During 2024, we have already seen divisions blown open by either moves up in weight or inactive champions. It appears as though the super-featherweight scene is next in line, as Emanuel Navarrete (38-1-1) prepares to make the jump to 135lbs knowing all too well how to utilise and benefit from the WBO’s option to activate ‘super-champion’ status.
This ruling automatically enforces Navarrete, or any other WBO champion, as the mandatory challenger for the same belt in a higher weight-class after moving up and thus lines him up for a shot at lightweight gold. But one of the main contenders for his potentially vacant super-featherweight title looks to have been harshly treat by the sanctioning body.
The WBO super-featherweight title picture
‘Vaquero’ has held the WBO crown in all three of his conquered divisions to date and will seek to become a four-division WBO champion when he takes on undefeated Ukrainian lightweight Denys Berinchyk (18-0) on his debut at 135lbs on May 18th, in the hopes of picking up the vacant title that previously belonged to Devin Haney.
Meanwhile, Oscar Valdez (#4) and Liam Wilson (#2) fought for the WBO interim super-featherweight title at the end of March, despite both men coming off of losses, with Valdez triumphing with a knockout win and earning either a rematch with Navarrete or a shot at the vacant belt as a result.
Archie Sharp left in the dark despite #3 rankings
However, the WBO’s decision to sanction this fight for the interim belt came just two months after their refusal to do the same for a proposed match-up between two undefeated contenders. America’s Albert Bell (26-0) and Britain’s Archie Sharp (24-0), who were ranked #1 and #3 respectively, and the latter boasting the longest unblemished (including draws) record of any active fighter from the United Kingdom.
On social media, both Bell and Sharp fumed at the WBO’s nonsensical decision, with the Roy Jones-trained 130lber stating that he was “lost for words” after his proposed opponent’s initial tweet of frustration.
Meanwhile, speaking to Bloody Knockout, Archie Sharp told of his disappointment and confirmed that he will be looking to change his promoter and secure a fight in the near-future, before pursuing a well-ranked dance-partner in the WBO to climb the rankings and apply added pressure on the sanctioning body.
“It was definitely a shock as I received an email at the start of the year from the WBO saying they wasn’t going to allow me and Albert Bell to fight for it, as Navarette hasn’t got to fight a mandatory until January 2025. So they refused us both for final eliminator and refused us for WBO interim.”
“Both [Valdez and Wilson] are with Top Rank who obviously have a good relationship with the WBO… I was ranked number 1 for 2 years and didn’t even get a shot at the title.”
“I feel like the WBO had a plan for what fights they wanted to make happen, now I’ll be signing with a new promoter, so things should hopefully change now.”
“The plan for me is to get back fighting on a big platform, then who ever we can get in the WBO for a big fight.”
What next for the WBO super-featherweight title?
‘The Sharpshooter’ has fought just once during the last twelve months, that being an eight-round tick-over against Victor Julio (16-9) at York Hall back in December. As a result, Sharp has dropped to fifth in the WBO rankings and may need to face Bell soon if he is to get back into the title picture. Whilst Bell has been far more active, securing three consecutive knockout wins within the last eight months.
Emanuel Navarrete’s position as ‘super-champion’ means that he does not have to oblige to face his mandatory challenger until next February, should he opt to remain at super-featherweight, which he would likely only do if he lost to Berinchyk.
On the other hand, a win for the Mexican would give him ten days to choose which belt he would like to relinquish and assumably open up the door for a new WBO super-featherweight champion, with Oscar Valdez now the frontrunner after being allowed to jump the queue.