Old Super-Middleweight/Middleweight/Light Middleweight Threads

[killersheep]

I move that Vernon Forrest should be awarded an Honorary title at 154 and hold it until someone else claims the spot.

[X]

Is this how cheap 'world' championships are now ..... that it's as meaningless a bauble as a degree or citation, when we think about just giving one out to someone because he's a nice guy who died too young?

Look at the tragedies that there have been in boxing over the years .... there would be thousands of deserving cases and that would devalue these titles even more than they already are (if that's possible)

A title is supposed to be the culmination of years of training, fighting, pain, disappointment and triumphs. If you win one, you are truly at the top of the game - an international class exponent of the art and the absolute best person, at that weight at that time. You never hold the title long as someone else will always be better one day ..... but for that glorious moment, you are truly on top of the world.

Fighters like Jerry Quarry, Cleveland Williams Zora Folley, Roland LaStarza, Charley Burley amd the like - who never won a world title - would be rolling in their graves.

Nothing against Forrest, but 'No', 'I say No' killersheep 'No

[killersheep]

Is this how cheap 'world' championships are now ..... that it's as meaningless a bauble as a degree or citation, when we think about just giving one out to someone because he's a nice guy who died too young?

Look at the tragedies that there have been in boxing over the years .... there would be thousands of deserving cases and that would devalue these titles even more than they already are (if that's possible)

A title is supposed to be the culmination of years of training, fighting, pain, disappointment and triumphs. If you win one, you are truly at the top of the game - an international class exponent of the art and the absolute best person, at that weight at that time. You never hold the title long as someone else will always be better one day ..... but for that glorious moment, you are truly on top of the world.

Fighters like Jerry Quarry, Cleveland Williams Zora Folley, Roland LaStarza, Charley Burley amd the like - who never won a world title - would be rolling in their graves.

Nothing against Forrest, but 'No', 'I say No' killersheep 'No

You aren't a manager................

[X]

oops, sorry mate ...... I didn't realise it was something else (apologies, I thought you were suggesting he was honoured with a real honorary belt/title)

I voted 'no', so maybe someone can just remove my vote or you can just discount one from the 'no' section?

[DaxxKahn]

I say no....The rankings are hard enough without awarding honorary belts...then it will be a debate on whop to really put in the shoes etc

[Spicoli]

I was thinking we should leave that vacant spot open for a spell regardless?What sort honorary belt ?

[JazMerkin]

I agree with this proposal. It would only be until the ranked #1 fought another top 5 fighter & he would take over. It's not like he was ranked #6, the guy was our #1 & deservedly so & had beaten a top 5 ranks within the last year. I know it's sentimental, but hell if there's a sport more prone to sentimentality I haven't come across it. I think until a fight is made that is worthy of being for the championship, then there is no one more deserving of the honorary championship.

[boozeboxer]

I agree with this proposal. It would only be until the ranked #1 fought another top 5 fighter & he would take over. It's not like he was ranked #6, the guy was our #1 & deservedly so & had beaten a top 5 ranks within the last year. I know it's sentimental, but hell if there's a sport more prone to sentimentality I haven't come across it. I think until a fight is made that is worthy of being for the championship, then there is no one more deserving of the honorary championship.

Yeah this is a good idea.

Disclaimer: I am not a manager and I know nothing about boxing.

[boozeboxer]

I was thinking we should leave that vacant spot open for a spell regardless?What sort honorary belt ?

It doesn't look like you all should have a real champ there anyway?? Why not let him stay there temporarily.

[Spicoli]

I was thinking we should leave that vacant spot open for a spell regardless?What sort honorary belt ?

It doesn't look like you all should have a real champ there anyway?? Why not let him stay there temporarily.

You might have a point about Williams.Its not as if he's defeated anyone of note or substance now that you think about it


Hey Greg....by "leaving that spot vacant" was talking about Vernons rank...and not filling it in a quick vote....sort of a missing man formation in a fly over,out of repect.Leaving him ranked is the same,so yes.Been a long day

[Galaxy]

I vote no. Nothing against Forrest but whats the point of awarding a championship when he never meet our conditions since they were established? We have set in place certain rules & conditions & I think its wise to stick to them. Plus it would look bad for our ratings imo to have a dead man advance through our rankings & become recognized as our champion.

[CFH]

I vote no. Nothing against Forrest but whats the point of awarding a championship when he never meet our conditions since they were established? We have set in place certain rules & conditions & I think its wise to stick to them. Plus it would look bad for our ratings imo to have a dead man advance through our rankings & become recognized as our champion.

I agree 100%.

[X]

I vote no. Nothing against Forrest but whats the point of awarding a championship when he never meet our conditions since they were established? We have set in place certain rules & conditions & I think its wise to stick to them. Plus it would look bad for our ratings imo to have a dead man advance through our rankings & become recognized as our champion.

I dunno ....... it worked for John Ruiz in real life, after all?

[Spicoli]

I vote no. Nothing against Forrest but whats the point of awarding a championship when he never meet our conditions since they were established? We have set in place certain rules & conditions & I think its wise to stick to them. Plus it would look bad for our ratings imo to have a dead man advance through our rankings & become recognized as our champion.

I don't really think its about maintaining the rating as much as it is just giving a guy a salute.When two credible pool members,ranked members get it on and fill out the spot,so be it.We're not talking permanent here.In hindsight and respectfully,I have no problem with Lopez,Vanes,Lattimore waiting a bit and it came off as just a bit rushed Imo.He was a champion,and he was killed.Hopefully we don't need exceptions like this again.Rules are rules...you are correct and 100% right but we have made exceptions on maintaining ranks before.Izzy?

[Galaxy]

I vote no. Nothing against Forrest but whats the point of awarding a championship when he never meet our conditions since they were established? We have set in place certain rules & conditions & I think its wise to stick to them. Plus it would look bad for our ratings imo to have a dead man advance through our rankings & become recognized as our champion.

I don't really think its about maintaining the rating as much as it is just giving a guy a salute.When two credible pool members,ranked members get it on and fill out the spot,so be it.We're not talking permanent here.In hindsight and respectfully,I have no problem with Lopez,Vanes,Lattimore waiting a bit and it came off as just a bit rushed Imo.He was a champion,and he was killed.Hopefully we don't need exceptions like this again.Rules are rules...you are correct and 100% right but we have made exceptions on maintaining ranks before.Izzy?

Give the guy a salute by all means... but there's no need to give him our championship! Sure he was a top fighter & a nice guy but he didn't meet our conditions. I can't see any reasonable reason to have a guy who's passed away included in our ratings! Especially if we want them to be credible... which is the reason I assume we maintain them in the 1st place, or else whats the point?

I know your opinions about filling vacancies but imo it give guys options... if we hadn't voted Antillon in to 10th at 135; Acosta victory would have only earned him a pool entry, where I feel he totally deserved ranking after defeating the highly touted prospect. Plus other places that maintain rankings don't leave positions vacant, if they have a top ten & someone drops out they fill the vacancy with a guy they feel is best by discussion, as we did by votes.

In regards to Vasquez' exception, he was out with a legitimate eye injury & there was the potential for him to return at that weight & we only maintained his ranking, we didn't award him the championship! There's no chance Forrest will return. Our ratings should be about the best current fighters in those divisions & due to tragic circumstances Forrest is no longer included in that group...