Commonwealth Council insist Norton must defend against Vea

The Commonwealth Council has ruled that Rob Norton must defend his cruiserweight crown against mandatory challenger Dominic Vea, despite the fact that Vea was beaten in his last contest.

Australian promoters Core St Promotions won the purse bids to stage Norton-Vea in New South Wales this Saturday (8 May). However, confusion over the Vea’s status as mandatory challenger following his eight-round split decision against fellow countryman Anthony McCracken on 8 April placed the contest in doubt.

The Commonwealth Council has released the following statement following their Spring meeting.

“Despite his recent loss in Australia, the Council have determined that Mr Vea’s position as Mandatory Challenger to Champion Rob Norton should be maintained. Norton’s defence is scheduled to take place in Australia in July at Perth. The Council’s decision was based on reports of the contest, medical reports subsequently received, and a recommendation from Frank Hadley, CBC Director, on behalf of the Australian National Boxing Federation.”

It remains to be seen whether Norton will elect to relinquish his Commonwealth cruiserweight title to concentrate on defending his British crown. The 38-year-old from Stourbridge needs to make only one more defence to secure the Lonsdale belt outright.