I think the Boxing boards are at fault as well to be fair. If they just enforced there own rules instead of letting promoters run the show then there would be less of a problem. There are timeframes for defences but they don't get enforced.
Directly from the WBC current rules.
3.1 Timing of Defenses. The WBC’s policy is to offer opportunities to boxers to compete for its titles, and thus the WBC seeks to prevent titles from being frozen due to inactivity by champions. Therefore, a WBC champion should strive to defend the title in mandatory or voluntary defenses at least three (3) times a year, unless a written exception or extension is granted by the WBC in its sole discretion. Therefore, a WBC champion should strive to defend his title at least every one hundred twenty (120) days unless otherwise permitted by the WBC in its sole discretion. Upon winning a title, a WBC champion must defend the title within 90 to 120 days or as otherwise ordered by the WBC, unless otherwise ordered or permitted by the WBC in its sole discretion.
3.2 Recognition Subject to Forfeit. A champion who does not defend his title within the periods set forth herein shall forfeit his title, unless the WBC in its sole discretion otherwise permits. Further, the WBC may also withdraw recognition of a mandatory or qualifying challenger for inactivity or failure to engage in any bout ordered by the WBC. A WBC champion may not compete for hold a championship of another organization unless permitted by the WBC in its sole discretion.
3.3 Qualified Challengers. Champions shall defend their titles, either in a voluntary or mandatory defense, against a challenger (each, a “Qualified Challenger”) in one of the following categories:
(a) any of the top ten (10) rated contenders; or
(b) with the approval of or ratification by a majority of the Board of Governors,
i. any boxer rated 11 to 15;
ii. a champion or a highly-rated boxer of another weight division;
iii. another WBC champion, such as a WBC Diamond or Silver Champion, Champion Emeritus, or Champion in Recess;
iv. a former world champion or other elite challenger;
v. a champion of another boxing organization recognized by the WBC; or(c) under special circumstances and with the approval of or ratification by two-third (2/3rd) of the Board of Governors, a contender not otherwise listed in one or more of the above categories.
3.4 Voluntary Defenses. In order to fulfill their requirement to defend the title regularly in a timely manner, champions shall propose voluntary defenses against Qualified Challengers as defined above. No bout shall qualify as a voluntary defense other than as permitted by the WBC in accordance with these Rules & Regulations or any WBC rulings. Any bout (voluntary or mandatory) in which a WBC World Champion would compete for or defend a title or status other than his WBC World Championship, even if the WBC title is also at stake, is not permitted absent special circumstances, and then only following a prior written request to and approval by the WBC, which in its sole discretion may approve, deny, or impose such terms and conditions as it may determine appropriate under the facts and circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
3.5 Mandatory Defense Obligations. All WBC champions shall make at least one (1) mandatory defense per year, unless an exception is granted by the WBC in its sole discretion. A champion may be required to make more than one mandatory defense per 14year, if the WBC has designated more than one mandatory challenger for any reason. No bout shall be considered a mandatory defense unless expressly approved as mandatory by the WBC, and made exclusively against an official mandatory challenger designated by the WBC. A challenger who wins the title inherits the mandatory defense obligations of the champion he defeated, unless the WBC in its sole discretion otherwise directs.
3.6 Timing and Extensions of Mandatory Defense Obligations. The time periods for mandatory defenses stated in these Rules may be altered by the WBC in its sole discretion under special circumstances, including if a champion has defended the title in a voluntary defense against a contender the WBC may have deemed a mandatory challenger. No mandatory bout may be contested until such time as is required for a mandatory defense under these Rules & Regulations, including any extensions that may be granted by the WBC in its sole discretion.
Fury won the WBC Heavyweight title in February 20. If the WBC enforced their rules he should have made 11-12 title defences in that time. He has made 3.
October 21 - Wilder - Voluntary - 20 months since winning the title however allowances made as this was during Covid.
April 22 - Whyte - Mandatory - 6 months since last defence
December 22 - Chisora - 8 months since last defence - this was a sham move by the WBC. They bumped Chisora to rank 15 just before the fight was announced so it could be sanctioned as a championship fight
February 24 - Usyk??? - 14 months since last defence if it happens
The WBC have never appointed a mandatory challenger since Whyte. Ridiculous. Just letting Fury get away with taking the pish.
