By Hilmar Rojas

Venezuelan Alfonso Blanco is now officially being recognized as the interim-middleweight world champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA).

He won the crown on October 10 in Caracas, Venezuela, when he defeated Russian contender Sergey Khomitsky on points over twelve rounds.

However, official recognition to Blanco (12-0, 5 KOs) as the interim champion could only occur after Chris Eubank Jr. defended the title this past Saturday.

World Championships Committee had granted permission to Eubank  to defend the crown a final time, on the condition of bring stripped at the end of the fight with Tom Jeter, who was demolished in two rounds.

Eubank Jr. was stripped before the contest for inactivity, but submitted a request for one final defense.

Meanwhile, Blanco has been informed of now receiving the official recognition from the WBA and now he will be placed in the next set of rankings with interim champion status.

For his part, Eubank Jr. will face Gary "Spike" O'Sullivan in December in a WBA final eliminator for a shot at the "regular"; title which is held by Danny Jacobs, who defends against Peter Quillin in December.