The WBC is advocating for the implementation of instant replay to review contentious incidents during the December 21 rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. This rule, established by the WBC in 2008, has rarely been used due to governance conflicts.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) opposes video replays, arguing that the required pause for a conclusion could harm the sport. Their significant role in Saudi Arabian boxing events contributed to the denial of replays in the first Usyk-Fury bout in May. Other sanctioning bodies involved in the fight—WBA, IBF, and WBO—also do not recognize video replay, leading to the WBC's motion being rejected.
Mauricio Sulaiman, head of the WBC, emphasized the importance of video replay for ensuring fairness in boxing matches. He stated:
"Video replay is a rule that the WBC has had for a few years but it is a complicated situation with the BBBoC as they do not accept its use."
The BBBoC oversaw the entire Usyk-Fury undercard but did not govern the main event, though they influenced the rules and officials' selection. Sulaiman noted the complications with the BBBoC’s influence over the Middle East Professional Boxing Commission, explaining that the WBC insisted on reserving the right to use instant replay to correct any major controversies. However, the practicality of overriding the event’s governing body and other sanctioning bodies during a fight remains uncertain.
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In a notable instance from 2019, Sulaiman reviewed replays during the Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Charlie Edwards fight, changing the result to a no-contest after determining the finishing blow was illegal. This decision, though controversial, remains in the record books.
Additionally, Sulaiman is lobbying for the use of six judges instead of the traditional three for the Usyk-Fury rematch.
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