Should the IBO just...fold?

They have been in existence for 35 years now, and they are no closer to elbowing their way onto boxing's sanctioning body Mount Rushmore than in the latter decade of the previous millennium. Sure, the WBO managed to shoehorn its way into the Big 3 and force the majority of fans, after no small amount of grumbling, to reluctantly accept them as more than just a glorified alt-EBU and consider their belt holders legitimate world titlists with a place at the re-set Big 4 table - but the IBO was founded in precisely the same year as the WBO, and since 1988 have not amassed half the respectability or prestige.

Oh sure, a few luminaries have worn their prize - but those champs have all worn other, more important straps and the IBO has just been an extra bauble in their collection to wear as window-dressing, stats-padding, optics-boosting, whatever you want to call it.

To wit, the men that have been IBO heavyweight champion:

1. Pinklon Thomas
2. Lionel Butler
3. Danell Nicholson
4. Jimmy Thunder
5. Brian Nielsen
6. Lennox Lewis
7. Hasim Rahman
8. Lennox Lewis (2)
9. Wladimir Klitschko
10. Tyson Fury
11. Anthony Joshua
12. Andy Ruiz Jr.
13. Anthony Joshua (2)
14. Oleksandr Usyk

At first glance, nothing to sneeze at. Gormless from 1992-99 but things pick up from there. We're talking Hall of Fame heavies from Lennox onward (bubble maybe for The Rock, and he'd be among the weaker inductees ever). Thing is, though, nobody thinks about him or Wlad and immediately exclaims "ah yes! The onetime IBO champion!"

Fury vs. Usyk is the most important heavyweight match so far of this century, and while yes, the IBO has received its sanctioning fees and will have their belt contested as part of this momentous unification to crown a champion that is both lineal & undisputed for the first time since Lewis vs. Holyfield II - not a soul alive would bat an eyelash if they withdrew their sanctioning. It would affect nothing. Its inclusion isn't even an afterthought.

Nobody cares that anybody was ever an IBO world titlist, not one fan or serious boxing historian. If that is the only 'world title' you ever wore, most people aren't going to regard you as having been realistically more than a contender.

Here is their current lineup:

Heavyweight - Usyk
Cruiserweight - Jack Massey
Light heavyweight - Padraig McCrory
Super middleweight - Osleys Iglesias
Middleweight - Gennadiy Golovkin
Light middleweight - Dennis Hogan
Welterweight - Daniyar Yeleussinov
Light welterweight - Alejandro Meneses
Lightweight - Maxi Hughes
Super featherweight - Anthony Cacace
Featherweight - James Dickens
Super bantamweight - Luduno Lamati
Bantamweight - Michell Banquez
Super flyweight - Georges Ory
Flyweight - Dave Apolinario
Light flyweight - Tibo Monabesa
Strawweight - Ayana Ndulani

Aside from GGG and The Cat, not exactly the sport's best & brightest. And once again, nobody is putting too much weight into either of their IBO reigns when doing their legacy calculus.

Hell, it has been a few years since I paid the modern scene rapt (almost nonpareil) attention but even so, nobody would call me a casual and half these names are gobbledygook to me. Seriously. A few I'm vaguely aware of but couldn't match a face to a name or tell you for the life of me what their in-ring style is like; then you Dennis Hogan, somebody I'm fond of but can readily admit he's mediocre, a contender at best; and then some just straight-up mysteries crossing my eyes for the very first time writing this.

I think probably the only reason they ever got attention for getting within sniffing distance of being semi-legitimate was because Wlad held it for the better part of a decade (sort of like how Calzaghe and some others helped gradually legitimize the WBO using "champ makes the belt" logic) - but the problem is, he also held the IBF exactly the same length of time. Down to a day in fact; he wore IBO & IBF from 4/22/2006 until 11/28/2015.

But there haven't been enough Wlads to buff its lineage in any division. He can't shoulder the load alone to elevate them into "Big 5" status. There hasn't been a time when the best in a division, or even a top 5 guy, spent a long time holding their belt and none other.

35 years, man. I know this is piling on, and my apologies if any posters here work for this org - but Jesus. They really need to pack it all in and call it a day. There was briefly a niche and some daylight to reaching the promised land - but the WBO already filled it, and pulled the ladder up behind them. No point really, in continuing to pretend the IBO does any serious kingmaking in pugilism, today or likely ever.

 

I've always thought so, but it has been getting increasingly annoying to see them insinuate themselves into big events (like Fury vs. Usyk) where they don't belong. They are the clout vampires of the ABC's.

Kind of like how Disco Inferno gets to say he was a member of the nWo and it's like...okay, yeah, technically you were at one point but **** you Glenn, nobody cares or remembers.

 

"Yes, my lifelong dream is to continue the proud lineage that began with Pinklon Thomas. Granted in my career I've never worn the green one that Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali wore, but...this one's just as good. Nay, better. "