Boxing

 

Why the super-middleweight title needs to be unified

By Murali Para

27.08 - One of the most salient differences between the title fights we see today and those of yesteryear is that, while it was not at all unusual to have only one champion per division in the 50s and 60s, the weight classes today are cluttered with the numerous 'world champions' favoured by each of the various sanctioning bodies. Far from increasing the number of meaningful world titles contested, the 'alphabet boys' have given rise to a situation where we, the fans, very often do not see the best boxers at a given weight fight one another and, therefore, are deprived of the most competitive match-ups available.

Of course, it is still possible for a champion to be undisputed, in terms of holding the 3 most prestigious belts (WBC, WBA and IBF). Tszyu became the undisputed light-welterweight king last November with a 2-round demolition of Zab Judah. Similarly, Hopkins unified the middleweight title for the first time since Hagler by soundly beating Trinidad in their clash in September 2001. Both these fighters, as undisputed champions, lend credibility to the sanctioning bodies and give meaning to the notion of being a world champion. Similar credit is due to Roy Jones, who holds 4 lesser titles as well as the 3 most recognised belts at light-heavyweight. Champions like Tszyu, Hopkins and Jones are very good for the sport of boxing.

Unfortunately, the major players in a given division are often unwilling or unable to meet one another. This is without doubt the case in the current super-middleweight division, where there has not been a single match-up between the following 4 major titlists, 2 of whom remain undefeated: Eric Lucas (WBC), Byron Mitchell (WBA), Sven Ottke (IBF) and Joe Calzaghe (WBO). Indeed, only one of these champions - Eric Lucas - has faced top contender Antwun Echols,
drawing with him in 1996. Whether this is because the fighters in question are reluctant to risk defeat, to travel to foreign shores, or to take the short end of a purse I do not know. All I know is that this state of affairs is to the detriment of the champions, the fans and boxing in general.

The super-middleweight division is by no means one of the strongest at present. Joe Calzaghe remains at the head of the class in my eyes, and he will do so until there is evidence to the contrary. Like Calzaghe, the 35-year-old Sven Ottke still boasts an undefeated record, and has narrowly beaten Charles Brewer twice. Canadian Eric Lucas is a tough boxer who showed an abundance of heart to last 12 rounds with Roy Jones. And finally, there is Byron Mitchell, who has a good resume in spite of being dropped twice in the 1st round of his last fight against Julio Cesar Green.

It seems absurd that Calzaghe should fight a Miguel Jimenez and Ottke should fight a Joe Gatti, when there are many more competitive fights to be made between the 4 titlists and Antwun Echols. What is most disappointing is the lack of ambition and desire. It is not even the fact of unifying the titles that is the main issue here. Rather it is the will to take on the best competition available. Barrera holds no belt at featherweight, yet there are few who would not rate him as the best fighter in his division on the basis of the fights he has taken and won.

Many fight fans will have smiled wryly at Frank Warren's recent idea for a 'tournament' consisting of
Jones-Simon and Hopkins-Calzaghe, with the winners squaring off. Jones-Simon would seem to be something of a mismatch! Of course, a tournament between Calzaghe, Ottke, Lucas, Mitchell and Echols would provide fascinating match-ups. But it would appear that factors like home territory advantage, purse splits and the fear of losing will prevent this from happening. This is a great shame, as I do not think this is what boxing should be about. At least we have fighters like Jones, Hopkins and Tszyu who are prepared to go the extra mile and prove that they are truly worthy of the mantle 'world champion'

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