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#normalizeIBOwe need to respect their lives experiences
#allsanctioningbodiesmatter
#normalizeIBOwe need to respect their lives experiences
Sanctioning bodies and spaces#normalizeIBO
#allsanctioningbodiesmatter
the WBO fought hard to get some legit fighters to fight for the belts without any others orgs being involved, i know the WBO titles started to gain recognition in some divisions back in the 90's, like any other title, it all depends on the holder and how they are considered, i think MAB had a lot to do with the WBO becoming one of the big titles to own, but i dont recall the last big fight that was for only a WBO title
The IBO title has been around for as long as the WBO title has. It took 19 years for the latter to be recognized by the three major sanctioning bodies. It's been over 30 years now and the IBO world title is still unrecognized. So no, I don't think it'll become the next major title anytime soon. In saying that, if/when another major world title is recognized by the 4 major sanctioning bodies then it's likely to be the IBO.
I need an excel sheet to keep track of these paperweight belts now
The problem seems to me that the IBO often puts their belt on the shoulders of divisional top dogs, but unlike the WBO, they don't have IBO champions independently establishing credibility on par or above the other belt holders, which is basically how the WBO gained it's legitimacy.
Glad you noted that IBO and WBO were founded the same year.
The only reason why WBO is considered official and IBO isn't is because WBO got in bed with Bob Arum who in turn was in bed with Sky Sports.
In 2006, Sky Sports literally said they recognize WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO and no other belts. (Source: https://www.eurosport.com/boxing/british-news/2005/sky-sports-snub-sees-t._sto851085/story.shtml )
IBO never deserved to be lumped in with the other C and D rate "world" belts.
The fans – the same fans who shit on multiple belts – are happy to be spoonfed by Arum and SKY, or recognize the WBA even when they ruined their own credibility with 3 belts in each division, but they can't stop shit talking the IBO, the only belt that actually maintains its own integrity.
When Lennox Lewis became unified HW champ, he held the IBO belts along with the WBA, WBC, IBF. He did not hold the WBO belt. The IBO should have theoretically become a major belt right then, but politics kept them out.
Its interesting, but i know on the UK back in the early 90's the WBO belt kind of became a thing as the likes of Eubank, Benn and Hamed were fighting for them, as well at world level Barrera being a champion who held a title also, when some of these fighters started to be considered the best at weight, the belt started to gain traction and recognition in some divisions, but not all(i remember Ray Merver winning both the IBO and WBO titles and giving them up as back in the 90s they just didnt hold any weight at all)
I also think its worth mentioning, that when Lewis beat Holyfield, he won the vacant IBO title, not exactly the credentials of an org that has earned its stripes with legit champions defending belts
I think most of them were under Bob Arum, or many were.
If the IBO can link up with a major US or UK promoter in a similar manner. It would help them tremendously.
They have GGG and Joshua though. They seem to love the IBO belt. I think Joshua realizes that Lennox Lewis held the IBO when he was undisputed champ.
The fact that the WBC HW title has been the one evading the unified champ from the main Klitschko brother days to the Joshua days seems to be a wrench in the wheel.
I would like to point the fnger at the WBC as they seem to be the most corrupt org, but with every org now having about 6 belts in each division, they are all as bad as each other these days.