This was just a fun little experiment to see where it goes and I like it. If Langford won the "lineal heavyweight title" from Iron Hauge and it was a mutual expression among all the writers, guys in the biz because of Johnsons disinterest this is how the lineage would look. what's cool is it does taper into the original lineage albeit skipping over Willard do you think this is a more deserving lot then Johnsons defences and Willard holding the title hostage? Langford- 1909 Fireman Flynn-1910 Langford-1910 Mcvea-1911 Langford-1912 Gunboat Smith-1913 Georges Carpentier- 1914 Jack Dempsey-1921 In this timeline Langford is the first lineal three time heavyweight champ. This is obviously not a perfect simulation of how a real lineage with a belt on the line would look but hey it's just for fun.
Nice concept. By way of experiment, I thought I'd see how much difference it makes if Smith doesn't get disqualified against Carpentier (he was widely seen as having got a raw deal). I came up with this weird, meandering list of champions, which includes four more reigns for Langford (the last ending in 1923), two brief reigns for Dempsey in 1918 and 1927, and a reign for Pat Lester (who had lost to the 48 year old Jack Johnson a couple of weeks previously). Finally Gene Tunney becomes champion in 1927 and normal service is resumed. Sam Langford - 1914 Joe Jeanette - 1915 Sam Langford - 1916 Bill Tate - 1917 Sam Langford - 1917 Fred Fulton - 1917 Texas Tate - 1917 Fred Fulton - 1918 Jack Dempsey - 1918 Willie Meehan - 1918 Fred Fulton - 1918 Harry Wills - 1920 Bill Tate - 1922 Jack Thompson - 1922 Battling Owens - 1922 Sam Langford - 1922 Clem Johnson - 1923 Jim McCreary - 1923 Jack Taylor - 1924 Tut Jackson - 1924 Battling Gahee - 1924 John Lester Johnson - 1924 Tony Fuente - 1926 Pat Lester - 1926 Charley Weinert - 1926 Jim Maloney - 1926 Jack Sharkey - 1927 Jack Dempsey - 1927 Gene Tunney - 1927
Why not? The scheduling of the distance of fights is always a variable. If both parties agree to four rounds, then so be it.
Well, it's an imaginary belt, so you can do whatever you with it. I've never seen a championship fight that comes with a physical belt rather than conceptual one that was scheduled for less than 10 rounds, unless we're counting WSB.
Not to be too flippant, but use your imagination then! Actually John L fought four round defences for starters. But my point is; if the contract is agreed then the potential length of the fight is merely a factor in either fighter’s strategy. It is not a disqualification for a fight to be for a lineal title.
Not if you believe in Dariusz-->Julio Cesar Gonzalez-->Erdei-->Grachiev (10 rounder)->Edwin Rodriguez-->Ward-->vacant Or Dariusz-->Gonzalez-->Erdei-->vacant No lineage for Kovalev without beating Adonis as far as I'm concerned.
