Which of The Ring Champions do YOU recognise as the true lineal champions.

Here is my thoughts:


Wladimir Klitschko- no not unless he beats Vitali Klitschko

Yoan Pablo Hernandez- Controversially yes. I do. There was a big uproar about this when Hernandez won by beating Cunningham as Huck was removed from the ratings because he moved to Heavyweight for one fight (vs Povetkin)- the controversial nature of this championship crowning prompted them to change their championship policy.

Before Cunningham-Hernandez 1, Cunningham was ranked #1 and Huck #2. After Hernandez beat Cunningham they moved Huck to number 1, Hernandez went second and Cunningham dropped to 3.

However, I believe Hernandez should've been 1, Cunningham 2 and Huck 3 for the following reasons:

1. Cunningham had already stopped Huck
2. While that fight was a few years earlier the controversy of Hernandez win over Cunningham, I don't believe he deserved to be dropped below Huck
3. Huck was no stranger to dodgy wins himself at the time

Therefore I think Hernandez-Cunningham 2 was between the rightful number 1 and 2 at Cruiserweight and Hernandez won.


Adonis Stevenson- yes. Hopkins and Dawson was number 1 and 2 in the division back in early 2010- however Hopkins dropped to about 4 or 5 because he performed poorly against Jones Jr, though still won convincingly. I don't think that was just, and it left Dawson and Pascal to fight for the vacant title- with Pascal winning though, I would've had him and Hopkins as number 1 and 2 and when they fought, with B-Hop becoming champion in the 2nd fight. Hopkinsdropped it to Dawson, who's dropped in to Stevenson.


Andre Ward- yes. Following Calzaghe's retirement, I believe the Super Six quite rightly left Ward and Froch as number 1 and 2 to battle for the vacant belt.

Sergio Martinez- yes. Hopkins was the champ, he lost it to Taylor, he lost to Pavlik, Martinez beat Pavlik.

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Saul Alvarez- tricky one but yes, I believe his win over Trout should've given him the vacant championship. Mayweather was ranked because of his win over Cotto. Floyd dropped down to Welterweight and hadn't fought for a year at Junior Middle and it was unclear whether he would again. Trout and Alvarez was then left as the top 2. However if in your opinion Mayweather should be given more time and he and Alvarez should be number 1 and 2, then I won't argue. The winner of their fight is definitely the number the champ after anyhow.

Floyd Mayweather- This will cause some controversy here but no. However I do believe there is a lineal champion at 147 and that man is Tim Bradley. Allow me to explain before I get ripped a new arse hole by *****'s.

• Mayweather vacated the title in 2007 during his brief and aborted retirement.
• Following Mayweather win over Mosley on May 1st 2010 and Pacquiao's wins over De La Hoya, Cotto and Clottey, both was number 1 and 2 (in what order was up for debate)
• Number 3 and 4 was Berto and Mosley (again order up for debate), note than Mosley's draw vs Mora was at 154
• On the 16/4 2011, Victor Ortiz beat Andre Berto. Being that it was Ortiz's Welterweight debut and Berto was largely unproven against world class foes, therefore I ranked Mosley 3 and Ortiz 4.
• On May 1 2011, a year had passed since Mayweather stepped in the ring and at that time he didn't have another fight scheduled.
• That left Pacquiao and Mosley 1 and 2 in my rankings- they then fought on 7/5/2011- with Pacquiao the victor.
• Despite the controversial results of JMM-Pac 3 and Bradley- Pac, the official results have lead to Bradley holding the lineage in my eyes.

Danny Garcia- no. I don't think he and Khan was number 1 and no 2 in the division at time they fought (Garcia's biggest win at the time Morales, Khan was coming off a loss), however the winner of him and Lucas (should they fight) will be the champion in my mind.

Mikey Garcia- no. Any championship fight should go through Chris John.

Guillermo Rigondeaux- Yes. I believe Nishioka and Donaire was number 1 and 2 when they fought, Rigo beat Donaire, so yes.

Akira Yagashi- Yes. He holds the lineage passed from Wongjongkam, to Sonny Boy Jaro, to Igarahi, to Yagashi.

 

You not think Alvarez is a controversial one too (obviously the winner of him Mayweather is not)

And do you not think Wlad really should have to beat Vital?

I've noticed TRB only has Stevenson, Ward, Martinez, Rigo and Yaegashi.

 

Yep, nothing against Floyd Mayweather- he's clearly the best fighter at Welterweight and if you don't have a champion he would be ranked 1st.

I feel removing a fighter due to a year of inactivity when they haven't got a fight scheduled is the right one.

I know at the time of the Pacquiao- Mosley fight the Ring had Pac number 1, Ortiz number 2 and Mosley number 3 and Berto number 4 (they was followed by a bunch of Euro level fighters like Zaveck, Senchenko and Jackiewiez) I just felt Mosley win over Magarito, despite a loss to Mayweather (no shame in that) he had achieved more than Ortiz had in his debut. Thus I felt Pac v Sugar Shane should've been a title fight (as bad as it sounds)

 

I think the Ring brought in a policy at time around about a week before the fight that they dropped fighter who got caught cheating- putting Garcia and Khan into championship slots and the argument against Matthysse was 'Khan beat Judah and Matthysse didn't'

I agree on John was the clear guy at Featherweight- I'd argue that Garcia was not even the number 3 back then as he hadn't really beaten any top ranked guys.

I think the outrage of over looking Huck lead to the Championship policy (or them trying to save face as I believe it was) however I'm not as against Hernandez being the recognized champ as you are (my reasoning is in the OP)

There rankings are getting worse. Check out their Strawweight rankings on their website for example.

Hekkie Budler beat Nkosinathi Joyi by SD last week. They are obviously aware it happened because their records are updated accordingly. Yet Joyi is ranked 3rd and Budler....7th! :-(

 

Yes but the policy is, if they have a fight scheduled, they remain in the rankings. Mayweather didn't at the time. I believe he signed to fight Ortiz round about June/ July time.

 

June 7th it was he scheduled his fight with Vicious Victor

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