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?