By Boxing Bob Newman
After meeting this morning, concerning strong comments made by former WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi regarding the expulsion of Russian fighters from the ratings, the WBA has decided to reinstate Russian and Belarusian Boxers in their rankings. As long as these fighters are not involved in the war against the Ukraine and do not openly support the war, they may be rated. At the outset of the war, the WBA voted to not rate Russian or Belarusian Boxers, nor sanction WBA fights in those countries.
The WBA is a disgrace and they have further tarnished an already sullied reputation by these bigoted discriminatory and fascist actions. Unless an athlete politically capitulated to the WBA’s politics, they recognized by the WBA. This sanctioning organization is finished in my book
They arent recognized*
First of all, why would it matter period if the fighters were Russian or Belarusian? Race should not matter regardless of politics in the boxing world. The US has been guilty of bullying their way(s) into other countries and taking lives, but no accountability there in the boxing ranks. Just saying…
Thats a fact! And furthermore, for a Russian or Belarusian fighter to be recognized by the WBA they have to agree with the WBA’s politics too?? Its outrageous! This is unacceptable. Its bad enough the WBA creates 100 champions per division for the sanctioning fees, now theyre playing the role of fascists? The WBA is done! I’ll never recognize them as a legit title and i believe the WBC also took this same bigoted course as well
Absolutely PATHETIC!!!! Agree with the war or not it is a citizens right to support their country!! Why not ban all American boxers from the rankings because US loves to terrorize smaller countries. Also, the US is using the Ukraine to launder money. The Ukraine government is one of the most corrupt on the planet. I am not a Russia supporter by any means. The fact that they were banned from the World Cup and boxing rankings is an absolute JOKE!!
It’s a citizen’s right to support their country and it’s a private organization’s right to choose who they do business with.
It’s not like the NFL where if a player is banned he has nowhere else to go. If he’s not ranked by the WBA but has a good promoter or manager he’ll be ranked by one of the other organizations.
The WBA should have some guts and stick to their stance if that’s what they feel is right.
Thats a fact! Ukraine is no more innocent and the United States current government is involved in a criminal conspiracy regarding this war but nevertheless, what does a Russian fighter have to do with it? Its nonsense! Even Max Schmeling had the opportunity to win and fight for the title during the height of Nazi rule and WW2. The WBA has completely and forever disgraced itself. They should have not adopted this Leftist turn for the worse, they destroyed themselves
Love your posts, Berserker! You always keep it real.
Who the hell is the WBA to dictate what political stances boxers may have or what they say? First of all, most Russian boxers don’t even live in Russia, but that’s besides the point. The WBA has lost so much credibility in recent years. I gotta say, I am liking Paulie Mallignaggi a lot these days, both as a commentater and as a statesman for the sport. Ironically, didn’t he get fired from Showtime for making a benign comment about Russian boxers that the network went out of their way to perceive as racist?
Paulie calling them out on a public forum where they cant hide caused the change of heart. The WBA is still a joke. Our recognition of the real champion per division is what truly matters. The belts are just accessories that longer hold value.
All of their “champions” should collectively throw the WBA belts in the garbage like Bowe did. Only this time, we have the means for everyone to see it live.
Funny I don’t seem to remember the WBA removing any american boxers from the rankings when the US invaded Iraq, Afghanistan or any other number of countries in the last 40 years The WBA has become the worst organisation in boxing
If Russia invaded an African country would y’all be outraged too? Would y’all want the sanctioning organization not to rant Russian boxers? I doubt it. Athletes have no control over what wars get started so why are they punished? Made zero sense for them to lost their ranking in the first place.
Even if Russia did invade an African country, fascism should never be tolerated in the sport of boxing! Youre such a bird brained racist you miss the forest for the trees. There is nothing racial about the outrage here, its about the freedom of an individual to believe what they want, and to support their own country if they so wish. Whose the WBA to dictate what political beliefs you should have? The United States invaded helpless countries, even African countries and there was no such ban. Youre making a completely asinine assessment arbitrarily accusing folks of racism as if this is a “white” “black” issue, man get over yourself
You know what? Who cares? Boxing and politics don’t mix, never have. In fact, it unites others regardless of color to root on their favorite fighter. The WBA did what every person with no heart or a brain and became a follower in this fake social justice agenda. I love boxing watch it, compete in it, train for it, and I will equally box any person any day. And that’s the way it should be!
For interest’s sake, Russia has had huge involvement on the African continent through the years, north to south, in politics, wars and supplying arms. Agree with your point re racism, and how people try pull racism into everything.
So sad it is always the citizens that suffer the most, and like in this discussion, the sportsmen/women, suffer the most where there is war or political strife. Put the politicians in the front line and see how quickly their arrogance and wiseass talking would disappear.
Nikolai Valuev is back as #1 contender after this

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