A representative of Zuffa Boxing has contacted the British Boxing Board of Control regarding the possibility of its newly created championship belt being recognized in the United Kingdom.
The move follows a high-profile week for Dana White’s organization, which saw Turki Alalshikh unveil the new Zuffa title and the announcement that Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton will contest it at cruiserweight on March 8. The surprise signing of Conor Benn has further intensified interest in the promotion’s plans, with speculation that Benn could eventually compete for the new belt.
Robert Smith, General Secretary of the BBBoC, confirmed that discussions have taken place but stressed that no formal application has been submitted. “I’ve had verbal conversations with the UK representative of Zuffa Boxing about the possibility of the belt being recognized here in the future,” Smith said. “It was just a conversation at this stage, no formal request was made.”
Currently, the BBBoC recognizes titles from the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO only. Other sanctioning bodies have previously seen requests rejected. However, Smith left the door slightly open. “Should we get a formal request from Zuffa, alongside the evidence and further information that we would require, then [recognizing the belt] is something that we could consider.”
Smith also made clear that recognition of a belt would not shift regulatory authority. “The belts do not alter who is in control of the event. Belts are from sanctioning bodies, we remain the governing body. The Board regulates the event. That won’t change.”
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