why would I just leave a guy that is pursuing another route, occupying a spot that would be held by another up-and-coming fighter? I think that's the correct way. Obviously, if our rules include that provision why not enforce it consistently?"
Another point of emphasis for the new leader of the WBO is to have boxers not just be ranked number one, but to be worthy enough to get the mandatory designation, not just through mere attrition. They announced on Tuesday that they are ordering a bout between junior welterweight contenders, Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza for the mandatory spot for Teofimo Lopez.
Olivieri makes it clear, he's not reinventing the wheel but enforcing edicts that have long been in place. While also evolving with the times. "It's like the law, the law changes through jurisprudence. We have to do that because times change. We need to adapt."
For years, the amiable Olivieri was a staple at WBO title fights alongside Valcarcel, who guided this organization from a fringe belt, to one that is considered one of the major sanctioning bodies in the sport. A couple of months ago, Valcarcel intimated to Olivieri that his time as WBO president would be coming to an end.
"I had no clue 'Paco' was even considering me," he said. "I just started as an intern, I was already a licensed attorney with my own practice as a trial lawyer."
The past decade was spent being mentored by Valcarcel, learning the nuances of the often illogical and intricate boxing business.
courtesy of Gustavo Olivieri
"Each year I got more responsibility, and he delegated more obligations to me. As far as the last two years, I was basically running the WBO internally. Obviously, the big decisions were made by 'Paco' in consultation with him," he explained.
But taking this role was not an easy decision for Olivieri. He understood that taking this mantle means not just power and influence but scrutiny.
"My personal life is going to be challenged to some extent because I have to travel a lot more, the phone never stops, the emails, people requesting favors, lots of interests involved -- you can't please everybody," said Olivieri, who has a well-earned reputation as being a friendly and personable sort. "Sometimes it's hard to say no, primarily to friends."
But this was simply a once-in-a-opportunity he couldn't pass up. This lawyer is now a certified ''boxing guy''.
"I hope so, I think I've earned my stripes. There's still much to learn."
