I held him at 18 because Lewis was clearly the man during his WBO reign, but I am going to say 23 from now on for two reasons: A) It has become more common to call guys like Tommy Morrison and Ray Mercer "former world champions." If the WBO is retroactively a world belt for them, then it is for Wlad as well. And, the big one: B) Guys like Wilder, Martin, and Joshua have now so degraded the meaning of what it means to be a "champion," that Wlad's first WBO run was a good one by comparison. Wilder beat a guy in Stiverne to earn his "title" that was stopped by Demetrice King. Stivern's ****py recent performance by Rossy about confirms his level as much lower than world class. Wilder has gone on to defend his "title" against Molina (twice stopped in the first round), Duhaupas and Szpilka, who have done NOTHING to be near a title. Joshua is a guy whose camp has ADMITTED that he is not ready for a Fury, and yet he picked up a "world title" against a guy who was even more raw and unqualifed. Shouldn't he now be called the Champion-of-the-world-minus-Tyson Fury? Is Tyson Fury no longer on the planet or something? Wlad's WBO reign was commenced by beating a very high quality guy in Chris Byrd (wins against Vitali, Holyfield and Tua) and it was defended against some very high quality guys in Mercer (former champ) and McCline (who beat three top ten guys to get the shot). It shames Wilder's tenor. So, because of the evolution of boxing, I am acknowledging Wlad has having 23 defenses. Agree or disagree?
Have to agree but I give wilder more props for his win against stivern Bcus - maybe stivern has declined since Bcus he was considered decent fighter before Don't get when ppl shish on wlad - champs in ever era can have a dissection of their resume and make out like they took the easy route/ducked etc
whether 18 or 23, it certainly shows outstanding longevity, top three longevity out of the hw champs.
Giving everyone the same benefit--acknowledging any reasonable title--I have wlad as number four or so: Louis 25 or 27, Two extra for beating EBU champion Lee Savold, though the EBU immediately transferred recognition to Ezzard Charles who had already beaten Louis. Though no title was on the line when he won two more before losing to Marciano, if Holmes gets credit for the Fraizer fight, Louis should have two more. Johnson 9 or 26 17 defenses of the "colored" title Wills 0 or 26 Never got the shot against Dempsey but made 26 defenses of the "colored" title Wlad 12 or 18 or 23 18 on his WBA/IFB/WBO run, and other five on his first WBO run. ESB legend McGrain establishes his legitimate title reighn after beaing Chagaev. As said, I am giving him 23 from now on. Holmes 8 or 11, or 12, or 16 or 19 or 20 Holmes is generally credited at 20, but no belt was on the line when he beat Marvis Frazier. What is more, if Wladdy has to wait until Chagaev, then Holmes, who beat Norton, who was handed a belt in a board room, has to wait until he beats Ali. What is more, his last three were defending a title that he was handed in a board room himself. I used to be comfortable with anything between 8-19 for his real reign, but now acknowledge 20 with all-in counting. Ali 19 No controversy apart from a couple of dodgy decisions. Hell of a feat! And probably would have been more with the three extra years. Still the greatest regardless of numbers.
ok then I'llmake it top five or six in terms of longevity, rather than top three. its great longevity, probably the mainstay of wlads resume as a champion (since he doesn't really have anything else to make that claim).
We have all been over and back again on that one. Wlad never beat a great fighter, but I think he beat some very good ones. Prime Povetkin, Ibragimov, Chagaev, Haye, Byrd, McCline, Thompson and Peter were all good A- to B+ wins in my book. But as you like. This thread i about his longevity.
his best win is probably Chaggy. Haye and Pov are good defences against real B+ level contenders (haye even had a brief but terrible mini-reign) but outside that its bleak. Having to sell a near 40 year old Thompson as a good defence(twice!) underlines it, even one such defence would be seen as a HW champion clearly faking it before the K bros came along and made it the norm. but yeah outstanding longevity for sure, top six as you've corrected for. All the more outstanding given his relatively poor ability H2H.
