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Obviously boxing titles are a dime a dozen these days. Thirty years ago, we had the WBC and the WBA. Not too bad. Unification matches can make thngs interesting and one guy doesn't get to be called the undisputed champion unless he wins both.
Then came the IBF in the 1980s. So now there are three. Getting worse but still not totally ridiculous. And then of course the advent of 16 weight divisions instead of 8. Okay, we just went from 8 titles to 16 to 24 to 48.
Is something weird happening?
And then the WBO in the 1990s. Oh for how long was it looked down upon? And then finally around the end of the 1990s or maybe the early 2000s, it was recognized as one of the big boys while the WBF, WBU, IBO, IBA and whoever else involved was considered champion.
From 48 to 64 now.
64 guys can claim to be a "world" champion.
Even so, we then have the RING title come along which makes sense to differentiate. Of course, they don't always have a champion and when their title is vacated, well, we're left with no champion for a while.
And then we get even more complicated! The WBA introduces Super champions. Of course there are regular World champion(because World champion is so ordinary). So now let's tack on another 16 which brings us up to 80 possible world champions.
Are you confused yet?
We also have WBC Silver belts whatever the hell they are and then WBC interim belts and champion emeritus too.
Now while the whole thing is ridiculous and the boxers of pre-1980 must be turning in their graves, a Super champion is flat-out stupid. Let's just whip up another belt that can be put on the line and make a fight a title fight.
What is the answer? I am not sure. If these organizations were to go bankrupt, that would clear up some of the mess, but I don't see that happening too soon. I suppose the boxing commissions could agree not to sanction the fights as title fights. Good luck with that.
I recall on Raging Bull how Jake LaMotta tried to pawn his championship belt but instead traded the jewels and ended up with nothing since a world title belt was worth something...back then.
Nowadays, there must be thousands of belts to pawn. So I guess like the dollar, the value is down to nothing. It's a real shame, too.
Anyone have any ideas about how any of this could go away? I know the old days are gone, but this has gotten way out of hand.
Then came the IBF in the 1980s. So now there are three. Getting worse but still not totally ridiculous. And then of course the advent of 16 weight divisions instead of 8. Okay, we just went from 8 titles to 16 to 24 to 48.
Is something weird happening?
And then the WBO in the 1990s. Oh for how long was it looked down upon? And then finally around the end of the 1990s or maybe the early 2000s, it was recognized as one of the big boys while the WBF, WBU, IBO, IBA and whoever else involved was considered champion.
From 48 to 64 now.
64 guys can claim to be a "world" champion.
Even so, we then have the RING title come along which makes sense to differentiate. Of course, they don't always have a champion and when their title is vacated, well, we're left with no champion for a while.
And then we get even more complicated! The WBA introduces Super champions. Of course there are regular World champion(because World champion is so ordinary). So now let's tack on another 16 which brings us up to 80 possible world champions.
Are you confused yet?
We also have WBC Silver belts whatever the hell they are and then WBC interim belts and champion emeritus too.
Now while the whole thing is ridiculous and the boxers of pre-1980 must be turning in their graves, a Super champion is flat-out stupid. Let's just whip up another belt that can be put on the line and make a fight a title fight.
What is the answer? I am not sure. If these organizations were to go bankrupt, that would clear up some of the mess, but I don't see that happening too soon. I suppose the boxing commissions could agree not to sanction the fights as title fights. Good luck with that.
I recall on Raging Bull how Jake LaMotta tried to pawn his championship belt but instead traded the jewels and ended up with nothing since a world title belt was worth something...back then.
Nowadays, there must be thousands of belts to pawn. So I guess like the dollar, the value is down to nothing. It's a real shame, too.
Anyone have any ideas about how any of this could go away? I know the old days are gone, but this has gotten way out of hand.
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