Michael Todd will no longer compete at East vs West, according to co-owner Dexter Tan. In his October 11 update, Tan also announced Todd’s removal from the promotion’s rankings.

Todd has publicly described a criminal case involving a 13-year-old girl. Newly circulated records have renewed scrutiny of his account. Claims about what those records establish still require independent verification.

What Dexter Tan Actually Announced

Tan said Todd would no longer be part of the organization. He described losing the title as a likely consequence, leaving the belt’s formal status less definite than the announcement about future competition.

Fans deserve clear wording on eligibility and title status before the discussion turns to who gets the next opportunity.

Tan also acknowledged objections from viewers who wanted Todd to compete. He said some had threatened to stop buying pay-per-views. He and Robert Baxter still considered removal the right decision.

That’s a difficult position for a promotion built around recognizable names. East vs West has become a central stage for elite arm wrestling. Its choices now carry consequences well beyond one advertised match.

The Reaction Goes Beyond Matchmaking

Justin Bishop publicly backed East vs West’s decision. His explanation focused on young people and the time the sport should spend developing them. That gives his response a practical concern beyond the immediate argument over Todd.

Aussie Armwrestler urged Todd to step away from social media if the newly circulated documents were accurate. A recommendation based on records is only as sound as the material behind it.

The selected fan responses were strongly supportive. Several praised Tan for making the call. They tell us how those viewers reacted, while the wider audience’s position remains harder to measure.

The records deserve the same discipline. A summary circulating online can raise serious questions about a public account. Establishing exactly what happened requires checking the underlying material. Repeating the harshest claim adds nothing to that work.

East vs West Needs Clear Standards

I think the next useful step is a written participation standard. Athletes should know what they must disclose and how the promotion reviews it. Fans should be able to understand the grounds for a decision without piecing together scattered statements.

East vs West’s credibility already depends on being precise about match announcements. That responsibility grows when a decision concerns an athlete’s past.

Todd’s removal makes the immediate position clear. East vs West now needs to explain the remaining title consequences and show how it will apply its standards when the next difficult case involves another valuable name.