IBF PRESIDENT EXPLAINS GORRES CASE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 07 Aug 2008
Marian Muhammad.
IBF president Marian Muhammad has taken time out to explain the case of super flyweight No.3 ranked Z ?The Dream? Gorres who has been required to face No. 5 Jorge Arce with the winner moving up to No.1 and a mandatory title shot at newly crowned champion Vic Darchinyan within seven months.
Viva Sports questioned the IBF over the need for Gorres who drew with Darchinyan in a title eliminator last February to have to fight another eliminator in order to earn the No.1 spot and a mandatory title shot.
The following is the explanation of the IBF president who was gracious to spend time trying to explain the situation in response to our serious differences on the issue with IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker.
Ronnie:
I don't know if I can explain this any more clearly than Lindsey, but I will try.
When time permits, we do the elimination bouts between the highest two ranked available contenders to arrive at a #1 challenger for the title. In the case of Kirilov vs. Darchinyan, we already know that Darchinyan and Gorres fought to a draw for #1. Darchinyan was already ranked above Gorres when they fought in the elimination bout and after the draw, Darchinyan remained above Gorres in the rankings. We also already know that after Kirilov completed his last optional bout, he was due to be notified of his mandatory and, therefore, there was no time to schedule a rematch in an attempt to arrive at a winner. Since the rules say the leading available contender when the mandatory becomes due will be designated the mandatory challenger, Darchinyan was named the mandatory for Kirilov. I hope we are together so far.
We already know that when the mandatory bout was completed between Kirilov and Darchinyan, Darchinyan emerged the new champion. Since he was the leading available contender and mandatory when he fought Kirilov, Darchinyan now has nine months within which to make a mandatory. Lindsey will now start going down the list in an effort to get an eliminator done to arrive at a #1 challenger, just as he did with Gorres and Darchinyan, though the fight ended in a draw. If we are able to get an elimination completed within the next 7 months and there is a winner, that winner will be the mandatory challenger. And, if not, whomever is rated in the highest position that will take the fight, will be designated the mandatory challenger.
Here is the bottom line, if Gorres participates in an eliminator and wins to becomes #1, he will be the mandatory challenger. If he does not participate in an eliminator and Lindsey goes down the list of rankings and gets two top 5 available boxers to fight for #1, that winner will be the mandatory. What isn't fair about that? Gorres will be offered the opportunity and if he declines, we will move forward to the next challenger. If two top 5 boxers agree to fight for #1 or #2, the winner (s) will move above Mr. Gorres in the rankings. Are you saying that since Gorres drew with Darchinyan during the previous champion's reign and mandatory period, that he should be designated the mandatory at this time? And are you suggesting that he should sit in the #3 position for 9 months and get a title shot by attrition? That doesn't happen in the IBF because our rules won't permit it. Look at Rule 9, Process of Elimination. It states that we "must notify the two highest ranked available contenders of the obligation to meet in a twelve round elimination bout for #1 or #2................................." Then look at Rule 9.`1 which states "The notice will be sent to the contestants on the first business day after the #1 position becomes available." Therefore, Gorres cannot draw in an elimination bout during one mandatory period and by attrition become the mandatory during another mandatory period.
I am sorry you feel that our rules may jeopardize our activity in the RP, but the rules are the rules and if we must be "hurt" for following them, then it is what it is. I don't know how much more clearly I can explain this and I hope it is understandable now. If there is something I am not saying to your satisfaction, perhaps you should write back again.
Marian W. Muhammad, President
IBF/USBA
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