The World Boxing Council (WBC) is adding a new weight division to its ranks. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman revealed that the new weight division will be for boxers in the 200-224 category and is something inspired by Bridger Walker.

Considering the WBC and other boxing bodies have been criticized for having too many weight divisions and world titles, the latest move is expected to draw flak from pundits. Sulaiman, however, is trying to defend the addition of another weight class.

On one end, he says the new division is meant for fighters who have grown out of their weight. However, he failed to mention the names of boxers who fought at that level. That list includes Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones and Alexander Povetkin, Boxingscene reported.

   

Also, Sulaiman said that the new division was to honor a six-year-old kid named Bridger Walker. It was in July when Bridger defended his younger sister from being attacked by a German Shepherd. Bridger took the hit for that but it was his bravery that inspired not only the WBC but known personalities today. Bridger was pretty protective of her sister, a story of which was narrated in detail via Instagram.

"We have decided to create a new division called Bridger, as it is the bridge necessary to serve the large number of boxers who are between 200 and 224-pounds. This name is inspired by that hero of humanity, that six-year-old boy who heroically saved his four-year-old sister from an attack by a wild dog during the pandemic; yes, this new division is inspired by Bridger Walker," Sulaiman said.

Regardless, the move will be under fire with a lot of boxing fans and fighters likely to air their piece. Floyd Mayweather Jr. had already fired early shots on the true intent of the boxing bodies, saying that too many titles and champions are confusing people. Much of this was tackled in a previous post.

"Too many champions. It’s not a such thing as a super champion, not at all. And I’m not taking nothing away from no fighter. It’s too many belts,” Mayweather said at the time.

Mayweather is one of the select personalities to question the intent of the boxing bodies. He pointed out that the sport has been all about money, detailing how each body takes in a percentage of sanctioning fees from both champions and challengers. The boxing bodies take up three percent of each camp. The IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO charge promoters a flat fee for sanctioning title fights.