Why are there so many champions in boxing?

Dear readers, if you've ever wondered why there are so many "World Champions" in the same category in modern boxing, you've come to the right place. Today, we'll explore the chaos of belts: a story steeped in sport, politics, and, of course, a lot of money.

1. The Origin

In the early 1900s, boxing was a simple affair. There were two main organizations in the United States: the NYSAC (New York State Athletic Commission) and the NBA (National Boxing Association).

·        The NYSAC: It ran New York. Madison Square Garden being the "Mecca of Boxing," whoever won there was king of the world.

·        The NBA (founded in 1921): It brought together the committees of almost every other American state. It was "strength in numbers."

Despite their rivalries, the two acronyms almost always tried to recognize the same champion. It was the era of the Lineal Champion : to become the best, you had to beat the best. Period.

2. The Chaos

Everything changed between the 1950s and 1960s. Boxing became a global business, and power fragmented. If a champion didn't respect a contract or a team's regulations, he was stripped of his title. Thus began the era of paradoxes: the NBA recognized one champion, the NYSAC another. The crown was broken.

3. The Birth of the "Big Four"

From the ashes of the old system arose the four powers that govern today:

·        WBA (World Boxing Association) - 1962: Evolution of the old NBA. It is the oldest and aimed at a world monopoly, but today it is often criticized for creating too many secondary titles.

·        WBC (World Boxing Council) - 1963: Founded as an international response to American dominance. Thanks to the support of Mexico and the epic feat of Muhammad Ali , its green belt is now the most iconic in the world.

·        IBF (International Boxing Federation) - 1983: Born from an internal split within the WBA led by Bob Lee. It gained immediate prestige when Larry Holmes chose to defend their title.

·        WBO (World Boxing Organization) - 1988: Created by Caribbean entrepreneurs. Initially considered a minor organization, it achieved "elite" status thanks to champions like De La Hoya and the Klitschko brothers.

4. Hierarchy of Champions: Who Really Matters?

To keep your bearings, here's how to distinguish the champions today:

·        World Champion: Holds the belt of a single theme song.

·        Unified Champion: Holds 2 or 3 of the major belts.

·        Undisputed Champion: The true king. He who simultaneously holds the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles.

5. Beyond the Border: The Other Belts

The panorama is completed by other acronyms that deserve a mention:

·        IBO: The "fifth sister." It's not part of the elite club, but it's respected because it uses an impartial computer ranking system.

·        The Ring Magazine: It's not an acronym, but a historical magazine. Its belt rewards pure merit (the Lineal Champion) and, for purists, is worth more than any other.

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EBU (European Boxing Union): Based in Rome, it is the queen of Europe. Winning the EBU blue belt is a must for any European boxer aspiring to challenge the world's giants.

From the Erkules team, see you next time.