Crowning And Recognizing A Lineal Champion – Part I

**crold1** · 02-16-2009, 02:41 AM

Originally posted by BIGPOPPAPUMP

By Jake Donovan - Purists suggest that it's the influx of alphabet organizations that led to the demise of boxing. Too many people calling themselves champion, not enough clarity or accountability in those divisions where such titlists refuse to unify or even take risks. [details]

Awesome work Jake.

**Silencers** · 02-16-2009, 03:07 AM

Good article but I think Michalczewski's resume is better than given credit for in this article, it is by no means the best resume but it wasn't that bad and is pretty solid. And I agree, like it or not, Erdei is the the lineal champion.

**miron_lang** · 02-16-2009, 03:09 AM

Havent read it yet. but the title is AWESOME enough for me!! Good WORK!!!!

**Shadow boxer 3** · 02-16-2009, 06:39 AM

good artical

**MANGLER** · 02-16-2009, 07:04 AM

Good read.

**Ishy Aytan** · 02-16-2009, 07:13 AM

Quickly went through the Light Heavy part of the article. Didnt really understand it.

Can someone sum up the light heavy part of the article for me please?

Thanks.

**The Monk** · 02-16-2009, 07:20 AM

Good stuff Jake. Look forward to part two.

**BattlingNelson** · 02-16-2009, 07:23 AM

Nice work in outlining the lineage of the LHW's and Erdei's claim to the throne. This is a must-read for those who keeps claiming RJJ was the linear champ.

Nice work on the other weightclasses as well. The lineage can also be seen at cyberboxingzone.

I look forward to read part 2 Jake!

**JakeNDaBox** · 02-16-2009, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by Ishy Aytan

Quickly went through the Light Heavy part of the article. Didnt really understand it.

Can someone sum up the light heavy part of the article for me please?

Thanks.

Zsolt Erdei is the lineal champ, based on beating Julio Gonzalez, who beat Dariusz Michalczewski, who beat Virgil Hill, who beat Henry Maske when both were the top two light heavyweights at the time of their fight.

Michalczewski was stripped of his belts shortly after the Hill fight. In a span of less than two years, Jones collected the alphabet belts.

The Ring, along with many American journalists, ignored historical lineage and instead declared Jones "THE" champ at 175, which meant that in their minds, THE title went from Jones to Tarver, to Glen Johnson, back to Tarver, to Hopkins, to Calzaghe and is now vacant.

The Ring has Hopkins as their #1 contender, which means that if Dawson (#2) and Johnson (#3, I believe) were to rematch before Hopkins decides to retire, a champion still wouldn't have been crowned in their eyes. Hopkins has expressed zero interest in a Dawson fight, which is why whether or not he retires has a huge effect on future matches atop the LHW division.

All of that is reason alone why it's easier to accept Erdei as the lineal champ, even if he's clearly not the best LHW in the world.

Hope that helps

Crowning And Recognizing A Lineal Champion – Part I