Unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman has voluntarily relinquished his WBC title while he recovers from the effects of elbow surgery last year and a hand injury he suffered in training camp last month. After speaking with WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman recently, Thurman decided that he would relinquish the title and open the way for former champions Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter, the two leading contenders for the WBC title, to fight each other for the championship while Thurman made a full recovery from his injuries.
“Due to my rehabilitation from my injuries, I agreed to relinquish my WBC title at this time. I continue to rehab my hand and elbow and I look forward to getting back in the ring this summer. This is a temporary setback and I will be the unified champion once again and look forward to winning back my WBC title as soon as possible,” Thurman
Sulaiman stated that the WBC supports Thurman’s decision and is giving him a direct path to regain his belt, once he’s healed—as the organization has done with other champions in the past.
“Keith Thurman, unfortunately, has suffered two consecutive injuries that have kept him out of the ring after his sensational victory over Danny Garcia and he has graciously relinquished his title, and the WBC has mandated that Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter will fight for the title,” Suliaman said.
“Keith will have a direct path to fight for the title once he has healed just as Vitali Klitschko and other WBC champions have done in the past. Keith is a tremendous athlete and champion and role model and the WBC will support him completely during this difficult time.”
The WBC is expected to order Danny Garcia vs Shawn Porter for the vacant title as both are ranked #1 and #2 respectively. Looks like the welterweight division will be heating up really soon.
Thurman still holds the WBA title while a decision from the WBC is expected to come down at any moment now.
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