Why Championship Boxing Isn't What It Used To Be

Sergio Martinez

With over 17 weightclasses and 4 sanctioning bodies awarding world champions in each, there are currently 68 world champions in boxing today.  A champion by definition is one that comes in first place in competition, who has surpassed all rivals. With four world champions per weightclass, do these champions define the true meaning? Are both teams that compete in the Superbowl, world champions? Does the World Cup award more than 1 world champion? The answer to these questions are no. A world champion is a competitor that has beaten the best, to be declared the best. To be champion in any sport it takes dedication, and superior skill and it is a prestigious honor to earn a championship. To declare 4 world champions per weightclass, cheapens the value of the word “champion” in boxing.  

           Let’s take a look at the middleweight division. A very competitive weightclass that has been dominated by Sergio Martinez the past few years. The current middleweight champions are Martinez, Golovkin, Quillen and Barker. All four of these fighters are excellent fighters, but Sergio is recognized as the “real” champion until he retires or is defeated. The most legitimate belt today is The Ring Magazine Belt (original boxing magazine), not the world title, which Sergio holds. The thing is that Ring Magazine is not a sanctioning body, so the Ring Magazine belt is unofficial, but holds the most weight among boxing purists.

There are over 68 world champions in boxing today and only a handful of them are known to boxing fans. Many of these champions haven’t beaten the best in their division. Championship opportunities can come very fast to some, and very long for others. Championship opportunities can come when beating a high profile fighter, or having the right promoter. The ranking systems used by the major sanctioning bodies are very inconsistent, which also questions the validity of a world champion. Being a world champion is not a privilege, but an honor that is earned by a competitor that has proven to be the best in his/her field. The world champion is the undisputed champion and both terms shouldn’t have different meanings!