I know a few fighters have won "versions" of world titles in more than three weight divisions, but do you think the day will arrive even with 17 rather than 8 divisions, that a fighter will win 'general universal recognition' as World Champion in four divisions? *I used Armstrong, as he is the poster child for multi title world champions. As although a few have held three generally, universally recognised World Championships, Armstrong famously is the only man to do it as the same time. Which arguably is the finest achievement, not just in boxing (which is a given), but in sports, period.
In many divisions,,,,you don't even know who the real champion is......basically now it is impossible to win/own 3-4 True Championships at the same time.
That has basically always been the case, (even in the supposed one champ, eight division era), which is why Armstrong's achievement in particular, but also all those fighters who won general universal recognition as champ in three divisions, are so special. The very top fighters have a lot more leverage now a days, than ever before, if they really want to create the matches required to put them up there with Armstrong and company.
Welcome funkboxblue. So do you think the achievement can be equalled or maybe even surpassed? Where do you rate the achievement in Boxing/Sport's history?
Hell no, Armstrong ruled his divisions. No one can possibly do that now because it's hard to rule 1 division as it is now as there's too many belts. Armstrong did not have to worry about belts in his era as there was only one per division in his time. Greed is why there's so many "champions" now. Armstrong may be the best multi-weight fighter of all times. They don't make them as tough as he was anymore, too many primadonnas.
But Armstrong did fight in an era of Multi Title holders, he still needed to gain universal recognition, in an era when fighters really were treated like trash and suckers. Now a days the top fighters promote themselves, they can literally make the matches that matter. And yet so often this does not happen. I am not calling on Messrs Mayweather, Pacquiao and Marquez to unify the WBAWHATTHE%U~KISGOINGONWITHMODERNBOXING? title with their IBFIDONOTNEEDABELTIAMTHATBIG and WBCIFIFIGHTTHISEASYMANDATORYIAVOIDAPOTENTIALLYEXCITINGPICKEMFIGHT belts, I am suggesting that if they prove themselves the best at a weight, and remove any lineage claims, they could start knocking on the door of becoming the first true four division World champ.
Hard to say. Pac has never cleaned out a weight class, although he has been 4 times lineal champ. It would really be the equivalent of hopkins unifying lightheavy then jumping up and beating both klitschko brothers. In todays era we usually have 3 types of champ. One who cleans out 1 division, one who has a short reign before losing and 1 who has a short reign before jumping to a different weight class. Very few clean out then move up and clean out again. Robinson did with welter and middle which is why he's so highly regarded.
Well I take that back. Even in Armstrong's time, there were belts such as a "Championship recognised by Arizona" and even a "Championship recognised by Mexico". It's the world titles that mattered much more of course but titles like those I mentioned were around. In my eyes, Armstrong is the first true 4 division world champ. He got robbed in the rematch against Garcia. No way did he deserve a "draw". As far as today, people care too much on "cashing in" and could care less about cleaning divisions. We may never see dominant champs such as Monzon, Hagler, Hopkins, Trinidad or Holmes again. Moving up to gain new belts and more big money matches is more cherished now than defeating all the good names in a division. Then you have to add the fact that many divisions have been added since Armstrong's time so it seems like there's a "super" or "jr" attached to every division which also adds more belts. Can a fighter ruling divisions happen? Yes. Will it? Almost no chance because of the reasons I've stated.
No. Guys might hold a fraction of 3 titles at once but Armstong covered 5 division by todays standards.
if not for racism and scared champions. langford could have been champ from lightweight to heavyweight. imo, the armstrong feat is incredible and overrated at the same time. ross was only 142 lbs when armstrong fought him for the welter title so the range of weight for the title wins was 126-142. it's the fact that he beat hofs ross and ambers that's most impressive to me.
