A pesar de la presión pública y gestiones directas del ex boxeador ucraniano, Wladimir Klitschko, la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB / WBA) determinó aprobar la participación del peleador de Rusia, Dmitry Bivol para enfrentar a Saúl Canelo Alvarez el 7 de mayo en el T Mobile arena de Las Vegas.

El combate será en las 175 lbs (peso Semi Completo).

Este fue el comunicado que publicó el presidente de la AMB, Gilberto Mendoza Jr. sobre Bivol, Rusia, Ucrania y la pelea de Canelo:

“Like all compassionate people who believe in democracy and living peacefully, we at the WBA are heartbroken by the senseless loss of life in Ukraine,” Mendoza wrote. “Seeing innocent Ukrainians, particularly women and children, murdered makes us sad and leaves us feeling somewhat helpless. We’re still beyond proud to watch several of boxing’s bravest current and former champions — Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Viktor Postol — fight for their lives and the future of their families and their country."

“We also understand and respect the position of Wladimir Klitschko, one of our longtime champions, who has asked that we at the WBA, along with the entire boxing world, avoid sanctioning title fights involving Russian boxers while this brutal war continues. Mr. Klitschko specifically called for us to not sanction the upcoming light heavyweight bout between Russia’s Dmitry Bivol and Mexico’s Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. After careful consideration, we have decided that it would be unfair to both Mr. Bivol and Mr. Alvarez to not sanction their 12-round bout as a WBA title fight. We feel we would unfairly punish Mr. Bivol and Mr. Alvarez by boycotting their fight."

“Mr. Bivol does not support the invasion and has been an exemplary champion throughout his long run as a WBA light heavyweight champion, both in and out of the ring. As for Mr. Alvarez, he made a significant career decision before the war began, believing that if he returned to the light heavyweight division for their May 7th bout, he would be afforded the opportunity to win the WBA light heavyweight belt. We feel that denying Mr. Alvarez that opportunity due to a war that has nothing to do with him would be the wrong thing to do."

“Lastly, we will continue to stand with all the bodies by not sanctioning WBA bouts in Russia for the duration of the war in Ukraine, which we hope and pray ends as soon as possible.”

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