Why is Evander Holyfield classified as the only 4 times HW champion?

[KO'er]

I was on boxrec there, and the thought entered my head. Holyfield says he is the only ever 4 times heavyweight champion, but technically Muhammad Ali won the title 4 times too.

Ali won the WBA title when he beat Sonny Liston in 1964, but was stripped off it when he arranged a re-match with Liston, which was against the WBA rules. Ali then beat Ernie Terrell in 1967 to regain the WBA title, but was stripped off it again when he refused to go to Vietnam. So that is 2 times WBA champion, then he beat Foreman in 1974 and then Leon Spinks in 1978 to regain it for the 4th title.

Why is Holyfield peddling all this "Only 4th times heavyweight champions ever" stuff? (Oh, and BTW, Ali was the only 3 times undisputed champion)

[JDezi4]

Ali is listed as a 3-timer so... IDK, if that's true or not, but the history books have him listed as a 3-timer so what can u do

[Battle*Hardened]

What does that even matter. Just means you lost it somehow the time before.

[crold1]

I was on boxrec there, and the thought entered my head. Holyfield says he is the only ever 4 times heavyweight champion, but technically Muhammad Ali won the title 4 times too.

Ali won the WBA title when he beat Sonny Liston in 1964, but was stripped off it when he arranged a re-match with Liston, which was against the WBA rules. Ali then beat Ernie Terrell in 1967 to regain the WBA title, but was stripped off it again when he refused to go to Vietnam. So that is 2 times WBA champion, then he beat Foreman in 1974 and then Leon Spinks in 1978 to regain it for the 4th title.

Why is Holyfield peddling all this "Only 4th times heavyweight champions ever" stuff? (Oh, and BTW, Ali was the only 3 times undisputed champion)

The WBA was considered a joke for stripping him, he was still recognized everywhere else, and, really, can't regain what wasn't lost. Holyfield can claim it because people gave up on treating titles with any integrity and gave in to phony stats. Holy is a two-time lineal champ. That's what matters. everything else is garbage...ESPECIALLY his fourth which came for a belt peeled off a Lewis who JUST beat him.

From the 60s to now...the WBA...joke.