Oscar Rivas vs. Ryan Rozicki Will Fight for the WBC World Bridgerweight Title

WBC Press

Everything seemed to be ready and in place for this coming October 22nd with two men poised to make boxing history by competing in the inaugural fight for the WBC World Bridgerweight Title. The WBC recently created the Bridgerweight Division, which spans from the upper limit of Cruiserweight Division of 90 kilos (200 pounds) to 101 kg (224 pounds).

Originally, Oscar Rivas and Bryant Jennings were scheduled to fight for that title at the Olympia Theater in Montreal, Canada. However, Bryant Jennings will no longer participate in that fight. The WBC has learned that Bryant was not able to subject himself to the Canadian government’s entry requirements concerning COVID-19, or with the post-arrival mandatory quarantine.

To continue to fully support promoters of WBC events during the still ongoing world pandemic, and to help Groupe Yvon Michel to hold the event as scheduled, the WBC has agreed to sanction the WBC World Bridgerweight Title bout between Oscar Rivas (27-1-0; 19KO´s) and the #18 WBC-ranked Cruiserweight boxer Ryan Rozicki (13-0; 13KO´s). Ryan is willing and able to satisfy all the governmental and commission-established safety requirements the ongoing pandemic has imposed upon promoters and fighters. The WBC requires that Rozicki comply with all the medical and administrative requirements of the WBC and the local commission, as well as the laws of the country of Canada.

We are aware that vaccines prevent people from getting seriously ill or dying from complications caused by this virus, and that is why most of us get vaccinated, specifically to prevent its spread. The greater the number of vaccinated people, the lower the contagion rate.

As an organization, the WBC respects the beliefs and decisions of our fighters. However, the WBC must also respect and abide by the governmental laws and regulations of each country where WBC-sanctioned events take place. While we are very sorry that Bryant Jennings is no longer one of the contenders for the world title of the newly created WBC Bridgerweight Division, our commitment to minimize the risks the pandemic presents continues. The WBC family is excited and thrilled about the prospect of crowning the first WBC World Bridgerweight Champion.