Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk rematch could have major rule change as WBC pushes for another alteration

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman wants instant video replay to be used in the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk rematch.

The WBC has instituted the use of instant replay to review controversial actions in boxing since 2008.

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However, several sanctioning bodies and boxing authorities have chosen not to use it.

Before Usyk and Fury’s inaugural meeting on May 18, the WBC demanded the implementation of a video replay.

After much deliberation, they were finally allowed to view it during and after the contest, although the other three major sanctioning bodies (IBF, WBA and WBO) chose not to use it.

If a decision had been overturned by the WBC using a video replay, it is unlikely that the IBF, WBA and WBO would have accepted the decision, which would have led to a complicated situation.

To prevent this from happening in their December 21 rematch, Sulaiman and the WBC are pushing for all organizations involved in the fight to recognize the video replay.

“Video replay is a rule that the WBC has had for a few years, but it’s a complicated situation with the British Boxing Board of Control because they don’t accept its use,” Sulaiman told talkSPORT.com.

“However, during the rules meetings of the last fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, we demanded that the video replay be used for the good of the WBC.

“We’re going to push for this in the Usyk-Fury rematch and in every fight we’re involved in…

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“The Middle East Professional Boxing Commission was the local authority and the British Boxing Board of Control had a lot of influence over it, so they claimed they didn’t have it.

“But ultimately the WBC made it clear that if there was absolute evidence of a major controversy, we would reserve the right to make our own decision using the big screen and correct the decision.

“For the WBC it was in place but not for the others. We want it to be recognized by everyone involved with a proper protocol and system.”

That’s not the only change the WBC wants to make for the Fury vs. Usyk rematch.

They also want there to be six judges instead of the usual three when the heavyweight titans show up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Sulaiman insists this will reduce the possibility of a controversial decision and campaigned for an adjustment ahead of Fury and Usyk’s first fight, to no avail.

The proposal was met with strong resistance from rival sanctioning bodies and organizers, meaning the three traditional judges took their seats at ringside as Usyk took a split decision victory.

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