Hi guys, I asked this question a couple of months ago on a different forum and no one seemed to know. The knowledge of the sport on Eastside seems to be much greater so im sure someone will have the answers. Given that the BBBofC website is pretty basic, as too is that of the WBC I was looking to clarify the meaning of different belts handed out by the more familiar organisations. In Britain we have 8 different area councils. In addition to the English, Celtic and British titles, boxers can fight for Area titles. But whats the difference between fighting for an area title and a British masters title? Also the WBC and WBO in addition to their world title offer their International title. But what is an International title? Who can boxer for one? The EBU have even created EBU European Union belts and Mediterranean titles!! It is probably just publicity to create more champions and promote the sport but it all seams a bit complicated Furthermore Enzos last fight was for the intercontinental title. Again what does this title mean and is it sought after or is it just a world title eliminator in which you receive a nice little belt? The last time I seen someone fight for the Intercontinental title they were put in the Million Dollar Dream!
If I'm correct, they're all ranking belts which serve the purpose of getting you higher in an organisations rankings. Ie the English title usually leads to a British title shot
For example, you'll get contenders fighting for WBC, WBA International belts because those belts can get you in the top 20 and up the rankings. For the world it is the international belt. For America it is the NABF (WBC), USBA (IBF), NABO (WBO) and NABA (WBA).
Thanks for the info:good Any idea what the British Masters title is. Pele Reid won one recently. How does it differ from an area titleand who can fight for it?
Good questions leather I was wondering these things myself, but I guess to propel yourself up the rankings is the only real incentive to win them.
ypu tend to find the that if you win and defend and international/intercontinental belt a few times it will push you up the rankings , a big part of this i bet is the fact the sanctioning body will be gettign a sanctioning fee for the fight .
The Masters title is a strange one, as far as I'm aware(and someone please correct me if I'm wrong) anyone can fight for the title. You'd don't have to be eligible for the British title to fight for it, just once you're licensed by the BBBofC. If you are challenged to defend your Masters title by someone you must defend the belt or vacate it. The Masters title doesn't really do anything though. Unlike an area title it probably won't lead to a English/Celtic/British title fight. It's an intriguing belt. The EBU have an EU title, which can only be fought for by boxers from within the EU. They also have an EE(external European) title which can only be fought for by boxers in Europe but outside the EU. Both of these titles improve your European title ranking and defending the belt should quickly see you rise up through the rankings.
There seems to be all sorts of weird and wonderful belts out there now. The Mediterranean titles are surly taking it to far. I rewmember John Buster Keeton fighting for the Dutch cruiserweight title a few years ago! why was he able to do that?
Some titles can be fought for one only one of the participants actually eligible to win the title. Buster wouldn't have actually got the Dutch title had he won. Some countries do this as they have a lack of fighters available to fight for their title but still want National Champions. A lot of the World Orgs(WBO, WBC) will let fights go on for their bull**** titles eg. WBC latino, with only one fighter eligible. Either fighter can claim the belt should they win though and a non latino can hold and defend the WBC latino title provided he continues fighting latino fighters.
Not entirely sure about the British Masters. I understand the others but not quite sure about that one.
The general conscientious is that no one really knows what the British Masters is. Lee Edwards won it in only he 7th fight but the fact that a seasoned vet like Pele Reid has recently won would suggest its not for up and coming fighters
