While not quite spitting his dummy, Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves has voiced his disquiet with the World Boxing Council in a strong-worded missive to HQ in Mexico.
“I fear it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind with them,” said Berman, who enjoys a strong relationship with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.
He has made a special case for four fighters – Ryno Liebenberg, Xolisani Ndongeni, Simphiwe Khonco and Johnny Muller.
“Ryno lost a razor-thin decision to Erik Skoglund, a fight which, respectfully, could have been declared a draw elsewhere. Yet Skoglund is rated ninth and Liebenberg doesn’t crack the top 40.”
Then there’s Ndongeni.
Berman explains: “He’s a young man of exceptional potential, unbeaten in 21 fights. He’ll be making his debut in the US on November 4, yet is ranked a lowly 21 by the WBC.”
He feels similarly about Simphiwe Khonco. “Again, this is a fighter of obvious potential who lost a very close decision to Hekkie Budler, yet is ranked only 10th by the WBC.”
Not done, he also took aim at them for abandoning Johnny Muller. “He lost a very competitive decision to Micki Nielsen, yet, despite Nielsen’s number 10 ranking, Muller does not appear in the top 40 of the WBC. This is a very unfair reflection of Muller’s ability.”
Berman insists he isn’t looking for favourable treatment, just a fair shake.
The WBC’s response will be interesting, to say the least.
