We are now on our way to having three undefeated Heavyweight Champions. The scribes will call this a good thing and evidence that Heavyweight Boxing is back. When in reality....
You mean three undefeated Heavyweight "champions". There is only one lineal champ, and that is the only "Champion" in the division. The others are just belt holders.
You mean three undefeated Heavyweight "champions". There is only one lineal champ, and that is the only "Champion" in the division. The others are just belt holders.
Lineal champions don't matter either everyone knows Fury is the champion. Stevenson is the lineal champion at 175, but everyone knows Kovalev is the real champion.
Lineal champions don't matter either everyone knows Fury is the champion. Stevenson is the lineal champion at 175, but everyone knows Kovalev is the real champion.
So if the champion isn't decided by belts, or the lineal, how do we decide the champ? Just consensus of the fans?
So if the champion isn't decided by belts, or the lineal, how do we decide the champ? Just consensus of the fans?
That tends to be the way it is now anyway, If there are 4 belts and 4 champions the fans tend to decide over the long run who is the 'champion.'
Do you sincerely think Stevenson is the real champ at 175? He fought a recently KO'd Dawson, Cloud who has literally just lost to B-Hop, Bellew who lost to Cleverly and a Bika who moved up in weight and a bunch of no names vs. Kovalevs recent resume?
I think Canelo is the lineal champ at 160, despite never fighting at 160, GGG is the man to beat at 160 (even if his resume is lacking, it still the best at 160.)
That tends to be the way it is now anyway, If there are 4 belts and 4 champions the fans tend to decide over the long run who is the 'champion.'
Do you sincerely think Stevenson is the real champ at 175? He fought a recently KO'd Dawson, Cloud who has literally just lost to B-Hop, Bellew who lost to Cleverly and a Bika who moved up in weight and a bunch of no names vs. Kovalevs recent resume?
I think Canelo is the lineal champ at 160, despite never fighting at 160, GGG is the man to beat at 160 (even if his resume is lacking, it still the best at 160.)
I hear what you're saying, but with that train of thought there's no conclusive champ. Fans are never going to agree on a champ, some will claim that the lineal is the champ, others will claim alphabet title holders are the champ, and others will claim that the "man to beat" (al la ggg) is the the champ.
Stevenson is definitely the lineal champ, regardless of the condition of Dawson when they fought. Kovalev is widely recognized as the best LHW in the world, but not the champ. There is a difference between the best fighter in a division and the Champion. The champion is still the champion until he is beaten or retires, but that doesn't always make him the best in his division.
The issue at hand is that Fury is obligated to fight Klitschko in his mandatory rematch, but from the looks of it, the IBF wants to go right around the former champ, which could result in lawsuits being filed and Fury being stripped of the other four titles to fight Glazkov. The IBF seems to be trying to split up the titles, undoing the work that Klitschko did in unifying them. Very sketchy to say the least.
The issue at hand is that Fury is obligated to fight Klitschko in his mandatory rematch, but from the looks of it, the IBF wants to go right around the former champ, which could result in lawsuits being filed and Fury being stripped of the other four titles to fight Glazkov. The IBF seems to be trying to split up the titles, undoing the work that Klitschko did in unifying them. Very sketchy to say the least.
Nothing sketchy about it at all. The IBF is VERY clear when it comes to their rules. Fury knew there would be a mando due. Fury also knew the IBF does not recognize rematch clauses. Fury was the WBO mando anyways, so he didnt even have to accept the rematch clause. But Wlad offered him extra money, and he took it. So its no surprise to him. Fury might could have worked out a step-aside deal with Glasgov, but he elected not to.
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