Canelo is still Lineal/Ring champ at middleweight

[Pigeons]

Don't be ******ed. His lineal title means **** all if he's not willing to face the best people in his division. It's a paper title.

The vast majority of the time, the lineal title reigns supreme. Sure you have a Zsolt Erdei reign here and there, but in general, it is the holy grail of each weight class.

For example, Terence Crawford is going for his 2nd lineal title in as many weight classes vs. Postol.

[El-blanco]

The vast majority of the time, the lineal title reigns supreme. Sure you have a Zsolt Erdei reign here and there, but in general, it is the holy grail of each weight class.

For example, Terence Crawford is going for his 2nd lineal title in as many weight classes vs. Postol.

Yes, the vast majority of the time it is but it isn't in this case. In fact I don't think he should even be recognized as the lineal anymore because he refused to fight the number one guy. What is it worth if it's not properly defended?

[Chrismart]

Lineal can often, not always, be an empty trinket.

Like Compu box, Lineal status is a tool often used/discredited on NBS depending on the agenda the poster is reaching for.

Canelo is lineal after beating Cotto. Cotto defended his lineal twice..never at 160. Canelo defended the lineal against a WW.
The last 2 160 lineal champs have never fought at 160, or allowed their opponent to do so.

Lineal has to be taken at face value. It differs from division to division.
Golovkin could face and beat Jacobs and BJS next, while Canelo, say, ducks Golovkin and faces/beats two blown up WW.
In that instance Canelo will still be lineal, as he's the 'man who beat the man'. But it would be GGG who is clearly the main guy in the division.

Lineal just is what it is.
It a great title to hold if you are taking on all comers. But doesn't mean as much if you're ducking your mandatory. It becomes watered down in that case.

It's the opponent that makes the accomplishment, not the title at stake.

[HeroBando]

It's funny that when people parade Manny as an eight division world champion, his two lineal titles at featherweight and super lightweight are valid. But Canelo's lineal title...it's ****.

Well yeah, he beat guys who were no question #1 in the division, way better than beating "do I look like a Mw" Cotto at 155

[HeroBando]

Wins go on records...and a failed negotiation has never went on any fighters record as a win.

Dunno, Bowe pretty much went into history books as a win for Lewis. Still meme worthy 25yrs later

[sicko]

Oscar Owns Ring, of course he is! Ring Belts means absolutely NOTHING! Looks nice though but fighters never even mention Ring Belts lol

[kiaba360]

He's still the lineal champion, but he's ruining its prestige by fighting at catchweights against non-MWs. If Canelo leaves, the winner of GGG/Jacobs/Saunders will be the beginning of a new lineage.

[therealpugilist]

GBP's Ring magazine belt? lol
Saul is the magazine champ...wow

yea that belt has been hitting the ****ter the last decade plus. When nigel collins(correct me if im wrong on his name) left the ring, most of the cred left with him. How can a boxing promoter own the most prestigious magazine with so much history? I was done with ring magazine when they stripped Rigondeaux. That guy was ducked more than people say GGG is.

You cant make people fight you....he lost his belts and GGG keeps getting them handed to him. Oh well. Hopefully we get to see GGG fight someone with a pulse soon and not someone I'd have to google

[CaneloMaidana]

His only leverage is who he is. Those titles mean as much as Stevensons at 175. You better believe if it was anyone but this guy he would be stripped of that 160 ring title by the end of the week.

Let Canelo play at his made up weight class and GGG can go after Jacobs and Suanders now. Let's see what excuses they have to avoid him.

Same ones he had to avoid Ward.

[techliam]

The vast majority of the time, the lineal title reigns supreme. Sure you have a Zsolt Erdei reign here and there, but in general, it is the holy grail of each weight class.

For example, Terence Crawford is going for his 2nd lineal title in as many weight classes vs. Postol.

What a load of ****

Boxing is about being the best, being no.1. Lineal titles have never set out to crown that achievement. They were an early attempt to divert from ABC titles, but have since been exposed time and time again.

Its on you to justify your approach - i.e holding the lineal title to different standards. A title has to be legitimised by the fighter holding it, whether its an ABC title, the GBP title (ring magazine) or a lineal title in its many forms.

So let me ask, why do you see being the consensus best, the no.1, as a lesser achievement than becoming a 'lineal' champion (your holy grail)? I'd like to see your justifications