Is the Linear Champion a redundant title in this Era of Boxing.

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Terminator_X, Nov 9, 2014.


  1. Terminator_X

    Terminator_X Boxing Addict Full Member

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    After last nights win for Kovalev, there is no doubt in most boxing fans minds that the best fighter at 175lbs is Sergey Kovalev. Unfortunately we have a situation where the Linear champion at that weight Adonis Stevenson refuses to fight Kovalev and instead chooses Safer opposition.

    We are now in a Era of boxing where the Linear Champion can decide to choose inferior opposition and not facing his obvious Number 1 challenger whilst keeping a hold of the mythical title as the 'Linear Champion'. We've also seen Floyd Mayweather do the same thing and not face his Number 1 challenger in Manny Manny Pacquiao. Andre Ward has also been sitting on his Linear Belt for the last two years without facing many challengers and we see the same thing happen in nearly every Division where there is a Linear Champion with the notable exception of Wladmir Klitscho.

    With 4 World title belts and two major Boxing Channels in America, a fighter can choose to never face the very best opposition and still make a great money in Boxing.

    It's time Boxing fans disregarded the LINEAR CHAMPION and give the title of The Number 1 in the division to the Boxer who is willing to face ALL COMPETITION rather then selective ones.

    What are your thoughts and opinions?
     
    Terminator_X, Nov 9, 2014
    Terminator_X, Nov 9, 2014
    #1
  2. Zakman

    Zakman ESB's Chinchecker Full Member

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    I don't pay any attention to this "linear champion" stuff - as your post demonstrates, in many cases, it leads to nonsensical assertions about who is really "the man" in a division.

    The proliferation of titles has ruined the sport, to the point where in many cases, it is not clear in particular divisions who the "champion" is. Unless someone establishes them as dominant over an extended period - like Wlad Klitschko, for example - then the title should be considered pretty much vacant.
     
    Zakman, Nov 9, 2014
    Zakman, Nov 9, 2014
    #2
  3. jim jim

    jim jim Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Pretty much nearly as bad as pound for pound
     
    jim jim, Nov 9, 2014
    jim jim, Nov 9, 2014
    #3
  4. Xelloss

    Xelloss Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Lineal designation was just an attempt to preserve the "one champ per division". The problem is, though fans occasionally mention it... it does not seem to factor into the business side of things at all. Unlike old days where there was truly one champion/belt per division, there is not even the slightest mandatory pressure or in this current business climate - financial pressure to fight the most worthy or even noteworthy challengers.

    As such, while it is possible for a fighter to be lineal champ and the true champ of the division if they act like one....

    The lineal "title" no longer means anything, at all. At least not in of itself.
     
    Xelloss, Nov 9, 2014
    Xelloss, Nov 9, 2014
    #4
  5. kingfisher3

    kingfisher3 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    linear champion is at least as, if not more, important than abc belts imo. It doesn't, and never has meant that the holder is the best fighter in the division.
     
    kingfisher3, Nov 9, 2014
    kingfisher3, Nov 9, 2014
    #5
  6. mrdoctor

    mrdoctor GGG Full Member

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    It's redundant
     
    mrdoctor, Nov 9, 2014
    mrdoctor, Nov 9, 2014
    #6
  7. Cafe

    Cafe Sitzpinkler Full Member

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    I agree, Kovalev's the man of the division now.
     
    Cafe, Nov 9, 2014
    Cafe, Nov 9, 2014
    #7
  8. Boxer777

    Boxer777 Member Full Member

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    Let's not forget Cotto. He's not going to fight GGG any time soon, who is recognized as the best fighter at 160.
     
    Boxer777, Nov 9, 2014
    Boxer777, Nov 9, 2014
    #8
  9. buckdacious

    buckdacious Sin~City punks!!! Full Member

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    Stevenson is champ but Kolvev is the best fighter in the division
     
    buckdacious, Nov 9, 2014
    buckdacious, Nov 9, 2014
    #9
  10. Terminator_X

    Terminator_X Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Of the current Linear or Ring champions, here’s a list of those that WILL fight all challengers, those that WON’T and those who are Borderline.

    WILL FIGHT THE BEST

    Heavyweight – Wladimir Klitschko
    Super Bantamweight – Guillermo Rigondeaux
    Flyweight – Roman Gonzalez (although needs to fight Juan Estrada asap)
    Light Flyweight – Donnie Nietes

    BORDERLINE

    Cruiserweight - Yoan Pablo Hernandez – Same trainer as Marco Huck but needs to fight Denis Lebedev asap.
    Super Middleweight – Andre Ward – Has fought everyone but his lack of activity hurts his linear status.
    Light Welterweight – Danny Garcia – Started off great but seems to be ducking now.

    WON’T FIGHT THE BEST

    Light Heavyweight – Adonis Stevenson
    Middleweight – Miguel Cotto
    Light Middleweight – Floyd Mayweather
    Welterweight – Floyd Mayweather
     
    Terminator_X, Nov 9, 2014
    Terminator_X, Nov 9, 2014
    #10
  11. Terminator_X

    Terminator_X Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Stevenson should no longer be the champ though. If you refuse to fight the best then you should be stripped of your Linear/Ring title.
     
    Terminator_X, Nov 10, 2014
    Terminator_X, Nov 10, 2014
    #11
  12. Robney

    Robney ᴻᴼ ᴸᴼᴻᴳᴲᴿ ᴲ۷ᴵᴸ Full Member

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    The biggest problem with today's lineal title is that a) the Ring doesn't enforce their own rules on defending it, b) fighters can hide behind network contracts, c) it's more about who actually gets the chance to beat the lineal champ as who are the most deserving to the fight and d) fighters outright refuse to fight real life opponents.
     
    Robney, Nov 10, 2014
    Robney, Nov 10, 2014
    #12