WBO is considering not ranking Russian fighters due to invasion of Ukraine
The WBO is looking to drop the hammer down on Russia and its boxers as a result of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
All around the world, from the United States to the United Kingdom and Australia, sanctions are being replaced on Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, following the start of the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions go from the economical sense to even decisions that affect sports events.
Now, it appears one boxing sanctioning body — the World Boxing Organization (WBO) — is considering bringing down consequences of its own.
In a statement made on Twitter, with several media outlets tagged, WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced that the sanctioning body is considering not placing any Russian boxers in its rankings for the duration of the invasion.
Along with that, Valcarcel says the WBO may also not “sanction world titles and regional bouts in Russia.”
WBO President: Russian fighters may not be ranked following Russia invasion of Ukraine
Wbo is considering not to sanction world titles and regional bouts in Russia and not including Russian boxers in its ranking for as long as the invasion of Ukraine lasts @JakeNDaBox @DanRafael1 @pugboxing @wbcmoro @DPBOXING @GilberticoWBA @KlitschkoNews @espn @SkySportsBoxing
— Paco Valcárcel, Esq. (@PacoValcarcel) February 25, 2022
Should the order to de-rank Russian fighters go through, this would affect at least 18 currently listed on the WBO rankings as of February 2022.
Fighters that would be affected include No. 1 ranked junior heavyweight contender Murat Gassiev, No. 3 light heavyweight contender Maxim Vlasov, No. 4 super middleweight contender and WBO European super-middleweight champion Aslambek Idigov, and No. 10 heavyweight contender Evgeny Romanov.
Gunfire, explosions and airstrikes in the nation have resulted in approximately 100,000 people fleeing, according to The Guardian. The Independent adds that there were 137 deaths and 316 wounded less than a day into Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
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The Klitschko Brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, longtime former heavyweight champions, just recently announced that they will be taking up arms and joining the frontlines in Ukraine’s battle against the Russian invasion. Vitali has served as Mayor of Kyiv and head of the Kyiv City State Administration since 2014. Kyiv is the country’s capital and most populous city.