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Boxing politics raised Troy Williamson’s hopes and dashed them quite expertly.
This past Sunday, the IBF’s most recent rankings update put Williamson at no. 6 at 168 thanks to his upset of Callum Simpson, putting him right in line for a vacant title bout with Osleys Iglesias after Canelo Alvarez, Jaime Munguia, and Hamzah Sheeraz all declined. Williamson and his team publicly expressed their desire to challenge the Cuban boogeyman, but it’s not to be, as Simpson Ben Shalom tells BoxingScene that they’ve activated their rematch clause and will run it back in May.
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Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KO) is less than a year removed from a rout at the hands of Jahi Tucker that capped off a 1-4 skid, but a move to super middleweight proved to be just what the doctor ordered. After acclimating with a finish of the overweight Mark Dickinson to claim the English title, he overwhelmed the heavily favored Simpson (18-1, 13 KO) for a come-from-behind, four-knockdown stoppage in the tenth.
It’s entirely possible that Williamson and his team knew the rematch was coming and never intended to challenge Iglesias, but it’s still a bummer. Automatic rematch clauses when the A-side got whupped are stupid.
As for Iglesias, looks like those of you that picked no. 7 Pavel Silyagin to get the call can collect your winnings.
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