Yes, he did beat the 175 pound title holder, but their were a lot things about that event that just didn't make sense. The fight was for the relatively new vacant 168 lb title and wbc 175 title, but they had the fight take place at 168 lb limit. So, not only did ray not beat a true supermiddleweight champion, but he also had a natural light-heavy shed 7 lbs to come down and fight him. He never fought at the true 175 lb limit, nor could he possibly make the weight. There were even rumors that he came to the weigh-in with sand bags in his pockets, so its no guarantee he truly could make 168. I myself give him credit for beating a good natural light- heavyweight, but he only should have been awarded the 168 lb title, he shouldn't have been awarded 175 lb title because the fight didn't take place at that weight even though he beat the guy who held the title. thoughts
That would've been the more fair way to do it. Personally, I've never heard of more than one weightclass' title being on the line in one fight before or since that.
I understand Leonard was the cash cow of boxing. But, the guy got away with murder in those day's and got pretty much whatever he wanted:-(
yeah...um NO WAY. i remember when the fight was for 2 belts....168 and 175 only in boxing..... 1 fight...1 belt to be won in its repsective weight division...lalonde had to go down to 167 to fight him...hardly a light heavyweight contest
SRL a great fighter, but no. i agree, the belts should of have pertained to that weight division they were fighting in. trying to kill 2 birds with one stone. gotta earn those belts just like everybody else. kinda sad. great thread
I think that is the only time it has happened. Roy Jones tried to get Calzaghe to do it in their fight as Calzaghe held The Ring 168 and 175 belts but it didn't happen.
I don't view SRL as a former lightheavyweight champion because... he never fought at lightheavyweight. Simple. It was a ****-up by the authorities, it is absolutely ludicrous that someone could win the 175lbs belt while fighting at a 168lbs limit. No, it doesn't count and we shouldn't recognize it.
