By Gabriel F. Cordero
At a press conference held Tuesday in Panama City, Panamanian WBA featherweight champion Celestino “Pelenchín” Caballero insisted he will continue fighting for his rights against the WBA and refuses to accept the decision the WBA World Championships Committee announced on Friday granting additional time to promoter Sampson Boxing to pull together a bout between Caballero and mandatory challenger Mikey Garcia by September 7. Caballero reiterated his willingness to fight Garcia, but stated that Garcia is already planning to fight Orlando Salido for another belt and he will use all legal means to make sure the WBA follows its own rules.
He said his lawyers will file an appeal for reconsideration of WBA’s decision requesting the following:
1) That Sampson Boxing ensure that if Garcia doesn’t sign the contract for the fight, that Caballero will be compensated for his expenses.
2) If Garcia agrees and signs the contract for the match, that Caballero will be compensated for the additional time spent in preparations for the new date.
3) If Caballero-Garcia doesn’t happen, Caballero wants the WBA to order a fight between him and WBA featherweight “super” world champion Chris John who hasn’t done a mandatory fight in more than 30 months. Or alternatively be granted a voluntary defense.
