WBO asks Algieri to vacate 140-lb title

MANILA, Philippines – Chris Algieri, who challenges Manny Pacquiao on November 24, is no longer a world champion.

This after the WBO announced that Algieri will have to relinquish his WBO light welterweight title in order to challenge Pacquiao, the WBO welterweight boss.

The Puerto Rico-based sanctioning organization made the surprising move during their 27th annual convention at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas late last week. Algieri won the 140-pound crown by upsetting Ruslan Provodnikov in June this year, setting himself up for a clash with Pacquiao at The Venetian Macao.

Though Pacquiao and Algieri will meet at a catch weight of 144 pounds, the Filipino’s welterweight title will still be on the line.

Meanwhile, the WBO’s decision to strip Algieri of his 140-pound crown was seen as a controversial one by some media outlets. According to Scott Christ of badlefthook.com and ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael, Algieri should’ve been given a choice on which title to defend if he beats Pacquiao.

Under that claim, if he emerges victorious, Algieri is supposed to hold both the WBO light welterweight and welterweight titles. That would no longer be the case.  – Dino Maragay