Thanks god it is NOT 1 belt era

[BoxingParadigm]

enforced mandatory rule was created in late 60s, several years after "one belt era" ended. contrary to popular belief, boxing was never ideal, even when there was only one (at least clear) champion. champions could fight subpar opposition if they wanted for prolonged amount of time. without eliminators and enforced mandatories today, despite what casuals think, every champion would just protect his 0 against literal plumbers and taxi drivers until he was 35 and then cash out. it would be unbearable to follow. that would be even worse than the current state of boxing.

one belt per division (or undisputed champion) is great when champions and contenders are ACTIVE. it's bad when they are grossly inactive. if someone's absolutely the best two years ago, it doesn't mean he is the best now. every champion should prove it every year against highest rated contenders.

Okay, but surely going back to one belt wouldn't make it impossible to impose a mandatory. Mix in the best of both worlds. Besides, I still think it would be much harder to avoid all the smoke in the division when you're the only champion. Not impossible, as Canelo has done this with Benavidez and Morrell, but still harder.