has erdei finally done enough to impress people?

Most people view Fragomeni as a fairly weak cruiserweight. So, no, I don't believe this has done all that much to establish Erdei's legitimacy. Even if it did, the resentment over the way he's--blame the promoter, if you like--held the lineal title hostage for so long would prevent many from acknowledging it.

 

I don't really get the 'holding the lineal title hostage' thing. If you are the man, then it's up to people to come get the title from you. You're not obligated to go looking for challangers.

Tell me which of the big names at LHW over the past ten years went looking for Erdei?

 

There is some merit to what you say. I don't believe there have been many American contenders or belt holders over the past decade who have actively sought out a fight with Erdei. Let's face it: He's not exactly a box office draw in the U.S.

However, there are a few points on the other side that ought to be mentioned. First, as I'm sure you know, being the lineal champion and being "the man" sometimes do not coincide. Absurd consequences can follow if the two concepts are conflated. In fact, many people use Erdei as an exemplar in advancing such a point. Second, even if in principle the champion is not required to seek out competition, in practice it is imperative for his legacy to not merely sit on a belt and lineal tag while fighting mundane challengers. Fighters aren't obliged to do anything they don't want, in my opinion. Erdei was free, and continues to be so, to fight whomever he desires. Nevertheless, the lack of competition will continue to prevent many from giving him any substantial credit for a long reign.

 

The proponents of the lineal ideal however, should be arguing for this. Light heavyweight division is a very good example of the things that are wrong with boxing. On the one hand you have a long time lineal champion who, as you say, has generally faced mediocre competition and who pretty much nobody would actually argue to be the best in the division.

On the other hand, you have had a serious of contenders fighting in America - Jones, Tarver, latterly Hopkins, Calzaghe, now Dawson, being feted as the best without any kind of demand being made of them that they should prove their claim by going to Germany and seeking out the linear champion.

The sport would be a great deal better if neither of those situations was allowed to occur.

 

not sure, who is he

 

Latest American to duck Erdei: Travis Cloud...

 

Short answer, no.

 

Agreed.

 

Ne

 

Outside of heavyweight, where the recent Klitschko dominance has completely changed the balance of power, the "big fish in a small pond" factor simply favors the American titlist.

Warring with an ancient Fragomeni doesn't change the fact that Dawson has now defended against Johnson and Tarver twice, and Adamek, a win that looks better all the time. Erdei can hold onto that WBO belt for the next five years, and if he never makes the effort that guys like Calzaghe and Woods did to come prove themselves in America, he'll be a footnote in boxing history.

Best thing for him would be if Cloud tried to come and take his belt. Cloud is still very, very raw, but even that win would greatly boost his credibility with the average fan.

 

I honestly dont know hu erdi is, never seen him fight before