Thread: Why all the boxing federations?

I'm sure this is the most hotly debated topic in all of boxing, but I've yet to participate in it, so I'm just throwing this out there...

Why is it that there are so many federations in professional boxing? Why do we need the WBC, WBA, IBF, and countless other boxing organizations? Why can't there be a single 'World Boxing ____" organization, and a single world title in each weight class that signifies the undisputed world champion?

Is it purely political - i.e., the boxing federations simply can't get together and agree on one way of doing things?

I keep hearing my friends talk about how fight companies like UFC, K-1, and Pride are killing boxing. In my opinion, none of those organizations can even touch the history and the class associated with pro-boxing. Those companies aren't killing boxing, BOXING is killing boxing. Fans just can't get their head around four different world heavyweight champions.

Opinions? Perhaps this issue has been debated to no end elsewhere on this forum. If so, could someone point me to the place?

Because money is the root to all evil, and as long as you market your fighter as the champion more people will pay attention, these day's it's so many damn federations that this forum should start it's own, what do you say guy's, who the saddo 140 Ib champ.

i think its better that there are more titles for fighters in the same weight classes. it means there can be unification matches

But if there was one title, then EVERY title match would basically be a unification match.

Gnote you are correct but we are talking Boxing.Ive seen things happen you would not beleive its all about money and politics Promoters and Conmen.

Originally Posted by Gnote

But if there was one title, then EVERY title match would basically be a unification match.

Gnote CC from me on a good topic....It is all about politics and money....It all started when two guy's could not agree on a purse location ect of a title fight....So someone said F$#@% we will create a new one and make our guy the champ......And so on.....At one time all we had was one world champion...and it was when WORLD CHAMPION meant just that WORLD CHAMPION....Now even though they are called world champions they are mearly belt holders who make more money then the guys with the minor titles...This is why most die hard fans and experts acknowledge Ring Magazine still as the one who decides who the world champion is....Their system is not perfect but best one out there

All I know is that it's the one thing about pro boxing that makes me follow it less closely than I do other professional sports. There is no sport that is conceptually as simple as boxing. It is one on one, hand to hand combat. The concept doesn't get any simpler, yet they've convaluted the whole thing with the 'business side' of the sport. Makes me sick.

I wasn't really aware that avid fans put more stock in the Ring Magazine rankings. I guess until the sport gives itself a good makeover I'll start doing the same.

Originally Posted by Gnote

why are so many federations in professional boxing?

Simple - everybody wants a piece of the action

You make a very valid point that boxing is its own worst enemy, what with all these worthless belts doing the rounds now "intergalactic-northern hemisphere-junior-interim middleweight" champion etc etc.

Even the likes of Bob Arum has recently held his hands up and admitted the sport has been badly mismanaged due to financial greed.

I think guys like Arum are now trying to steady the ship to halt the (at least perceived) decline in the sport. Lets hope they are successful.

I wouldnt worry too much about MMA etc, I think both combat sports can exist alongside each other. Despite impressive PPV sales in the US, I dont think MMA will ever match the general popularity that boxing has. Its absolutely nothing popularity-wise in the UK, for example - limited to late night cable shows, and even then it seems more like reality TV. Plus, a lot of MMA fights are dull as hell when it turns into wrestling, and imo at least, it can be an ugly, brutal sport and thus not as attractive to the public at large (I dont mean to diss it, I know some guys like it and this is only my opinion with which a lot of guys will disagree with).

Originally Posted by Bumface

Originally Posted by Gnote

why are so many federations in professional boxing?

Simple - everybody wants a piece of the action

You make a very valid point that boxing is its own worst enemy, what with all these worthless belts doing the rounds now "intergalactic-northern hemisphere-junior-interim middleweight" champion etc etc.

Even the likes of Bob Arum has recently held his hands up and admitted the sport has been badly mismanaged due to financial greed.

I think guys like Arum are now trying to steady the ship to halt the (at least perceived) decline in the sport. Lets hope they are successful.

I wouldnt worry too much about MMA etc, I think both combat sports can exist alongside each other. Despite impressive PPV sales in the US, I dont think MMA will ever match the general popularity that boxing has. Its absolutely nothing popularity-wise in the UK, for example - limited to late night cable shows, and even then it seems more like reality TV. Plus, a lot of MMA fights are dull as hell when it turns into wrestling, and imo at least, it can be an ugly, brutal sport and thus not as attractive to the public at large (I dont mean to diss it, I know some guys like it and this is only my opinion with which a lot of guys will disagree with).

I am going to give you your first CC, and welcome to the site bum.

Originally Posted by Gnote

I'm sure this is the most hotly debated topic in all of boxing, but I've yet to participate in it, so I'm just throwing this out there...

Why is it that there are so many federations in professional boxing? Why do we need the WBC, WBA, IBF, and countless other boxing organizations? Why can't there be a single 'World Boxing ____" organization, and a single world title in each weight class that signifies the undisputed world champion?

Is it purely political - i.e., the boxing federations simply can't get together and agree on one way of doing things?

I keep hearing my friends talk about how fight companies like UFC, K-1, and Pride are killing boxing. In my opinion, none of those organizations can even touch the history and the class associated with pro-boxing. Those companies aren't killing boxing, BOXING is killing boxing. Fans just can't get their head around four different world heavyweight champions.

Opinions? Perhaps this issue has been debated to no end elsewhere on this forum. If so, could someone point me to the place?

money money money money.......money!!!!! It robs us of the best fighters fighting each other....It used to be that the Nabf was the #1 challenger...and it held great prestige....people actually wanted to win it because that was the stepping stone....and the USBA was the #1 contender for the NABF....it gave us great fights....that was the only way you were going to get a shot....then all the different divisions came into play....