Badou Jack Vacates World Title, To Move To Light Heavyweight
Badou Jack left the Barclays Center still holding the WBC super middleweight, but less than a week after his majority draw decision against James DeGale, Jack is relinquishing his title to make a move up to light heavyweight.
Jack notified the governing body of his decision and the WBC said in a statement it gladly accepts Jack’s move up to light heavyweight and title vacancy.
“The WBC has received official notification from WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack, who has decided to move up in weight and compete in the light heavyweight division,” the WBC said. “Consequently, the super middleweight championship of the world has been declared vacant. The WBC is extremely proud of Badou Jack, who is our Ambassador of Good Will and Peace. He has been a role model outside the ring with his exemplary behavior and his beautiful family, his wife Jasmine, and his baby daughter, Malaniyah. The WBC wishes Badou Jack continuous success and the best of luck in his boxing career, hoping that one day he will compete for the light heavyweight championship of the world.”
Jack and DeGale were unifying the WBC and IBF super middleweight titles on January 14, but the bout ended in a majority draw (114-112 DeGale, 113-113, 113-113), which meant both men retained their respective titles.
Jack and promoter Floyd Mayweather did say post-fight that Jack was moving to light heavyweight because he was having trouble staying at the 168-pound limit of the super middleweight division. No official announcement as to who will challenge his vacant title.
The current world champions at light heavyweight (175-pound limit) are Andre Ward (WBA “super,” WBO and IBF), Adonis Stevenson (WBC), Nathan Cleverly (WBA “regular”) and Dmitry Bivol (WBA “interim”).
