The WBO and their mandatories

well said, Failey, 21 defences shared between them is impressive but I don't think they have as many as 21 legit ones between them, mate. Joe has barely any for starters.

 

Was Tarver even wanting to fight for the WBO? That is the other side of the equation I remember several fighters back in the day either simply didn't want to fight for the WBO belt or if they did didn't pay the sanctioning fee or outright just dropped the belt right when they won it.

 

That doesn't really mean anything. DM was the WBA/IBF/WBO/Lineal champion. He was THE guy to fight but Tarver might not have wanted it for whatever reason. Just like Roy didn't want to step up to the plate and take the risk. It happens.

 

I dont know and havent claimed to. I asked a question after you said seems DM ducked Tarver. Look above at what Rico has written. I will copy a bit of it for you - Was Tarver even wanting to fight for the WBO?
You made a comment Imperial and now when questioned seem to be trying to pull one of your legendary ducks

 

Its damn well. For future reference when you pull another duck.
Sure enough you havent said what you define as Elite. New post and already a duck

 

People forget the the other ABC orgs at the time would drop you from their rankings for simply fighting for the WBO belt. It is why the WBO rankings were so odd sometimes because they often would rank guys on purpose who were not ranked by the other orgs so they could have fights.

Oscar, Naz, and Calzaghe did A LOT to legitimatize the WBO back in the day. People forget that.

 

but failey you call anything a duck if it suits your agenda.

if Imperial said its a nice day today you'd call it a duck if you felt it slighted joe calslappy.

 

Im sure I recall reading a boxing mag years ago which had a list of the title, with the champ and their list of mandatories and there was Hamed as WBO FW champ with a fighter he had beaten rated higher than him in another organisation. That may not be correct as it was some years ago, but I think it is

 

HBO would cringe every time they mentioned the WBO back in the day. There was always a stigma attached to the WBO and it was mostly because of Don Jose Suliaman who would make threats to unrank any fighter that fought for the WBO. Pretty sure Mercer and Bowe both immediately dropped the WBO Heavyweight belt after winning it. It was looked at as worthless. Overtime this changed of course and their policies are much better than some of the older orgs (especially the WBA for example)

 

They very well might not have forced the fight but what are they going to do if Tarver didn't want the chance anyway? That isn't DM's fault I would assume they would just ask the next available person in the rankings if they wanted the fight. Would be a great question to ask Tarver personally I would like to hear his thoughts on the issue :good

 

They were definitely content.

Last year Joe bragged of his number of WBO title defences.