"Five belt era" or "post belt era" - what's more likely?

[famicommander]

It’s possible.

It happened with the WBO which once upon a time was no different from the IBO.

Pretty much all the belts really.

The IBF was founded in 1983 and was recognized as legit in 1984 when Larry Holmes chose the IBF over the WBC
The WBO was founded in 1988 and was recognized by the WBA in 1999, WBC in 2004, and the IBF in 2006
The IBO was founded in 1988 and is still not recognized

I feel like if the IBO were going to be recognized it would have happened by now.

[IronDanHamza]

The IBF was founded in 1983 and was recognized as legit in 1984 when Larry Holmes chose the IBF over the WBC
The WBO was founded in 1988 and was recognized by the WBA in 1999, WBC in 2004, and the IBF in 2006
The IBO was founded in 1988 and is still not recognized

I feel like if the IBO were going to be recognized it would have happened by now.

That’s true.

But you never know.

[famicommander]

That’s true.

But you never know.

Ironically I think their best chance was in women's boxing, because they actually started crowning women's champions before the WBC, WBA, IBF, or WBO.

But they failed to get fighters like Claressa Shields or Katie Taylor to fight for their belt. The next tier down (in terms of star power) like Serrano, Cameron, and Braekhus have been happy to fight for IBO titles but the top two names in the sport don't seem to care.

[Jsmooth9876]

I'm fine with 4 belts. What I'm not fine with is regular belts, silver belts, franchise titles, etc... It's all a money grab for these corrupt alphabet organizations. In a perfect world the ring title would be the only belt out there but it will never happen.

[Toffee]

The no belt, or single belt era could only really happen if there's a collapse in boxing money and a single owner could take over top level boxing.

Otherwise, I think we'll be at 4 for some time.

Actually, I've always wondered how an organisation would go about being un-recognised. I guess the other orgs would need to drop their recognition... but how bad would an org need to be before that happens? They're pretty bad now - what could be the tipping point?

[dan-b]

The no belt, or single belt era could only really happen if there's a collapse in boxing money and a single owner could take over top level boxing.

Otherwise, I think we'll be at 4 for some time.

Actually, I've always wondered how an organisation would go about being un-recognised. I guess the other orgs would need to drop their recognition... but how bad would an org need to be before that happens? They're pretty bad now - what could be the tipping point?

I think the WBA have sailed close to the wind a few times. I know it's not quite the same thing, but their "title reduction plan" was instigated by a letter from the Association of Boxing Commissions following the Maestre - Fox "interim" welterweight title controversy in August 2021. They have since vacated all "interim" titles and have eradicated 70% of their "regular" titles. I gather the "regular" title can't be unified with the other belts either, so there's partial lack of recognition there.