by Jonte Rhodes

Created on: August 16, 2010

Currently, there are four main world sanctioning bodies in boxing, namely the IBF, WBO, WBC and WBA. These four sanctioning bodies each have their own versions of the world title at each weight and then minor regional titles, usually one for each continent. Then there are several minor sanctioning bodies each with their own versions of the world titles. On top of that, there are then titles within each country or region that has their own boxing board of control. This is a major problem for several reasons, but mainly simply because it makes boxing hard to follow for long time fans and at times almost impossible to decipher for prospective new fans.

The main problem with having so many belts is that it stops the sport being as accessible to new and even existing fans. When there are sometimes a minimum of four fighters calling themselves the best fighter in any particular division, a fan not familiar to the sport isn't going to know which one of them is actually the best. Similarly often there are two or more fighters of a similar skill level, and so even big fans of the sport don't know who is the best at any one time unless they fight.

The problem of multiple champions not fighting is also another issue. In some cases having more than one champion is a good thing in that some divisions have many talented fighters and showcasing them all requires more than one title to be in operation. This system works when the champions are also willing to fight each other, which lets the fans know who is the best and creates more interest and attention because of the fact that both hold titles. On the other hand though often the various champions will often refuse to fight each other, instead taking easier fights for their entire careers.

Ranking is another issue, and having multiple champion tends to make this not only much harder, but makes the rankings of any one sanctioning body meaningless. For example an up and coming prospect might be in the top five on all four ranking lists, but then wins one of the world titles. Instantly that fighter's name disappears from the ranking lists of the other titles, meaning another fighter joins the list.

Repeat this for all four lists and there are inevitably then several fighters on each list who wouldn't really be good enough to make a combined top ten. This again confuses the fan and allows champions to take easy fights instead of having to face the best competition.

The issue of so many champions has been a long term problem and

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