When was the first time a champion got stripped for refusing to fight someone?

which weight class?

 

I'm going to say Salvatore Burruni in the mid '60s. He lost to Accavallo and Takayama in non-titles but did not defend his crown against them. I think he fought Rocky Gattelari instead. The WBA then matched up Accavallo and Takayama for their title.

Scartissue

 

I should mention also this started the wave of stripping a fighter as the WBA and WBC were now coming to the fore. It wasn't long after this that Laguna was threatened with being stripped. The Burruni thing was just the cork out of the bottle.

Scartissue

 

The NY Commission tried to do so in the 1920s and 30s I believe, even against heavyweight champions such as Schmeling and Braddock - but the press kind of ignored their efforts.

I know Charley Phil ********* was forced to give up the bantamweight title by the commission in the 1920s because he couldn't make the weight.

 

Hmm...I do recall BTM refusing to face Native American #1 contender "Irish" Bob Bigthorn stating "The dancing for rain business is pure malarkey. This is for the most prized title in all of sports. I shan't invite hoodoo into the ring with that on the line and that's the end of it. In my younger days, without such civic-mindedness and responsibility, I do suppose I'd have thrashed him so that he'd be incapable of wearing his gay headdress, say I! However, my fine, mature, civilized gentleman's stache hairs shan't tickle this heathen's hairless face in a clinch and this is the end of discussion."

 

I think he could have, but let's face it, with 2 organizations back then looking for their fees, they were starting to see how lucarative it would be to have their own champion. So, even if Burruni would have defended against either of the two leading contenders, someone would have found a reason to strip him of the title as they eventually did with all the weight classes even if the reason was trivial. One of the most despicable reasons was what the WBC did to Ken Buchanan. He fulfilled a contract that Laguna left out there in order to keep all parties happy and then agrees to fight Pedro Carrasco, the WBC's #1 contender. However Carrasco claimed he could no longer make the weight and would be henceforth fighting as a Jr. Welterweight. So, Buchanan signs to fight Laguna in a rematch. With the contract signed Carrasco comes out of the woodwork and says he can make 135 afterall. The WBC insists he honor the original agreement. Buchanan already has a valid contract to fight Laguna and the WBC, instead of comprimising, strips Buchanan and schedules Mando Ramos against Pedro carrasco for the vacant title. It was never about the betterment of boxing, it was always self-serving and money.

Scartissue

 

recent years Holmes who refused to fight Page and then Bowe who refused to fight Lewis I was just reminded of a few others with this subject but years ago you had to fight your number 1 or be stripped

 

Alan Rudkin told me this the other week, this is the right answer!

 

in jan of 1931, the nysac stripped max schmeling of their heavyweight title for not having an immediate rematch with jack sharkey. schmeling was still considered champ by the nba and the ring but this is probably the first time a champion was stripped.