WBC News: Sulaiman speaks about Jones Jr-Tarver rematch

03.02.04 - From WBC President Jose Sulaiman: "After so many days of waiting, the WBC has decided to give both light heavyweight world champion Roy Jones Jr. and No. 1 ranked official challenger Antonio Tarver until February 17 for free negotiations, and have that as the date, as well, to hold the purse offer if no agreement is reached.

"It is our intention to expedite the process of finding out if either or both of the fighters are going to accept the fight or decline it, so that the WBC can proceed according to its rules and regulations. That is, if Tarver declines the purse offer and the mandatory fight against Jones, then the WBC would appoint the next highest available contender as the official challenger. If Jones declines the mandatory fight, then the WBC would declare the title vacant.

"Antonio Tarver lost the title to Roy Jones Jr. in what the WBC considers to have been the toughest fight in the whole career of Jones, who was elected, along with Oscar Larios, WBC "Boxer of the Year 2003" by the WBC Board of Governors.

"The WBC's 42nd annual world convention will be held from October 3 arrival, to October 9 departure. The host hotel will be the Phuket Arcadia Hilton. This is going to be a very important convention, as it will be dedicated to the restructuring of boxing within the rules and regulations of the WBC to adjust to the present times."