Heavyweight Champions resume

**K-DOGG** · 02-10-2015, 08:10 AM

While how many other champions a "Heavyweight Champion" fights can be informative as to the quality of opposition, it is also misleading and era-biased.

What I mean is this, up until the 1980's, there was only one world heavyweight champion. While facing off against other "titlists" can be indicative of the quality of opposition, it also can be overblown in importance by overlooking eras where there were fewer or none of these other "titlists" around. Indeed, the fact that there are so many multiple titlists for other "titlists" to face is indicative of the fragmentation of the sport.

To truly get a perspective on how good or "great" a fighter was, it is important to look past the hardware to the records of the opposition. Sam Langford, for example, never fought for a world title, yet, does anyone question his greatness? What about Sonny Liston? Sonny was avoided like the plague by Cuts D'Matto for at leas 3 years as h wiped the division clean of contenders before Patterson went against Cus's wishes and answered the challenge.

For sure, it is a valid test of today's champions, to an extent; but can also be blown out of proportion with the shortage of paper titlists in past eras and the presence of promotional blockages in the present.

**Ray Corso** · 02-10-2015, 08:54 AM

To many BS titles from the late 80s on!! The WBA & WBC were the only federations prior to all these silly titlists. Hell 75% of the heavyweights today couldn't be sparring partners compared to past titlists! Ray

**The Old LefHook** · 02-14-2015, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by Ray Corso

To many BS titles from the late 80s on!! The WBA & WBC were the only federations prior to all these silly titlists. Hell 75% of the heavyweights today couldn't be sparring partners compared to past titlists! Ray

And that goes for both galute Klit bros. Not even good sparring partners for the greats of yesterday. It certainly goes for Wilder, who would have been beaten by at least 10 fighters from Ali's era. The Pillsbury dough boy from England would probably not make a good sparring partner for even the galute Klits. That is how far down boxing quality has sunk.

**Ben Bolt** · 02-14-2015, 08:12 PM

Originally posted by sonnyboyx2

Here is a look at some Heavyweight Champions records and to put them into perspective. Here is a list of how many other World Champions they each fought.

1/. Holyfield - 22
2/. Wlad Klitschko - 16
3/. Tyson - 15
3/. Lewis -15
5/. Muhammad Ali - 13
5/. Holmes - 13
7/. Louis - 12
8/. Vitali Klitschko - 10
8/. Foreman - 10
10/.Marciano - 4
10/.Frazier - 4

I can imagine there have been some research behind this post, so because of that I accept it.

But, what I definitely can�t accept is how the boxing orgs have been allowed to turn boxing into ridicule for the last two-three decades.

Boxing has now got the reputation as �the sport that has more champs than challengers�.
MMA and other martial arts don�t mind - they flourish at the expense of the devaluation of the boxing sport.

Let's face it - WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, they've all been disastrous to boxing.

**Scott9945** · 02-14-2015, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by Ben Bolt

I can imagine there have been some research behind this post, so because of that I accept it.

But, what I definitely can�t accept is how the boxing orgs have been allowed to turn boxing into ridicule for the last two-three decades.

Boxing has now got the reputation as �the sport that has more champs than challengers�.
MMA and other martial arts don�t mind - they flourish at the expense of the devaluation of the boxing sport.

Let's face it - WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, they've all been disastrous to boxing.

And you ain't seen nothing yet. 2015 is the year of the PBC. With the money and television time they have you can't just wish it away.

**Ben Bolt** · 02-15-2015, 04:59 AM

Originally posted by Scott9945

And you ain't seen nothing yet. 2015 is the year of the PBC. With the money and television time they have you can't just wish it away.

Living in Europe, I don't know much about PBC, but what I understand boxing is to return on American national telly (?). If I got it right, it must be good for the sport. Or?

**K-DOGG** · 02-15-2015, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by Ben Bolt

Living in Europe, I don't know much about PBC, but what I understand boxing is to return on American national telly (?). If I got it right, it must be good for the sport. Or?

I will make a bold prediction. If, IF the fights are good quality, this move by Hay on will save the sport over here and usher it back into the mainstream, where it belongs, initiating a new boxing renasaince in the states.

**Suckmedry** · 02-15-2015, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by K-DOGG

I will make a bold prediction. If, IF the fights are good quality, this move by Hay on will save the sport over here and usher it back into the mainstream, where it belongs, initiating a new boxing renasaince in the states.

We gotta see drama filled fights here. I love the sweet science as much as anyone but the guys on this show need to bring fireworks, it will lead to them getting paid more and the sport getting back up there in the public consciousness.

Wheres Arturo Gatti when you need him RIP. jeez he would have been great on this show.

**Scott9945** · 02-15-2015, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by Ben Bolt

Living in Europe, I don't know much about PBC, but what I understand boxing is to return on American national telly (?). If I got it right, it must be good for the sport. Or?

Putting aside whether more TV coverage is good for the sport, many experts believe that Haymon will abandon the alpha-belts and create his own. The major problem with that is it would (presumably) be restricted to fighters who are signed up exclusively to him. That would be similar to the UFC and WWE models.

Heavyweight Champions resume