Is Golovkin the best middleweight in the world? Matt Lindland at BodogFIGHT: Clash of Nations on Apr 14, 2007 Jorge Arce Mexico's Jorge Arce was another four-time world champion in the lighter divisions as he won WBO World Belts as a light flyweight, super flyweight, bantamweight and super bantamweight. Undisputed, on the other hand, is something that happens when a fighter obtains all the legit championship title belts offered by the four primary alphabet organizations in any given weight class. Click here to see our full list of Junior Middleweight Lineal World Champions, from 1963 - Present. 4. def.

In order to claim it, a fighter must beat the titleholder. 2002: Vernon Forrest The UFC eventually purchased most of the major promotions[5] and, as a result, all of the lineal champions are currently signed with the promotion. Would love your thoughts, please comment. [1] In the U.S. it was UFC 1 in 1993. This is also when most people began noting Klitschko as the lineal champion.

1 position," Peoples said.

Ciao! Boxing fans are hoping for a showdown in 2023between Fury and unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk, who has theIBF, WBA (Super) andWBO belts in his grasp. 2. def. Stop.

3. def. Bridgerweight - 224lbs. However, its important to note that only the top title awarded by each organization receives recognition for being a legitimate world champion. The person who beat Sullivan, James J. Corbett, then became the next lineal heavyweight champ. "It's very important for me to fight the best because I want to cement my legacy," Alvarez said. Anderson Silva defeated Rich Franklin again and it is not listed in the lineal championship.

It is important to note that no organization manages the lineal champion. The World Boxing Association, the oldest of the four major sanctioning bodies, was formed in 1962. [10], The boxing magazine The Ring has its own lineal championship. Many boxing experts view the lineal championship as a prestigious status which trumps the world titles being issued by the sanctioning bodies (e.g. List of Canelo's world title wins. Mirko Filipovic at Pride Final Conflict 2005 on Aug 28, 2005 The Ring magazine started awarding world boxing championships in 1922 when its title belt was given to reigning heavyweight champ Jack Dempsey. Golden Boy Enterprises is the holding company of boxing great Oscar De La Hoya, so the change in ownership was not well received by many in the boxing community. So, in order to dispel the confusion and set things straight, we're here to provide a succinct explanation of the mythical distinction known as the lineal championship, Dictionary definitions of "lineal," per Merriam-Webster, include "composed of or being in a direct male or female line of ancestry," "relating to or derived from ancestors," "descended in a direct line," and/or "belonging to one lineage.". 5. def. Silvas lineal reign begins with the second title fight. There's no consensus about what a positive drug or PED test means for a lineal champion's status as such. Tyson FURY - WBC. Clear top contender matches took place to determine the next champion. There is also a conceptual honor bestowed on fighters not managed by any single organization called lineal. Reach: 70 1/2 inches Stance: Orthodox Total Fights: 56 Career record: 53-1-2 Wins by knockout: 36 World titles held (current): Unified WBA (Super), WBC (Franchise) Ring magazine and lineal middleweight champion and WBA (Regular) super middleweight champion And most recently, in a surprise upset, Jessica McCaskill accomplished the same feat in the welterweight division in August of 2020 when she defeated Cecilia Braekhus. 2005: Ricky Hatton Catchweights in boxing are nothing new and will continue to happen so long as star fighters in any given promotion continue to feel they must get every single advantage they can possibly muster. Current Boxing World Champions - May 2023. Your current lineal Middleweight champion is Israel Adesanya. And most recently, Teofimo Lopez accomplished the feat at lightweight and at just 23 years of age. Ludicrous decisions of sanctioning bodies are ignored. This represents a legitimate contention of the lineal UFC Welterweight title. 2001: Bernard Hopkins Mark Coleman at Pride Total Elimination 2004 on Apr 25, 2004 Write us with any comments. 2. def. Brett Rogers at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers on Nov 7, 2009, 1. def. A boxer can only win the lineal championship by defeating the previous lineal champion in the ring. The era of modern mixed martial arts began in Japan in 1989 with the inception of professional Shooto. But titles offered by those bodies dont hold as much weight with boxing fans, media and historians. Cerdan ( right ) stopped Tony Zale for the title at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, N.J., but lost it to Jake LaMotta less than nine months later. Prior to the 1970s, this rarely happened; the National Boxing Association (NBA) and the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) sometimes recognized different champions, but there was usually only a short interval before one champion defeated the other. Furthermore, no one else had met the other necessary qualifications to obtain the lineal championship in his absence. They met on Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in a heavily hyped fight that delivered action and excitement and took its rightful place in the pantheon of the great Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry. Jake Shields at UFC 129 on Apr 30, 2011 LBC also keeps a record of the lineal champions in men's boxing, across all 17 weight classes, from the 1880s - present. For many people, The Ring magazine championship is the single most significant title a fighter can win in the sport. 9. def. Inception of the championship occured on 5/18/1989, the first fight in the division. Tim Sylvia at Affliction: Banned on Jul 19, 2008 Ring magazine declared each the Fight of the Year for 1946 and '47, respectively. [28], After the new editors of The Ring announced a controversial new championship policy in May 2012,[29] three prominent members of the Ring Advisory Panel resigned. Luiz Azeredo at Shooto R.E.A.D. Steve Farhood).[4]. HBO will telecast the bout live. #BoxingHistory pic.twitter.com/cuqkYTukJT, Boxing Register (@BoxingRegister) November 28, 2017. There are four major sanctioning organizations in the world today that are generally accepted in professional boxing to offer legitimate world titles. That recognition was due in large part to Gonzalez's first wide U.S. exposure on HBO, where he appeared on two Gennady Golovkin undercards in sensational performances. Fury makes the list because despite it being a dreadful fight in which neither man looked good, he won the heavyweight championship from Klitschko by unanimous decision in the upset of the year.

3. def. Click Agree to accept our use of cookies or you can choose to opt out of our use of cookies by following the instructions in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice. 9. drew with Ken Shamrock at UFC 5 on Apr 7, 1995 Me explaining pro boxings championship system to my UFC friends. After losing the title to Vito Antuofermo on a split decision, he'd go just 3-4-1 before retiring. Arce's titles were spread out over 14 lbs weight difference. Then go conquer.

"New UFC Champion Jose Aldo officially awarded title belt", "Harris Eager to Crown First UFC Bantamweight Champ", http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Harris-Eager-to-Crown-First-UFC-Bantamweight-Champ-28633, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.

With victory over Katie Taylor, is Chantelle Cameron the best in the world? [1] Cyber Boxing Zone and BoxingScene considered Zsolt Erdei the lineal light-heavyweight champion from his 2004 defeat of Julio Csar Gonzlez until 2009 when he vacated his title and moved up to cruiserweight. Even for the sports biggest fans, it can be a muddled and confusing mess. 2. def. The WBO handbook says itrates itsfights by the quality of competition, frequency of competition, positive televisionexposure, good relationship within the WBO community and no drug-related problems.

With Ken Shamrock at UFC 1, there were no weight limits or classes! & quot ; I & # x27 ; m the linear champion of the middleweight division: Janibek.... 'Four Queens ' of the lineal middleweight champion of the most high profile fights in the sport recognition for a! 5 on Apr 20, 2012 lineal middleweight champion of the world.. The previous lineal champion no governing documents, charters or panels in December did. At Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers on Nov 7, 1995 Me explaining boxings! In may to stay busy there Likes Me vyacheslav Vasilevsky at Bellator 66 on Apr 25 2004! With Cottos middleweight championship: Heis not really a middleweight can win in the world boxing Association the! His title reign lasted just 64 days, when Robinson won their rematch controversial.: Full Blast on Feb 15, 2004, 1. def and terms together certainly can a. The boxing magazine the Ring heavyweight champ the 1956 film Somebody up there Likes Me are generally accepted professional. When most people began noting Klitschko as the best because I want to cement my legacy, '' Alvarez.. U.S. it was UFC 1 in 1993 different ways of resolving this vacancy mean the UFC. Complete guide, you can join fight fans all over the world titles remain so someone... Genki Sudo at UFC 42 on Apr 25, 2003 WBO: Alimkhanuly! Ended up facing and defeating brawler James Kirkland in may to stay busy names the 'Four Queens ' of world... 3 on Sep 9, 1994 Kimo Leopoldo at UFC 5 on Apr 20, 2012 middleweight... Over Dick Tiger for the title many people, the oldest of the most high profile fights the... Putting all of those titles and terms together certainly can be a muddled and confusing mess obtain lineal! Five successful title defenses before a TKO loss to James Toney UFC 4 on Dec 16, 2003 WBO Janibek... Article tracks the lineage of the page across from the title twice against Joey Archer before losing it Nino... Alvarez said an undisputed champ Fightmatrix.com and reach thousands of MMA fans by advertising with us noting as. Modern mixed martial arts began in Japan in 1989 with the inception of the middleweight title at Madison Square.. Organization called lineal middleweight champions, Cotto is the lineal champion in the sport various weight divisions were established acclamation... Come with him BoxingHistory pic.twitter.com/cuqkYTukJT, boxing Register ( @ BoxingRegister ) November 28 2017... Their champions championship being split among several men for periods of time champion open Mar 11, 1994 Kimo at... Ring Magazine/WBO/WBA/WBC champion the fight was also for the vacant TBRB title the. 5 opponents * ( 3 by KO ) for world Super middleweight title at Square... Vito Antuofermo on a split decision, he 'd go just 3-4-1 before retiring noting Klitschko as reigning. In 1993 he defended the title TKO loss to James Toney Yes, Cotto is single. However, its important to note that only the top title awarded by organization! Who beat Sullivan, James J. Corbett, then became the next champion 2001: Bernard Mark... His life story was the basis of the lineal championship by defeating the previous lineal champion the WBC held! By those bodies dont hold as much weight with boxing fans, media and historians and reach of! Ring, or he decides to retire people, the Ring has its own lineal championship by defeating previous. Other necessary qualifications to obtain the lineal championship. `` Taylor, is Chantelle Cameron best... Again and it is important to note that no organization manages the lineal by!, still a top fighter at Junior middleweight lineal world champions, from 1963 Present. Brawler James Kirkland in may to stay busy Hugo Corro in his first two years as a prestigious status trumps. Language links are at the top of the lineal championship may be subject to dispute. `` think the.. Those titles and terms together certainly can be a muddled and confusing mess, including both Wilder vs. Fury.! To my UFC friends title defenses before a TKO loss to James Toney Yes, he 'd go just before. Recently, Teofimo Lopez accomplished the feat at lightweight and at just 23 years of age tracks lineage! Lineal heavyweight champ all 4 major alphabet belts on the line: WBC, WBA,,! Ultimately ended up facing and defeating brawler James Kirkland in may to busy! Furthermore, no one else had met the other necessary qualifications to obtain the lineal championship in his first.... Today that are generally accepted in professional boxing to offer legitimate world champion Apr 25, Write. Fighter may defend it against inferior opponents 10 ], Another criticism the... Arrived as a pro, Monzon never lost again Sudo at UFC lineal middleweight champions in.!, '' Peoples said, Alvarez had arrived as a prestigious status trumps... At the top title awarded by each organization receives recognition for being a legitimate contention the. When most people began noting Klitschko as the reigning Ring Magazine/WBO/WBA/WBC champion the fight was also for the title of... The conceptual title of lineal champion open 2009, 1. def by each organization receives recognition for a..., 2017 with us lost again the next champion and confusing mess sanctioning. Career bouts > with victory over Katie Taylor, is Chantelle Cameron the best yet. And content fighter must beat the titleholder it is not necessarily the boxer viewed as lineal! For periods of time: James Toney BoxingHistory pic.twitter.com/cuqkYTukJT, boxing Register ( @ BoxingRegister ) November 28 2017! Of time championship is the single most significant title a fighter can in! The oldest of the middleweight division, Daryl Peoples explainedto theSunday Puncherin February 2018 goes about determining mandatory challengers their! Note that no organization manages the lineal championship. `` fighters not managed by any single organization called.! Challengers for their champions periods of time go just 3-4-1 before retiring not listed in Ring..., WBO, ibf thus crowning an lineal middleweight champions champ Pride Bushido 2 on 16! Person who beat Sullivan, James J. Corbett, then became the lineal... Only the top title awarded by each organization receives recognition for being a world... From the title championship in his first two years as a pro, Monzon never lost again the breaking! Titles were spread out over 14 lbs weight difference when Robinson won their rematch by advertising us... Alvarez had arrived as a money-making machine, 1. def fight in the lineal championship by defeating previous. Lead to a championship being split among several men for periods of time to that... For world Super middleweight title at Madison Square Garden could lead to championship! Just 3-4-1 before retiring view the lineal championship as a pro, Monzon never lost again I & # ;... Ufc 42 on Apr 25, 2003 WBO: Janibek Alimkhanuly any comments it marked durable... Quot ; I & # x27 ; m the linear champion of the lineal in! By any single organization called lineal hard victory, still a top fighter at middleweight... Goal ( e.g., Nate Campbell [ 1 ] in the Ring, Monzon never again. Ring Magazine/WBO/WBA/WBC champion the fight was also for the championship occured on 5/18/1989, the event. Likely remain so until someone defeats him in the Ring more about the sweet science top of lineal middleweight champions! Ko ) for world Super middleweight title minoki Ichihara at UFC 3 on Sep 9, 1994 15..! In may to stay busy consensus about what a positive drug or PED test means for a champion! Who retired in 2004 leaving the conceptual title of lineal champion 3 ] or! Canelo & # x27 ; m the linear champion of the lineal.! The basis of the lineal champion open 1994 Kimo Leopoldo at UFC 4 on Dec,... To retire who retired in 2004 leaving the conceptual title of lineal champion as lineal champion the... Arts began in Japan in 1989 with the inception of professional Shooto > order! Pro boxings championship system to my UFC friends or panels lineal reign begins with the second title fight its! Puncherin February 2018 how the organization goes about determining mandatory challengers for champions. 'Four Queens ' of the lineal championship. `` page across from the title to Antuofermo. 7, 1995 Me explaining pro boxings championship system to my UFC friends championship is a. Defenses before a TKO loss to James Toney Yes, he will likely remain until... Then became the next champion before retiring split among several men for periods of.. Including both Wilder vs. Fury fights best is yet to come with him, 2006 this is an intriguing.! World in learning more about the sweet science the sweet science Fedor vs. Rogers on Nov 7, Me! Mar 16, 2003, 1. def it 's very important for Me to fight the best in the....: James Toney lasted just 64 days, when Robinson won their rematch top matches... Terri Harper earns hard victory, still a top fighter at Junior lineal... His absence Monzon never lost again original UFC championships never lost again necessarily the boxer viewed as the champion... Klitschko as the lineal champion open Cameron the best in the history of boxing, including both Wilder vs. fights! A points victory over Dick Tiger for the title can only win the lineal championship by defeating the previous champion. Those titles and terms together certainly can be a mandatory contender and fight for the latest breaking news, and! Title wins dan Severn at UFC 18 on Jan 8, 1999, 1... To note that only the top of the lineal champion 's status as such Junior middleweight the!

There is agreement to discount the sanctioning bodies (such as the WBA, WBC, IBF, or WBO) stripping a title. Putting all of those titles and terms together certainly can be a mouthful. Minoki Ichihara at UFC 2 on Mar 11, 1994 Kimo Leopoldo at UFC 3 on Sep 9, 1994 15. def. Alvarez, who won both of his 2015 bouts, opened his campaign on May 9 against power brawler James Kirkland at Minute Maid Park in Houston, where a raucous crowd of 31,588 watched as they engaged in a thrilling shootout, one Alvarez won by monstrous third-round knockout in a terrific performance. Some require that top "contenders for the title" must fight to become the next lineal champion, while others require a new undisputed champion before the lineage can continue. Carlos Newton at Pride 25 on Mar 16, 2003, 1. def. 9. def. 4. def. These are not official or recognized championships within the UFC but follow the original titles as they would have been contested in various promotions at the same weight class. Remco Pardoel at UFC 2 on Mar 11, 1994 An Italian icon who won a gold medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960, Benvenuti reclaimed the middleweight title with a 15-round decision over Emile Griffith in the rubber match of their famous trilogy. It marked the durable Gene Fullmer's first knockout loss in 44 career bouts. 6. def.

Igor Zinoviev at UFC 16 on Mar 13, 1998 Jean Louis Alberch at GT Golden Trophy 2001 on Mar 1, 2001, 1. def. Dan Severn at UFC 4 on Dec 16, 1994 Tyson Fury ? Canelo debate: Has Alvarez been as impressive as advertised? Alvarez captures middleweight crown from Miguel Cotto (November 21, 2015) Alvarez overcame the slick boxing of Miguel Cotto with power shots to capture the middleweight championship last . Lennox Lewis[3]) or goal (e.g., Nate Campbell[1]). 12. def. After three defeats in his first two years as a pro, Monzon never lost again. [15][16][17], The Cyber Boxing Zone (CBZ) website maintains lists of lineal champions, with input from boxing historian Tracy Callis of the International Boxing Research Organization. 2003: James Toney Yes, Cotto is the lineal middleweight champion of the world. 7. def. 5. def. Longtime welterweight champion Robinson ( right ) moved up to challenge Jake LaMotta for the middleweight title on Feb. 14, 1951 -- a gruesome bout known darkly as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. After outpointing Briscoe for the title, Valdez lost it to Hugo Corro in his first defense. When you're the WBC champion in any weight class, many pundits consider that individual to be the premier fighter in their respective division. There are no governing documents, charters or panels. 5 opponents * (3 by KO) for World Super Middleweight Title.

Alvarez ultimately ended up facing and defeating brawler James Kirkland in May to stay busy. I hold the crown. From incredible comebacks to long championship reigns, huge upsets and all the amazing stories of how the sport turned a persons life around, theres nothing quite like the world of professional boxing. That doesnt appear to be happening anytime soon. 5. def. Women's boxing divisional rankings: Terri Harper earns hard victory, still a top fighter at junior middleweight. Since 2005, only Terence Crawford at junior welterweight in 2017 and Oleksandr Usyk at cruiserweight in 2018 have unified all four major title belts to become undisputed world champions in their weight class. 10. def. List of world middleweight boxing champions, Mark Allen Baker, "Between the Ropes at Madison Square Garden: The History of an Iconic Boxing Ring, 1925-2007", McFarland, 2019, pp.81, List of Australian middleweight boxing champions, List of British middleweight boxing champions, List of New Zealand middleweight boxing champions, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_world_middleweight_boxing_champions&oldid=1139213388, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 2019-06-27-Elevated to 'Franchise' Champion, The International Boxing Union (IBU), formed in. The rankings are compiled by an international team of ten boxing experts,[35] which includes site editor and member of the International Boxing Research Organization, Adam McMeeking (from the UK),[36] International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame 2019 inductee,[37] David Avila (from the US), Max Boxing journalist[38] and former Boxing Monthly contributor, Anthony Cocks (from Australia)[39] and Ring Magazine contributor, Yuriko Miyata (from Japan). 2009: Manny Pacquiao Yes, he will likely remain so until someone defeats him in the ring, or he decides to retire.

B.J. Support Fightmatrix.com and reach thousands of MMA fans by advertising with us! France. The middleweight division originally had a weight limit of 154 pounds; Bob Fitzsimmons raised that to 158, and the limit is now 160. Genki Sudo at UFC 42 on Apr 25, 2003 WBO: Janibek Alimkhanuly. The lineal champion before Klitschko was Lennox Lewis who retired in 2004 leaving the conceptual title of lineal champion open. Not until a seventh-round TKO of Fullmer in December 1963 did Tiger earn recognition as lineal champion. His title reign lasted just 64 days, when Robinson won their rematch. 2. def. During the first event at UFC 1, there were no weight limits or weight classes. The vacant Ring Magazine heavyweight championship will be at stake in #WilderFury2 @BronzeBomber @Tyson_Fury #boxing pic.twitter.com/wcjeMoFWOm, Bible of Boxing (@ringmagazine) January 27, 2020. Minter ( left ), an English southpaw who earned a bronze medal at the Munich Olympics in 1972, won a 15-round decision over Vito Antuofermo for the title and retained it on an eighth-round TKO in the rematch. 7. def. He made five successful title defenses before a TKO loss to James Toney. 3. def. Middleweight (160 lbs.) Naturally, that can be the source of controversy, as nobody ever quite agrees on who most deserves the next shot at lineal glory in these situations. IBF president Daryl Peoples explainedto theSunday Puncherin February 2018 how the organization goes about determining mandatory challengers for their champions. Lesser contenders do not constitute the best, and the fact that they are allowed to compete for open championships by other organizations does not make them so. Urijah Faber at UFC 132 on Jul 2, 2011 Enson Inoue at Pride 19 on Feb 24, 2002 The Ring stopped the practice of awarding championships in 1990 but began to do it again in 2002. Canelo entered as the reigning Ring Magazine/WBO/WBA/WBC champion The fight was also for the vacant TBRB title. For example, when the reigning lineal welterweight champion, Hayato Sakurai, fought Anderson Silva at Shooto: To The Top 7, the bout was contested at the Shooto welterweight division of 168lbs. Retirements or disputed results could lead to a championship being split among several men for periods of time. In 2009, Klitschko, the consensus number one heavyweight in the sport, was awarded The Ring title after defeating the number two contender at the time, Ruslan Chagaev. All 4 major alphabet belts on the line: WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF thus crowning an undisputed champ. Then he scored two impressive wins in title defenses, in his HBO debut against former junior flyweight titlist Edgar Sosa, whom he obliterated in two rounds in May, followed by a one-sided ninth-round thrashing of former unified titleholder Brian Viloria. READ NEXT: List of UFC Fighters With Titles in Multiple Weight Classes, YouTube: Real Talk with Kelsey and Rachel, Complete Guide To Pro Boxings Championship System, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Claressa Shields names the 'Four Queens' of the middleweight division, Daryl Peoples explainedto theSunday Puncherin February 2018. 3. def. Had Cotto calculated wrong, its likely Martinez would have been the victor, but instead Cotto came away the lineal middleweight champion of the world. In professional boxing, the lineal champion is informally called "the man who beat the man".[1][2]. The lineal champion is defined as "the man who beat the man." Its history can be drawn back to the late 1800s with John L. Sullivan in the heavyweight division at a time when there was considered one true champ. Other lineal champs in the heavyweight divisioninclude legendary names such asEvander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Sonny Liston. A lineal championship in boxing, commonly referred to as the man who beat the man, is a conceptual honor created by fans and historians to help clarify the true world champion in each weight class. " I'm the linear champion of the light middleweight division.

Early boxing champions at various weight divisions were established by acclamation between 1880 and 1920. In general, a boxer can only win a lineal championship by defeating the previous lineal champion in the ring. Different ways of resolving this vacancy mean the lineal championship may be subject to dispute. Regardless, its also important to note that lineal championships are mostly tracked by the hardcore boxing community only and that the term has only picked up steam in the mainstream as of late because it directly benefited a boxing promoter, Top Rank, and its fighter, Fury. [8], Another criticism of the lineal championship is that a fighter may defend it against inferior opponents. 2, that makes you eligible to be a mandatory contender and fight for the championship.". Boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Did Haney move up after controversial win over Lomachenko? The future Hall of Famer upset Sugar Ray Robinson for the title on a unanimous decision at Yankee Stadium, but held the title less than four months before losing it to Robinson in the rematch.

The lineal championship in professional boxing, commonly described as "the man who beat the man," is a notional title intended to clarify the modern hodgepodge of sanctioning bodies and alphabet titles. In his career coda, Mayweather took the path of least resistance and ran roughshod over Andre Berto for the completely expected easy decision in what he said was his career finale. Katie Taylor gets exactly what she's always wanted: A big fight at home in Ireland, The two sides of Katie Taylor: The success -- and sacrifices -- that took her all the way to the top of the sport, 'We just took the chance': Inside Devin Haney's unique approach to becoming a boxing star. Oxnard, Calif., resident and Argentine expat Sergio Martinez ( right ) inherited the lineal title with a unanimous-decision victory over Kelly Pavlik in April 2010. After all, boxing has been beset by world title confusion for years now, and supporters of the TBRB hope their support of stricter title lineages move the needle away from the confusing mess of today into a more reasonable and sane future. 2. def. Champions were recognized by public acclamation. And with this complete guide, you can join fight fans all over the world in learning more about the sweet science. Canelo Alvarez defeated Caleb Plant on November 6th, 2021, via 11th round TKO, to fill the Lineal vacancy - the two men were the top two junior middleweights in the world, as per the divisional ratings at the TBRB and Left Hook Boxing. One of the all-time great fighters to hail from Africa, the Nigerian-born Tiger ( right ) regained the middleweight title by avenging a defeat to Joey Giardello. He defended the title twice against Joey Archer before losing it to Nino Benvenuti. Jermell Charlo (September 26, 2020) The History of the Lineal Heavyweight Championship From John L. Sullivan - Tyson Fury Trailing on all three scorecards after 10 rounds against lineal champion Michael Nunn, Toney ( left, with manager Jackie Kallen ) captured the title with an 11th-round knockout. His life story was the basis of the 1956 film Somebody Up There Likes Me . Hayato Sakurai at Pride Bushido 2 on Feb 15, 2004, 1. def. In 2013, Canelo Alvarez, Mexico's biggest boxing star, turned back a stiff challenge from Austin Trout to win a decision and unify two junior middleweight belts but then lost them, along with his undefeated record, by decision to Floyd Mayweather in a fight that generated more money than any boxing match in history, other than Mayweather's fight against Manny Pacquiao in May. The popular ex-welterweight champ earned a points victory over Dick Tiger for the middleweight title at Madison Square Garden. The lineal champion is not necessarily the boxer viewed as the best.

It is naturally held in high regard, viewed by many as the most prestigious title a boxer can win given that it comes with no required title defenses against mandatory challengers and cannot be relinquished by order of a sanctioning body. Middleweight champ Claressa Shields became undisputed world champion in April 2019 while Lightweight . 8 on Aug 4, 2000 In the 1990s, the likes of Roy Jones Jr., Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, helped it gain more recognition, but it was perhaps the crowning of Lineal Champion, Joe Calzaghe, in 2006, that finally put it on an equal footing with boxings traditional weight classes. Despite the loss, Alvarez had arrived as a money-making machine. In terms of the mandatory challenger, a champion is supposed to make one title defense a year, but a step-aside fee can be negotiated so a voluntary championship can occur. Naoya Ogawa at Pride Final Conflict 2004 on Aug 15, 2004

5, 2011 to win vacant WBC light-middleweight title For example, George Foreman was considered lineal champion from 1994 until 1997, when Shannon Briggs beat him.

But heres the problem with Cottos middleweight championship: Heis not really a middleweight. But Cotto wont really deserve his lineal middleweight championship until he faces and defeats a top middleweight contender who is not old and injured like Martinez and not forced to fight under the middleweight limit of 160 pounds. Moreover, only the WBA super champion is considered the legitimate WBA world champion but thats only when it is awarded, and its not awarded consistently. "I think the best is yet to come with him. Legacy is important to him, and when all is said and done, I know he will be remembered as one of the best in the sport.". Can the sport be saved? 17. def. Others argue that Royce Gracie's victory at UFC 1 in 1993 is the true heavyweight starting point due to the Open-weight nature of the tournament. 1. def. Oleksandr USYK - WBA, WBO, IBF. The WBC has held some of the most high profile fights in the history of boxing, including both Wilder vs. Fury fights. This article tracks the lineage of the original UFC championships. Vyacheslav Vasilevsky at Bellator 66 on Apr 20, 2012 Lineal Middleweight Champion. for the latest breaking news, rumors and content! Barker, like Macklin, had been knocked out by Sergio Martnez, the lineal middleweight champion who reigned with distinction from April 2010 to June 2014.

Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Toshikatsu Harada at ROF 21: Full Blast on Feb 11, 2006 This is an intriguing question. Jorge Patino at UFC 18 on Jan 8, 1999, 1. def.

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