The World Boxing Association has added another “world title” to Saturday’s Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven event in Giza despite growing uncertainty surrounding whether some secondary belts in boxing could soon disappear altogether.
The WBA officially elevated the currently static Rolando “Rolly” Romero to Super World Champion this week before approving Shakhram Giyasov vs Jack Catterall for the vacant WBA welterweight title on the Egypt card.
The decision means another world champion will now be crowned on an event already headlined by Usyk defending the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles against Verhoeven.
The WBA stated the ruling was supported by its regulations, which allow the Championships Committee and WBA President to designate Super Champions under “exceptional circumstances” and “in the best interest of the sport.”
WBA belt expansion
It is no secret how World Boxing News feels about the WBA’s continued title expansion after years of reform promises, reversals, interim belts, secondary champions, and repeated vows to simplify the system.
This latest move feels even stranger given the growing pressure surrounding proposed Ali Act amendments in the United States.
Oscar De La Hoya’s appearance at a Senate hearing on boxing reform all but confirmed TKO’s push for structural changes is picking up serious momentum behind the scenes.
One of the key proposals would limit sanctioning bodies to one recognized world champion per division.
If adopted, the WBA’s long-running multi-belt structure — including Super, Regular, Interim, and Gold designations — would immediately come under pressure.
That leaves Saturday’s newly approved Giyasov vs Catterall title fight in a strange position before a punch has even been thrown.
Whoever leaves Giza with the WBA belt could theoretically see that championship stripped away almost as quickly as it arrived if the proposed reforms accelerate.
Giyasov vs Catterall title
The decision also lands after years of confusion surrounding the WBA welterweight picture.
As WBN previously reported, Giyasov spent close to three years waiting for his mandatory opportunity while Romero chased bigger commercial fights involving names such as Manny Pacquiao, Ryan Garcia, and Devin Haney.
Now Romero has been elevated while Giyasov and Catterall suddenly fight for another version of the title.
The wider frustration surrounding the WBA’s structure is hardly new.
WBN recently outlined how the organization’s recognized champion count climbed back to 42 across 18 divisions despite previous reform phases aimed at reducing belt clutter.
That expansion has repeatedly created confusion for fighters and fans alike.
One of the clearest examples came when Kubrat Pulev was widely celebrated as Bulgaria’s first heavyweight world champion despite only holding the WBA’s secondary “Regular” belt while Usyk remained the recognized ruler of the division.
For many boxing fans, that moment summed up the growing disconnect surrounding championship labels in the modern era.
Now another belt has been added to the pile in Giza even as boxing’s entire title structure edges closer to its biggest overhaul in decades.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. His work is distributed across major platforms, including Apple News. Read full bio.
