Badou Jack becomes Mayweather’s third world champion

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather Jr has a reason to celebrate more than a week before he takes center ring against Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

Swedish-born “Money Team” member Badou Jack defeated Anthony Dirrell by majority decision to win the WBC super middleweight title on Friday, April 24 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Ill. One judge scored it even at 114-114 while the other two scored it for 115-113 and 116-112 for Jack (19-1-1, 12 knockouts).

Alhamdulillah we did it!!! I am the NEW WBC super middleweight champion of the world! AllahuAkbar! pic.twitter.com/OU2ni91wfI

— Badou Jack (@BadouJack) April 25, 2015

The 31-year-old Jack outworked Dirrell (27-1-1, 22 KOs), who overcame non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma to defeat Sakio Bika for the title last August. 

Jack becomes the third fighter signed to Mayweather Promotions to win a world title, joining Ishe Smith, who defeated Cornelius Bundrage to win the IBF junior middleweight title in 2013, and Mickey Bey, who won the IBF lightweight title in September with a split decision over Miguel Vazquez.

Mayweather wasn’t at the fight as he is wrapping up training for his May 2 fight with Pacquiao. Mayweather’s Twitter account didn’t acknowledge the championship victory, but posted a video featuring other members of Mayweather’s camp who will fight on his undercard. 

Check out the TMT boxers who are fighting on my May 2nd undercard #MayPac https://t.co/uGLsmNVUKr

— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) April 25, 2015

Mayweather now widens the championship gap between his company and Pacquiao’s MP Promotions at 3-1. In 2009, Rodel Mayol won the WBC junior flyweight title while signed to Pacquiao’s promotional company. – Rappler.com