What is a Champion? And what does Undisputed at HW mean to you?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Finkel, Nov 10, 2023.


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  1. kostya by ko

    kostya by ko Boxing Addict

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    Can someone please explain to me what is the situation with this Saudi Undisputed Belt.

    I read something about it being up for grabs in the Joshua fight?
     
    kostya by ko, Jan 20, 2024
    kostya by ko, Jan 20, 2024
    #16
  2. Finkel

    Finkel Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yeah, I'm not sure on that. It would seem strange for that to be the case. I assumed they were just using that press conference in part to promote the Undisputed fight. Which makes sense in a way. By making this fight next it attempts to legitimise Ngannou which in turn doesn't make Fury's performance against him look so bad in the eyes of the casual fan.

    Joshua gets a nice wedge, but he is playing his part taking on this fight, and the winner is promised that of Fury v Usyk...

    It's all pretty sly, and I don't like the fact that when considering motives behind moves in boxing it always seems to be the most uncharitable version of actions that appears most likely, but that's boxing for you :lol:
     
    Finkel, Jan 21, 2024
    Finkel, Jan 21, 2024
    #17
    kostya by ko likes this.
  3. Finkel

    Finkel Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Could I ask why you think that is the case?

    Do you base it out of respect for Fury beating Klitschko in 2015? Or his performance in Wilder 2 in 2021?

    I ask because it could be argued that in sporting terms 2021 was quite some time ago, and none of the top contenders are being given the opportunity to stake a claim to be number 1 against. Certainly not in 2023 at least.
     
    Finkel, Jan 21, 2024
    Finkel, Jan 21, 2024
    #18
    kostya by ko likes this.
  4. Sks476

    Sks476 Active Member Full Member

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    I base it on Wlad being number 1 and Fury beating him. Fury's hiatus makes it cloudy but I still see Fury as number 1.
     
    Sks476, Jan 21, 2024
    Sks476, Jan 21, 2024
    #19
    Finkel likes this.
  5. kostya by ko

    kostya by ko Boxing Addict

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    I tend to agree with this perspective. Lineal, Fury can have I guess, but beating Joshua relatively recently twice and 3 belts resonates more in my mind. I'd also be more, inclined to have Zhang above Fury. To me, Fury seems to have chosen a path of least or limited resistance ... spacing out his fights and avoiding higher challenges. He really needs fights against Zhangs/Joshuas/Hrgovics/Bakoles in the last 18 months, as opposed to a recent pro-boxing convert.

    Glad these Saudi cards are sorting this BS out finally. Wilder 2024 is Wilder that lost to Parker. Fury 2024 at this stage isn't Fury 2015. And since that time I've almost been inclined to discount Fury because he ducked the rematch. Usyk rematched and proved it wasn't a case of Joshua having an off night.
     
    kostya by ko, Jan 21, 2024
    kostya by ko, Jan 21, 2024
    #20
    Finkel likes this.
  6. kostya by ko

    kostya by ko Boxing Addict

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    Yeh, I think this could be a paradigm shift in boxing as a sport, so I hope they get it right. The sports-washing thing is pretty sour, but it is what it is, so at least they should do it right. To do so they're going to have to commit to it over years, decades even.

    I think, if this gains momenteum, it'll take some time to take shape. The good thing is it may cut the BS and messing around. Sinking these funds into a brand like this doesn't really correlate with the 'Mickey Mouse clown show' that HW boxing has been in recent years. The first couple of defences might provide some mainstream media traction, which is at they ultimately want IMO.

    The key to it is that this Undisputed belt is contested 3 times a year or twice at least. Letting the title drift for 8 months or a year or more, because of ducking and messing about will hopefully be a thing the past.
     
    kostya by ko, Jan 21, 2024
    kostya by ko, Jan 21, 2024
    #21
    Finkel likes this.
  7. Finkel

    Finkel Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Okay, so now the fight is happening in May.
    Following on from my OP, the fight has yet again been postponed, this time Fury has a cut :duh ... I wonder how many of you are starting to agree with me...

    Next month will be 2 years since Fury defended his WBC title against a mandatory challenger.
    It is now 3 years since the IBF mandatory was allowed to fight for their title. Hrgovic wants the fight. The Saudis quickly said no.

    So, does this Undisputed fight really mean much of anything anymore? Is it just a pure Sports Washing Spectacle that must go ahead, regardless of how it is holding up the division and stalling the careers of all the other contenders? Is it really the best versus the best if they aren't defending against legitimate contenders? Or is it two men that have the financial bag in a death grip, locked into fighting each other, not risking a loss to dangerous contenders?

    Are you even excited for this fight anymore, or do you just want to get it out the way? What does Undisputed mean to you at this point?
     
    Finkel, Feb 8, 2024
    Finkel, Feb 8, 2024
    #22
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