S. Briggs "Linear HWeight Champ"?

[Moon]

The Feature Article on boxingscene's home page, by David Selwyn, can be added to the list of recent articles and posts that provide stoked-up views regarding Shannon Brigg's supposed "come back". Like so many other writer's, David Selwyn refers to Briggs as the "One time Linear Heavyweight Champion". This seems to be an empty claim.

I've always assumed that Linear is applied to " the guy that beat the guy" or, if the reigning Champ retires as Champ, the next guy (like Vitali for instance) can only gain the Linear title by unifying the division or beating every credible contender.

Briggs had his shot at Lennox and, if he'd had prevailed, he would unquestionably been the Linear guy. But, he's been given the "Linear" tag just the same. Is it because he held a version of the Heavy title? In that case, do we have four "Linear Champs" today in Vitali, Byrd, Ruiz and Brewster?

I'd really like to hear Selwyn's response on this one.

[AintGottaClue]

didnt briggs get his ass ebat by a 45 year old foreman?

[ejk22]

didnt briggs get his ass ebat by a 45 year old foreman?

Yes but they gave the decision to Briggs. I think.

[Kimmy]

The linar champion is Lennox lewis. Being that Lewis has retired there isn`t a real linar champ so to speak. People tend to regard Vitali as the champ on the strengh of his showing against Lewis and his talent. But in all honesty, there isn`t a real linar champ until someone unites all the belts.

[Moon]

But in all honesty, there isn`t a real linar champ until someone unites all the belts.

But, what about Briggs being the Former Linear Champ?

[spinksjinx]

Yes but they gave the decision to Briggs. I think.

Then foreman retired, which makes him the automatic "linear" champ I believe.

[ProBox1]

boxing historians considered Foreman the linear champion since he beat Michael Moorer (even though Foreman dumped the belts), when Briggs beat him, he became the linear champion and when Lewis knocked out Briggs, he became the linear champion.

[Kimmy]

Briggs was the linar champ due to the win over Foreman. Yeah, i didn`t agree with the win for Briggs but it stands.
When Lewis beat Briggs he became the linar champ and the linar title died when Lennox retired.
Vitali Klitscko doesn`t become linar champ on the back of losing to Lewis nor on the back of him being peoples popular heavyweight at this time. For a new champ to be established one must emerge the best and that will only happen when a heavyweight unifies and or beats all comers. Klitscko isn`t fighting Ruiz, Byrd, Brewster or Toney. So he isn`t my linar champ. Byrd isn`t fighting at all and Ruiz....well, so the title is still lennox lewis` or vacant, whichever way you want to see it!

[Moon]

boxing historians considered Foreman the linear champion since he beat Michael Moorer (even though Foreman dumped the belts), when Briggs beat him, he became the linear champion and when Lewis knocked out Briggs, he became the linear champion.

Well, that looks like the real answer to a real question.

But, Rick, you and everybody else (including the historians) know that Foreman did beat Briggs and that George was being sent a message by the judges. No?

In which case, no boxing journalist should tout Briggs as a legitimate "Linear Champ". Call him Former Champ, but, when you have to defend your status as "Linear", then you probably were not that guy.

[joeboxer]

judges don't send messages. It was a bad decison but that is the way that goes sometimes. Briggs was the linear champ, and going into the Lewis fight he didn't even take Lewis seriously. No one did.