Published: December 07, 2009

Official WBC Response to Holms/Hernandez

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"The World Boxing Council was shocked to learn that the mandatory elimination bout in New Mexico on December 4 between Holly Holm (USA) and Melissa Hernandez (PR), did not happen due to the decision by Mellisa Hernandez not to participate in the main event at the last minute.

This is a total lack of respect to her opponent, the promoter of the event Lenny Fresquez, the rules and regulations of the WBC and the local commission, and of course the fans of boxing who paid to watch this event. The WBC accepted no sanctioning fee for this event.

Given her outstanding record, the situation, and the fact she was a former WBC Champion, the WBC is appointing Holly Holm as the mandatory contender for the WBC Welterweight Championship of the World, due to this unfortunate turn of events. Further the WBC will suspend Hernandez from the ratings of the WBC, and from challenging for any WBC related championship, pending a full and timely investigation of all the facts and direct statements from miss Hernandez.

The WBC, its President Jose Sulaiman, and the WBC Female Championships Committee is fully committed to fairness in boxing, and is saddened by this terrible situation, and will work very hard to resolve this issue."

Ed Pearson Chairman WBC Female Championships Committee

Jill Diamond World Boxing Cares World Boxing Council North American Boxing Federation www.WorldBoxingCares.com