Undisputed Champion

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In professional boxing, the term Undisputed Champion commonly refers to a boxer that currently holds the (WBC) World Boxing Council world championship, (IBF) International Boxing Federation world championship, and (WBA) World Boxing Association undisputed championship in his weight class. Many fighters today seek not to simply become a champion, but to become the “Undisputed Champion”, as that is the pinnacle of success within the sport.

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[edit] History of the term

The term "Undisputed Champion" came into vogue in boxing circles in the 1970s, when the then two major sanctioning organizations (the WBA and WBC) frequently found themselves recognizing different champions in a weight class. When a boxer captured both titles, he was then said to be "undisputed".

The term became widely used during the 1980s as a number of boxers in various divisions held "undisputed" titles, either briefly or for long periods. With the 1983 debut of the International Boxing Federation and its rapid rise to equal recognition with that of the WBA and WBC, it became more difficult for an undisputed champion to emerge.

[edit] Other World titles

Although dozens of sanctioning bodies exist, the only other "world title" recognized by the three major sanctioning bodies is that of the World Boxing Organization. Although Jermain Taylor continued to be billed as the undisputed champion when he held the WBC, WBA, and WBO titles,[1] it remains to be seen if holding any three of the four major belts will be enough for a fighter to be considered the undisputed champion of his weight class.

[edit] WBA terms

The WBA refers to a champion who holds the WBA title and one other title as the unified champion. A WBA champion who holds two other titles is an undisputed champion. A champion who holds the WBA title and three other major titles is recognized as a super champion.

[edit] In popular culture

This evolution of the term from boxing, has further spread the use into popular culture and the vernacular language to describe when some thing is the best of the best.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20060104140041/http://www.hboppv.com/past_events/poster_archives/taylor_hopkins2/300.jpg
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World boxing champions
Champions by weight class
Champions by organization
WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | IBO | The Ring | Undisputed
Terms
Interim championship | Undisputed championship
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