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From a historical context it's nuts.

 

Can you elaborate on that? I'd be interested why the veracity of those first 2 title defenses have come into question?

 

The first opponent Soldier Walker was 3-6 and the 2nd Jim O Brien was 0-1 with an earlier loss to Tommy Burns. IMO this makes them "blatantly unqualified" for the oppurtunity.

Both fights were planned for 10 rounds. While 10 rounds or even less can be title fights(the standards for this were all over the place in boxings early years) all of Burns other title defenses except the Jewey Smith one were planned for 20 or more. Theres also the possibility of not counting the Jewey Smith defense because he was 2-0. But while Smith went on to have a notable career after this fight that would have justified a title shot at a later date Soldier Walker and Jim O Brien did not.

Its the same idea with Joe Louis v Johnny Davis. Davis was 3-3 and it was a 4 rounder. Not a title defense even thought NYSAC recognized it as such.