Isaac “Pitble” Cruz’s battle with his late replacement opponent Omar Salcido will be the WBC interim light middleweight champion in 10 rounds at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Salcido moved from a non-high-profile part of Saturday’s card to a fight with Cruz’s main card to become a replacement opponent.
(Credit: Esther Lin/Prime Minister Boxing Champion)
Unreasonable belts of salcido-cruz?
The WBC’s decision to sanction the fight for their temporary 140-pound title has been criticized by fans because it doesn’t make sense. Salcido (20-2, 14 KO) is losing to Andy Cruz, lightweight battles and starting a lightweight sub-level to replace Angel Fierro, who exited the battle of “Pitbull” Cruz due to an emergency.
The battle with a replacement opponent with the WBC temporary 140 pound title is unreasonable. Subriel Matias won the WBC title from champion Alberto Puello last Saturday night, defending the title in November and against No. 1 challenger Dalton Smith in November. The temporary fight that WBC will make temporary fights look like a kind of money-making.
Dilution belt: Cruz-Salcido radiation
Cruz (27-3-1, 18 KO) and Salcido’s WBC interim 140-pound title confuses fans as it dilutes the value of the belt. Pitbull ranked 3rd, WBC ranked 3rd, Salcido didn’t. It makes sense to put the temporary title at stake when Cruz fights #7 WBC Angel Fierro. However, once forced to quit due to his health emergency, there should be no temporary title.
Apparently, Cruz and Salcido will not object to letting the WBC interim title fight. Putting their hands on that belt might be extra money because they have a belt that caught the winner’s attention.
Earlier today, Cruz weighed 138.8 pounds and Salcido weighed 139.4 pounds on Friday’s weigh.
Last updated on July 18, 20125
