When did the WBO become a respected belt?

[JDD1]

Some big names have held the WBO title over the last...what is it now, 20 years? Guys like Eubank, Benn, Calzaghe, Wlad, Rigo, Narvaez, Pac, Bradley....it's the names that hold your belt that legitimise, bit like Holmes in the 80s dropping his WBC/WBA titles for the IBF.

True but I much preferred when it was just 2 sanctioning bodies.

[Larry the boss]

Do ya'll think the IBO will be next to be a legitimate world title?

[soul_survivor]

True but I much preferred when it was just 2 sanctioning bodies.

Yeah of course, the less belts the better but I think we romanticise the past a bit too much. Very interesting article on the history of boxing championships:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/slip-the-jab/2014/mar/19/boxing-too-many-belts-champions

[jas]

Do ya'll think the IBO will be next to be a legitimate world title?

Never.

Many people say 2007 was too late for the WBO to be recognised. Shows how difficult it is.

I think it will be always 4 for a long ass time. The current major sanctioning bodies will see to that.

[JDD1]

Do ya'll think the IBO will be next to be a legitimate world title?

**** no. IBA, wbo, IBC, all BS

Yeah of course, the less belts the better but I think we romanticise the past a bit too much. Very interesting article on the history of boxing championships:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/sli...elts-champions

One of the main reasons guys can avoid best opposition, too many options to be called a "world champ". Sanctioning bodies backed by promoters is BS.

I think its absurd right now that manny, porter and maidana are considered "world champs". Or the guys at HWT, MW, and SMW not named wlad, sergio or andre ward.

[hectari]

Everyone used to hold the WBC so highly, but I hold the WBO higher they are the least corrupt of the sanctioning bodies.

[LacedUp]

The champion makes the belt, not the other way around.

That being said, does anybody really care about the WBO?

[daggum]

so calzaghe wasn't even a champ until he fought lacy. bum. ottke was the real deal with 21 title defenses. calzaghe had a pathetic 3. his career keeps getting worse and worse the more you look at it.

[jas]

If you noticed, the IBF has strong ties to European promoters.

[JDD1]

The champion makes the belt, not the other way around.

That being said, does anybody really care about the WBO?

The problem is guys get "title" fights in a completely BS way. Guys who are not highly ranked by wba/wbc can circumvent that and get their promoter to get them a cheap title fight. Then they get 20 defenses against bogus contenders.

Look at Russel v Lomanchenko. There is no way this should be a fight for a world title. Utterly shameful and pathetic.