The importance of title reigns

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Jel, Oct 29, 2018.


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  1. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    If Liston had gotten his chance earlier ,when Floyd and Ingo were playing pass the parcel with the title he may well have racked up defences against Williams,Terrell,Folley,Machen,Ingo.
     
    mcvey, Oct 29, 2018
    mcvey, Oct 29, 2018
    #16
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  2. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Yeah, he’s like...6-10 in my WW list, and this run adds to his 126 and 135 titles and huge amount of quality scalps to see him rightly ranked in the top 5 of anyone worth their salt.

    I really don’t think Armstrong gets short changed at all. Those numbers are impressive, but how many ranked welters did he actually beat? Obviously the best ones were Ross and Garcia. Beat Zivic third time round, right? (Non-title obviously)

    If you think he’s a top 5 welterweight based on the numbers, I’d say he’s being overrated. As I say, most recognise the circumstances and context and rank Armstrong accordingly.

    It’s the same reason we don’t put Wonjongkam on Ortiz or Perez’s level. Longtime lineal champ, loads of defences, but the quality just isn’t there.
     
    Flea Man, Oct 29, 2018
    Flea Man, Oct 29, 2018
    #17
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  3. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Sorry i was thinking the other way. Highly rated without huge reigns.
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 30, 2018
    JohnThomas1, Oct 30, 2018
    #18
  4. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    I agree. I think fighting for a championship means more and is more likely to bring out the best in the champion and challenger. I'm sure there are plenty of notable exceptions to that statement, but there are also plenty of examples of champions struggling in non-title fights against opponents but when the title is on the line, the champion ups his game.

    It's why world championships and long title reigns really matter in evaluating greatness.

    I do take Flea Man's point about context. Of course, context is important. My only point here is that, even without context, there is significant value to a long world title reign with mulitiple defenses (in the era of unified or undisputed world champions anyway) that even if the era the champion fought in is perceived as weak, takes a hell of a fighter just to achieve that alone.
     
    Jel, Oct 30, 2018
    Jel, Oct 30, 2018
    #19
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  5. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    I totally hear you about acknowledging and respecting title reigns Jel.
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 30, 2018
    JohnThomas1, Oct 30, 2018
    #20
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