Is The IBO A "Proper" Recognised Strap??

No it isn't and won't.

 

No

 

Maybe in fifteen or twenty years if they stick around. That is basically how the WBO legitimized itself, standing in the shadows until their hardware passed through enough big talents' hands.


...but, at present, no way.



...and that would really suck. Four is already a crowd.

 

None of them are proper, but some are unfortunately recognized. The IBO isn't one of them.

 

Nope.

Maybe if the WBA, WBC and IBF keep the bull**** up from the last couple of years and people get fed up with them and will look at the IBO as more legit.

 

The WBO already played that card, though. :think

Can it be played twice?

 

...in which division?

 

I dont know about the strap, but their fighter rankings are the most legitimate of them all because they're totally unbiased.

 

Nope

 

Just reshuffle the deck :yep

 

If they keep spawning like that, we'll be playing "52 Pickup" in a few generations' time. With enough over-proliferation there will be pro boxing world champs with records worse-looking than your average MMA champs'! :!:

(hell, there are already more than 52 champs when you multiply seventeen divisions by each org... 68, not to mention all the interim/super/regular/silver/polka-dot...:dead)

 

The IBO isn't recognized as one of the (4) major belts, but it's #5 and they have been progressing during the last couple of years. You can even see some fighters like Golovkin titled as the "WBA and IBO champion" which helps IBO increase their reputation. Similar situation you had with Wladimir Klitschko back then as "IBF/IBO heavyweight champion".

It would only take one universally recognized and widely popular champion to drop/vacate the other belt(s) and keep the IBO one and IBO would become recognized in that particular weight class, then it would spread at the other classes.

It is bad to have more than one "champion" per weight class, even 2 organizations would be okay, but 4 is already too much. Professional boxing needs to be organized similar to amateur boxing. Then there would be no questions who is really the champion and who is the most deserving challenger. AIBA is starting their own pro boxing, we will see how will it go.