Nobody that drew the colour line should be considered a lineal champion

Randolph Turpin was British Middleweight Champion in the 50's.

 

You got it... as least as far as heavies. I don't include the decades where Eastern Bloc athletes were denied access to the crown. It has become obvious what the talent those countries provide to the sport.

 

While we're at it, let's discard all of MLB history which predates the arrival of Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers. No, wait, let's also trash all post Robinson history which precedes the integration of Japanese stars into the mix.

 

The whole concept being discussed is completely contradictory!

A lineage passes through the result of a fight and that is it. As soon as you strip someone you aint following linearity.

As said, I can understand johnson being considered the first world champion because he unified the coloured and white claims, but then you have to follow on even tho people still drew the colour line.

 

Works for me. "World Series" with only white Americans allowed? A joke. (Still is, though)

 

But then Patterson would be the first Champ, though.:good

 

I think a reasonable distinction is that Champion should fight what's there to fight. Called it the porefessional world champ if it fells better. And there are those who did fight the avalaible opposition and those who didn't...

 

Unfortunately Chinese and Indian athletes have not been able to compete due to lack of exposure. However, they have been doing rather well in commonwealth and olympic games. The lineal title should not exist until 1/2 of the world's population can participate.:smoke

 

And?



Dick won his title before brother Randy!

LOL, I just noticed!

 

I mark Alex Zolkin's arrival to the sport as the watershed moment.

Also, let's not forget all the great talent of South Africa that was shunned.

 

This thread is bringing out the worst forms of foolishness in people.

There is a certain historical reality to this lineage that cannot be altered retrospectivley.

You can dismiss this lineage, but you can never change it in its own terms.

 

And look at all the money the British government is pumping into Olympic Sports for 2012. That has greatly helped the British Amateur sport, and thus in due course will benefit the pro's. Yet other countries do not do this, thus you have less chance of getting the training you need, if you have talent.

That is not fair!

Unless we bring some form of worldwide Marxism into boxing, how can we ever have a true linear champ?