By Mark Vester - boxingscene.com
"Moving up in weight comes with a price when dealing with the WBO. Paul Williams, the current WBO welterweight champion, moves up to 154-pounds to face Verno Phillips on November 29 for the WBO's interim-title at junior middleweight. Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel, president of the WBO, informed Williams' promoter Dan Goossen that his fighter, pursuant to the WBO rules, would not be allowed to hold WBO titles in both weight divisions.
"Paul would have liked nothing more than to go to ring as a champion for the fight against Williams on November 29, but Francisco Valcarcel indicated to me that he would not be allowed according to their rules," Goossen told Primera Hora. "Nobody deserves to have the WBO welterweight title without first having to fight Williams."
Once Williams officially vacates the title, the WBO will order a fight between their two highest contenders, Miguel Cotto and Michael Jennings of the UK, with the winner becoming the new champion. There is no guarantee that Cotto accepts the fight.
Cotto is already in position for a rematch with WBA welterweight champion Antonio Margarito for next June. Given the economy and the decline of pay-per-view purchases by boxing fans, Cotto will probably need a stronger and more well known opponent for his first fight since losing to Margarito. Cotto's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, would like to match him with former champion Kermit Cintron, who returns on November 15 against Lovemore N'dou."
That's crap.
