Lomachenko becomes WBC franchise champion

The announcement was made at the WBC's 57th annual Convention, at the Grand Oasis Hotel in Cancun, according to the official website of the organization.

The title of "franchise" champion is given to a particular boxer and is not transferred. Upon completion of his career, the "franchise" champion receives the status of "honorary" champion.

At the same time, a mandatory WBC contender, 20-year-old American boxer Devin Haney, who was the interim owner of the lightweight belt, was upgraded to full WBC champion.

According to BoxingScene, the move came at the request of Top Rank, Inc., whom promotes Lomachenko and is grooming the three-division titlist and pound for pound entrant for what was previously pitched as an undisputed lightweight championship showdown with the winner of the Dec. 14 clash between IBF titlist Richard Commey and unbeaten mandatory challenger Teofimo Lopez.

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