If you own only the ring belt, does that count as a title defense in the same way the WBC, BA BO and IBF? not just from a fans point of view but official record wise?

Like Joe louis is has the most title defenses of 25, if say a fighter, i dunno defended the wbc or ibf what ever, 23 times, but was forced to make pointless mandatories so vacated and only held the ring belt, made 3 more title defenses (26) would that count? would he then be known as the fighter who made the most defenses?