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Russian boxer Murat Gassiev failed to become the absolute world champion in the first heavyweight division (up to 90.7 kilograms). In the final of the World Boxing Super Series, held in the capital's Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Gassiev lost to Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usik on points 108:120, 109:119, 109:119. To the championship belts according to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the World Boxing Council (WBC), the Ukrainian fighter added the titles of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Association (WBA), which Gassiev still owned.
The opponents, as expected, played the first round cautiously. But already in the second, Usik caught Gassiev with a left blow, but Murat responded with a hard blow to the body. The third round passed with a slight advantage for the Ukrainian, but at the very end of the fourth, to the delight of “Olympic”, Gassiev’s cruel hook took place. Usyk was pulled to the side: fortunately for him, the round ended almost immediately.
On the wave of success, Murat controlled the fifth round, but by the next three minutes Usik had come to his senses and looked quite confident. Subsequent rounds proceeded in approximately the same spirit: the opponents alternately seized the initiative from each other. The Ukrainian threw more punches, Gassiev prepared attacks longer, but missed less. “This one is also a good boxer,” admitted his Ukrainian colleague, who was sitting next to him and non-stop praising Usik.
In the tenth round, the stands finally turned on and began chanting “Iron! Iron!”, Murat’s nickname, which means “iron” in English. And it was just right: by that time Gassiev had missed a huge number of blows. To win, he had to knock out his opponent. This didn't work out. In the end, Usyk mockingly ran away from his opponent, but no offense was taken: as soon as the final gong sounded, the boxers hugged each other tightly.
Professional boxing is one of the ten most popular sports not only in Russia, but throughout the world. However, not everyone knows that, in addition to world champions, there are also absolute world champions in boxing.
Who are these people? Why is it extremely difficult to get this title in modern sports? How did it happen that there are several boxing organizations in the world that have the right to call different people world champions? How does the disunity of the boxing community affect the development of the sport? The answers to these questions can be obtained by reading the article.
What is a rating in professional boxing and why is it needed?
In professional boxing, an integral attribute of a world champion is a championship belt. There is no championship system here, as is the case in other sports. The right to own the belt is given to the leader of the rating or the boxer who defeats the champion. In order to gain the right to challenge the champion and win the trophy, it is necessary to achieve a high rating, which occurs thanks to victories won over other athletes of the boxing organization.
The origins of world boxing organizations
In 1920, the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) appeared in the United States - the world's first boxing association with the right to sanction world-class fights. A year later, the National Boxing Association (NBA) was created in the state of Rhode Island, also claiming to be a coordinator in world boxing. Thus, already in the 20s of the last century, the world champion title could be won according to one of the organizations - NYSAC or NBA. The concept of absolute world champion in boxing was not yet used at that time, since organizations recognized one fighter as the world champion.
Meanwhile, boxing was developing rapidly. The Second World War has ended. There was a sharp leap in the development of television. It became possible to broadcast boxing matches throughout the country. The black population of the United States, who were gradually winning back their civil rights, was of great interest in this martial art. As one of the greatest boxers of all time, Muhammad Ali, later put it: “Boxing for a black guy is one of the best ways to achieve something in life.” Gyms opened all over the country, thousands of parents sent their children to this sport.
Split between WBA and WBC
In the wake of the popularization of boxing, the expanded NBA was renamed the World Boxing Association (WBA) in 1962. It would seem that a single association of professional boxers has appeared in the world, but the situation turned out differently.
Increasingly, the WBA was accused of bias, rigging sports matches and choosing insufficiently strong opponents for the reigning champions. Many were not happy with the current situation. In the wake of discontent, a new organization was formed in 1963 - the World Boxing Council (WBC). The creation of a new community was supported by 11 countries led by the United States. These organizations - WBA and WBC - are now considered the most authoritative and respected in the world. At the same time, the gap between them is gradually widening.
Widening gap between WBA and WBC
One of the precedents that strengthened the split between the World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Council was the event that happened to the great Muhammad Ali. Having won the world title in a fight on February 25, 1964, Ali refused a rematch. Such an act was regarded by the WBA as a violation of the current rules, for which the legendary boxer lost recognition of this community as a world champion. However, the WBC continued to consider Mohammed the champion. Shortly after this incident, NYSAC joined the World Boxing Council.
By the end of the 1960s, the term absolute world boxing champion came into use. In order to win the title, athletes had to hold a so-called unification fight, in which only champions with belts from their boxing organizations could participate.
The emergence of the IBF and WBO
In 1983, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) was created, which included the boxing community not involved in existing organizations. From that moment on, the absolute champion was the fighter who collected 3 belts.
The last body recognized by the world in 2007 was the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Since 2007, the list of absolute world boxing champions can only be completed by a fighter who has collected championship belts from all 4 world boxing organizations.
Absolute world champions according to WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO
Since 2007, only 4 athletes have won the right to be called the absolute world champion in boxing.
In the middle weight category, the Americans and Jermaine Taylor, as well as the undefeated to date from Kazakhstan, became the absolute professional boxing champions. In the first welterweight category, all four championship belts were won by American Terence Crawford.
As a result, the title of absolute world champion in boxing among professionals is the result of the fragmentation of the main boxing organizations. At the same time, the split in the world boxing community has a bad effect on the development of this sport.
Unification fights for the title of absolute champion are not in the interests of many leading boxers. The leaders of the world rankings prefer to calmly defend their belts and receive decent money for their title. Many say that professional boxing is corroded by corruption, and that “whipping boys” are often selected for champions.
Only the unification of the entire world boxing community into one organization, as happened in other sports, can change the situation. Considering that there are prerequisites for unification, perhaps such an event will happen.
Alexey Frolov
In the sports news feed we always come across the phrases “World Champion according to WBC”, “holder of the IBF championship belt”, but to people who are not associated with boxing, these foreign abbreviations mean little. How does the WBO Champion differ from the WBA Champion? And those for whom this has not been a secret for a long time can learn something new from the history of their beloved federation.
IBF
IBF- abbreviation for "International Boxing Federation", which translated into Russian means “International Boxing Federation”. The youngest of the currently existing federations. It was formed in 1983 in order to bring together in one ring boxers from different parts of the planet who, for one reason or another, did not find a place in other organizations.
To date, more than 90 IBF Champions are officially recognized by veteran federations. The IBF is known as the most cohesive and formalized organization, it maintains clear rankings and has a well-thought-out tournament system. Mandatory defenses of championship titles are held annually (which is not true for all federations).
Today, the most famous IBF boxers are the undefeated heavyweight champion from Britain Anthony Joshua and Kazakh professional Gennady Golovkin, who also holds championship titles from three other federations. It is also fair to note the current champion of the first heavy division, Russian Murata Gassieva, and welterweight champions Sergei Lipinets (Ukraine) and Errol Spence Jr. (USA).
WBO
WBO- abbreviation for World Boxing Organization, which translates to "World Boxing Organization". It emerged in the 1980s in Puerto Rico, and in the 90s it began to be listed in Europe, but still remained secondary on the world stage. It was only between 2004 and 2007 that the WBA, WBC and IBF consistently recognized the WBO as an international federation.
Manny Pacquiao and Wladimir Klitschko brought real fame and weight to the WBO on the world stage. The organization has unique titles, for example, “super champion” (currently Tyson Fury), “new champion” (Alexander Usik), “boxer of the decade” (Manny Pacquiao).
Among the most rated WBO fighters are New Zealander Joseph Parker (heavyweight champion), Ukrainian Alexander Usik (first heavyweight), Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto (first middleweight) and Australian Jeff Horn (welterweight).
WBC
WBC- abbreviation for World Boxing Council, which translates to "World Boxing Council". The second oldest world boxing organization, founded by representatives of eleven countries in 1963. At various times, champions of the federation were such legendary athletes as Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr., Konstantin Dzyu, Bermane Stiverne.
The organization also has its own unique belts. For example, a “special belt” was made for the Mayweather-McGregor fight, the belt was called “WBC Money Belt”. There are also silver (name) belts and diamond championship belts. The current holders of WBC diamond belts are Floyd Mayweather Jr., Alexander Kovalev, Saul Alvarez and other famous boxers.
The most prominent names among the current WBC champions are: Deontay Wilder(heavyweight), Alexander Usik (first heavyweight), Adonis Stevenson (light heavyweight), Gennady Golovkin (welterweight).
W.B.A.
W.B.A.- abbreviation for World Boxing Association, which translated into Russian means “World Boxing Association”. The oldest professional boxing organization. Established in 1921 as the American National Boxing Association. It acquired its current “name” in 1962.
Officially, the WBA Champions are the strongest athletes on the planet, representing 17 weight divisions. Among the four boxing federations of paramount importance, the WBA traditionally occupies a leading position, as a true veteran who laid the foundations of the modern competitive system.
In addition to the title of “regular champion” (analogous to “champion” in other organizations), the WBA awards the super champion and undisputed champion belts. For example, in the first heavyweight division the super champion is now a Russian Denis Lebedev, and the regular champion is Yunier Dorticos.
Famous Russian boxer Dmitry Bivol is the holder of the regular light heavyweight title, the undisputed champion title in this division is now vacant. The current super middleweight champion is Gennady Golovkin.
Minor level boxing organizations are IBO (International Boxing Organization) And IBA (International Boxing Association). This also includes the publication The Ring, which issues its own championship title under special conditions.
The Ring has a unique belt, it is awarded to the best fighter regardless of weight divisions. At the moment this belt belongs to Gennady Golovkin.
One of the most valuable attributes of the inheritance did not remain ownerless for long. The controversial British boxer in October voluntarily renounced his WBA, WBO and IBO championship belts due to the inability to defend them in a rematch with Ukrainian Vladimir due to severe depression and drug problems. Even earlier, in September, Fury was caught using cocaine and would probably still have lost his regalia, but by “violent means.”
As a result, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title declared vacant was decided to be put on the line for a fight between the official contenders - the first number in the linear rating, 24-year-old New Zealander Joseph and 27-year-old Mexican.
This fighter was only third on the list, but Klitschko, who is in second position, is now officially injured and recently abandoned the championship fight for the IBF belt with the Briton.
Interest in the confrontation between not yet the most popular boxers was fueled by their clean records. Before the head-to-head meeting, both Parker and Ruiz had never experienced defeat in the pros. The sides' chances seemed approximately equal. Yes, the New Zealander performed at home, but the Mexican brought with him powerful support in the person of the authoritative promoter Bob, who recently celebrated his 85th birthday, and coach Abel Sanchez. Last week, the specialist led to victories in Moscow and clearly intended to build on the success.
Parker, despite being born in Auckland, New Zealand, is of Samoan descent with a small admixture of English and German blood. Actually, he entered the ring under the Samoan flag, and surrounded by an elderly man in an aboriginal outfit (or rather, without an outfit above the waist). In the recent past, a native of this island state has already thundered in the heavyweight division - knockout artist David Tua, who represented Australia at competitions.
When announcing the championship fight, Arum stated that the winner will dominate the category for a long time. The powerful old man, of course, was lying. So far, both look damp and are unlikely to be able to beat Joshua, Fury or, for example, .
At the weigh-in, Parker showed the highest result of his career - 111.9 kg (with a height of 193 kg). For comparison, before the previous fight against the German-Ukrainian Alexander Dmitrenko in October, he pulled 109 kg, and in the summer - 106.4.
Under the 188-centimeter Ruiz, the scales showed 116 kg, which, in principle, is normal for him: sometimes the Mexican’s weight exceeded 120. This boxer is frankly overweight, but such is the constitution of his body.
In the debut, Ruiz acted clearly as the first number, moving forward. As subsequent events showed, this challenger relied on the beginning of the meeting, trying to stun the enemy with an unexpected blow. Parker, on the contrary, did not force it and worked extremely carefully. He had nowhere to rush. And he didn’t seem to really count on a knockout.
In the second round, the ring owner hit the body well for the first time. The Mexican looked at the head for a long time and predatorily, then took a decent hit to the chin from below. He is slow, a walker - but with reactive hands, very confident and knows what to do. Ruiz then took out Parker one more time. It didn’t exactly shake him, but he felt the blows.
In the third round, Ruiz finally figured out the New Zealander’s weak point and began to aim only there, sometimes distracting attention with routine work on the body. After each attack to the head, Parker staggered strangely.
Ruiz tested Parker's jaw one more time in the fourth round. He walked forward like a tank. You can’t move someone like a Mexican from his place, and you shouldn’t even think about dropping him.
In general, the middle of the battle was quite spectacular. In the fifth round, Parker finally felt that boxing at close range was out of his hands - both literally and figuratively. He went to the far side and immediately started landing with a jab. Ruiz, on the contrary, stopped harassing his opponent.
In the sixth round, Parker finally realized his superiority in anthropometric data. And when Ruiz broke through to him, he used “minor foul tactics,” that is, he clinch, to which American referee Tony Weeks completely turned a blind eye. By the way, he and Parker are neighbors in Las Vegas.
In the next three minutes, Ruiz knocked Parker on the ears.
In the eighth round, the Mexican increasingly occupied the center of the ring, while the New Zealander preferred to move around the perimeter. One day the boxers exchanged shots, struck six times each and stopped there.
Then the intensity dropped noticeably. The opponents were tired or took a wait-and-see attitude.
In the tenth the action completely calmed down, although it is in the championship rounds that it is customary to work as actively as possible. Side judges often formulate their picture of a fight based on the ending. Alas, the endgame as a whole was disappointing. Ruiz's hands had already become heavy, and his movements were very slow. During this period, the opponents waited more for the final gong than they thought about attacks. But the beginning of the “game” was so promising...
In this more or less equal battle, the victory was awarded to a local athlete. Filipino Salven Lagumbay recorded a draw, while Argentinean Ramon Cerdan and German Ingo Barrabas saw Parker's minimal advantage. He won for the 22nd time in a row, and Ruiz lost after a streak of 29 successful fights.
At the same time, the boxing community once again did not agree with the judge’s decision. According to the majority, a draw or even a victory for the Mexican would have reflected more objectively what was happening in the ring.
Hot pursuit experts have not yet found any arguments in favor of Parker. Well, if so, Ruiz can be called another victim of “home refereeing,” of which there were more than ever this fall.
The WBO heavyweight championship belt, up for grabs since 1989 and held at various times by such world boxing superstars as Michael Moorer, Riddick Bowie, Klitschko Jr. and Fury, went to a boxer whose most dangerous opponent in his career to date was Cameroonian Carlos Takam ...
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