Defending only 'The ring' belt, does it still count?

[TyBuff]

The only way to become the Ring Champ is to beat the ring champ. IF a title is vacant the #1 and #2 must fight to determine the true champion. THe Ring Champion is usually the same as the linieal champ.

They have changed it to where the 3rd rated contender can fight the #1 contender for it, either way the #1 has to fight the #2 or 3 for a vacant title or you have to beat the fighter that holds the belt or move weight classes.

Isn't the Ring title elected? I was under the impression that there is a board that elects who the champion of each division is.

I dont know about in the past but I know now that they do not do that. If you ever look at the rankings a lot of the lower weight classes dont have a champion, due to that fact the #1 contender hasnt fought the #2 or 3 contender.

Was only untill calzaghe beat lacy that the ring had a champion at SMw for the first time ever, so u do have to fight a certain ranked fighter to get it

To become the Ring champ you have to beat the Ring Champ. Or if the title is vacant face the 1 or 2 ranked contender. And to hold on to the belt you have to face the 1 or 2 ranked challenger within a certain timeframe.

This is the link to the Rings ratings and championship policy:
http://www.thering-online.com/ringpages/ratings2.html

This is what it says:

Fighters recognized as champions by The Ring are rated at the top of their division, with the top 10 contenders listed below.

Championship vacancies can be filled by winning a box-off between The Ring’s number-one and number-two contenders, or, in certain instances, a box-off between our number-one and number-three contenders.

The only three occasions when a fighter will lose his championship status are when he retires, moves to another weight division, or is defeated in a championship bout.

The Ring Ratings are compiled by the magazine’s editorial board, with the participation of The Ring Ratings Panel of boxing journalists from around the world. Click here for a complete panelist listing.

So do I understand correctly that the panel votes on the rankings 1-10 (not including the champ)?

Appears to be that way, the only difference is that they dont say that you have to fight so and so to keep their belt. Once you get it you fight whomever you please. I believe they do the top ten lists so incase the belt becomse vacant they already have fighters in place, instead of scrambling around to come up with a list at the last minute.