Introduction
Boxing has a rich history of champions, titles, and rankings. One term that often comes up in discussions about boxing is ‘undisputed.’ But what does it really mean in the world of boxing?
Understanding Undisputed in Boxing
In boxing, being undisputed means holding all of the major championship belts in a specific weight class. These belts include the WBA (World Boxing Association), WBC (World Boxing Council), IBF (International Boxing Federation), and WBO (World Boxing Organization) titles.
Examples of Undisputed Champions
One of the most famous examples of an undisputed champion in recent years is Anthony Joshua, who held all four major belts in the heavyweight division. Another example is Terence Crawford, who was the undisputed champion in the welterweight division.
Case Studies
- Mike Tyson: Tyson was the undisputed heavyweight champion in the late 1980s, holding all three major titles at the time (WBA, WBC, and IBF).
- Lennox Lewis: Lewis became undisputed in 1999 by defeating Evander Holyfield to unify the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles.
- Clarissa Shields: Shields is a two-time undisputed champion in the middleweight and light middleweight divisions, holding all four major belts in each weight class.
Statistics on Undisputed Champions
Since the formation of the four major sanctioning bodies in boxing, there have been a total of 13 undisputed champions across various weight classes. The heavyweight division has seen the most undisputed champions, followed by the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
Conclusion
Being undisputed in boxing is a significant achievement that requires a fighter to defeat all of the top contenders in their weight class and unify all of the major championship belts. It not only solidifies their status as the best in their division but also cements their legacy in the sport.
