Examining the history of the WBA heavyweight title 

I’m an amateur heavyweight, 2-0 & because of you Rummy I’ve been able to do my revision on not only the heavyweight division but the sport in general. When I talk to pro boxers and retired heavyweights like Julius Francis im able to have educated conversations because my knowledge comes from a reputable source. I’m going to be World Champion one day, Tobi Lawal, remember the name. My brothers Mikael Lawal, cruiserweight, fighting for the British title in his next bout. Thanks Rummy!

I always love hearing about your HW knowledge

“ The WBA sucks a little harder and a little louder than the rest” That was a great quote!!!

In 1978 - WBC stripped Leon Spinks from the unified world heavyweight crown (Lineal/WBC/WBA) for not fighting mandatory Ken Norton instead of Mohammad Ali in a rematch. This is the very first time we see the unified crown split apart. Betwen 1978-1980 the Lineal, the WBC and the WBA titles are split. In 1980, Larry Holmes unifies the WBC title and the lineal title after defeated his challenger and former mentor Mohammad Ali = The WBA belt is split away from the WBC title till 1987. In 1983, Larry Holmes is stripped off the WBC title, but remains lineal champion = The WBC title is split away from both the WBA & IBF titles till 1987 and the lineal till 1988. In 1984, Larry Holmes is the inaugural IBF heavyweight champion combined with his lineal title. Now is the lineal/IBF champion. In 1987, Michael Spinks is stripped off the IBF title for not fighting Tony Tucker and instead fought Gerry Cooney, but remains lineal champion = IBF title is split for just short time in 1987. In 1987, the WBC & WBA titles are unified by Mike Tyson by defeating James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Later in 1987, Mike Tyson again unifies his WBA/WBC titles with the IBF title by defeating Tony Tucker = Now a unified WBC/WBA/IBF world heavyweight champion. In 1988, the world heavyweight crown is finally complete for the first time in 10 years (1978-1988) after Mike Tyson defeats Michael Spinks = Lineal/WBC/WBA/IBF world HW champion. In 1992, the unified world heavyweight crown is split apart after Riddick Bowe dumps the WBC title in a trash can and refuse to fight mandatory challenger Lennox Lewis = 2 world champions is now on the scene. The WBO title is there as well but not yet major recognized = The WBC title is split from the lineal title till 1998 and the WBA & IBF belts till 1999. In 1995, the WBA title is stripped off George Foreman, but remains Lineal/IBF champion = The WBA title is split from the IBF title till 1997 and the WBC and lineal titles till 1999. In 1995, George Foreman is stripped off the IBF title for not wanting to rematch Axel Shultz in his home turf of Germany, but remains lineal champion = The IBF title is split from the WBA title till 1997 and the WBC and lineal title till 1999. In 1997, Evander Holyfield unifies the WBA and IBF titles after defeating Michael Moorer in a rematch from 1994. In 1998, Lennox Lewis unifies the WBC title with the lineal title after defeating Shannon Briggs = The world now have 2 champions with Holyfield the WBA & IBF titles and Lewis with the WBC and lineal titles. In 1999, the world heavyweight crown is finally complete for the first time in 7 years (1992-1999) after Lennox Lewis defeats Evander Holyfield = Lineal/WBC/WBA/IBF/IBO world HW champion. In 2000, the unified world heavyweight crown is split apart after Lennox Lewis is stripped off the WBA title for fighting Michael Grant instead of John Ruiz. In 2002, Lennox lewis vacates the IBF title. In 2004, Lennox Lewis retires and the WBC title and lineal title are left vacant = The heavyweight division is totally open with 4 world champions. And as of 2022, Lennox Lewis is the last declared undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Now there are two men's claim to the throne with Tyson Fury, the WBC/lineal champion and Oleksandr Usyk, the WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO champion.

Just another example how Larry Holmes got gypped on his legacy. I'm glad time has corrected that and he now gets the proper historic respect. Larry was underrated for a looooong time.

Brilliant video. Makes me laugh every time you call it the ‘Super Duper’ belt hahahah. You are so right about the WBA though, it is so frustrating seeing top fighters like Tank fighting for the multiple ‘Regular’ titles.

This video made me realize actually how impressive was Ali's first reign as a champ. If you consider, that it took so long to make a Liston rematch, it's even more impressive. Liston's rematch was on 25th May 1965. So if you take that date as his first defense, he made 9 title defenses in less than two years... And he even went to people hometowns/homecountries to beat these guys. What a champ. I remember watching interview with Ali before Zora Folley fight. Howard Cossell saying that maybe Ali is taking Zora too lightly, because he is so confident. And champ responding with "I'm always confident I'll whoop all of them" :D

I have always loved boxing but ... I can't tell you how many times I've mentioned an upcomming heavyweight fight to a friend and I almost always get the same response ... "It's too confusing" As you say Rummy , it's ruined boxing for the general public.

THANKS RUMMY!!!!!!! the lineal is the only belt that matters in Professional Boxing straight up.

Excellent segment brother! No true boxing fan needs ANY of these alphabet organizations to recognize who the REAL heavyweight champion is at any particular time. In any weight division for that matter. These multiple belts are an insult to genuine boxing aficionados.

My favorite “still relatively new” boxing channel on RU-vid!!!!!!!

"Super Dooper" enough said. Good point made Rummy. I think IBF and WBO are ahead only for the fact they do not have super or franchise belts. Get it together boxing!!!

When Ali reigned supreme after first winning the title, this was his peak and I don't think any other boxer in heavyweight history could have beaten him during this period. Just my opinion of course but the WBA wouldn't even accept him as their champ until he beat Terrell??!! Strange!

If only they went back to only the WBA/NYSAC and Ring Magazine titles. Nice video Rummy.

Great coverage, woulda liked if you went into the WBA tournament in the 1960s when Ali was stripped again and how Joe Frazier unified the titles against Jimmy Ellis.

I agree with you completely..........but since the WBC brought out the Franchise champion (along with interim, diamond, silver etc etc) i think that they are actively competing with the WBA to see who can suck harder.

Back in the early 90s James Toney said the WBC stands for We Be Crooks Any suggestions for what the WBA stands for?

Rummy, you beautiful bastard, you've done it again.

Magnificent video my friend, your knowledge is mightily impressive🥊Rummy rocks man 🥊Voice for all of us boxing purists 🥊Don't stop,keep rocking brother 🥊

It’s 4am & a rummy video drop gotta watch it on the spot. Nuffin but respect for an artist

Another great video! The best boxing channel by far!

Love your videos. Keep it up, greetings from Germany

My man Rummy, never fails to deliver! 💪

A brilliant video! Keep them coming.

Rummy how do you always get better with out a let down with your channel? Your the true champion.

I wouldn't say I'm a regular boxing fan, but I do love my sports, and your youtube content in boxing has increased my knowledge and interest in the sport. So many corrupt things going on with boxing, its nice to stay in tune with Rummy's Corner.

Best boxing content on yt.

I always love these videos! My favourite boxing channel by far. It's the "super-duper" champ of boxing channels! 😉

I am a simple man. Rummy uploads a video, I watch it immediately

Always with you my best channel Taiwo watching from Nigeria 🇳🇬 . Happy New Year R.C. I'm the first to comment for you to know I'm following up.

I personally think that currently the WBC franchise issue at lightweight is the most ridiculous

I’d love to have only 1 proper champ

2:49 Ali with some rare body shots, pretty cool.

I LOVE Rummeys corner vids !!!

Another great video and bang on the the money in my opinion. All the best Rummy! 👍🥊🥊🥊

This video is two years old and the WBA title just got realigned with the lineage.

The Super Duper Belt is hilarious :)

beautiful critique. every word you uttered was truthful.

Excellent stuff.

Excellent video, and PERFECTLY stated!

Great video at always

No nonsense, straight to the point. The whole cannoli. A Salud rummy

Excellent video Rummy! Would love to see you cover the other alphabet titles too. Well done!

Great video!! Will you be doing one on the history of the WBC heavyweight title? And the IBF?

1962-67 period Ali was amazing to watch. So fast, strong and powerful. That’s him at his absolute peak.

Can't wait for the WBC video

Let's get the next video on the WBC Rummy. All these belts and french fry status belt. I know you can make a video.

Brilliant, well said!

The moment Ali knocked down Liston he trod on a camera ringside. imagine if that camera man was a few feet to the right. How a freak trip as Ali was backing up could’ve changed the damn course of boxing history

AGREE 100% Why do we need the WBA,WBC, IBF, IBO, WBO etc, etc? Its a joke. Plus don't even get me started on the stupid amount of weight devisions and ridiculous quantity of belts available.

That was a proper tellin' off. Excellent.

Thank you as always

Good for you Rummy, nice video

You summed up boxing perfectly.

Hey rummy I would love to hear your take on a fantasy fight between Chavez sr vs Duran also a Tyson vs Morrison.

the wba has been around for a long time It's so awesome but It's not really working today due to a lot of dumb things happening for the last 3 or 5 years right now.

I am a simple man, i see Rummy posetd a Video, i watch, i like.

I love when Rummy says "The eastern Assassin"

Do another lineal title history please. Welterweight or middleweight would be good next I think

Let's be honest the WBA heavyweight title hasn't meant anything since Ali retired

Perfectly summed up by the master of summing up...

Hey rummy, do you think you can do a brief chronology of the 160 pound division?

I couldn't tell you who the current WBA "regular" champions are if you paid me. The WBA and the WBC made boxing the complicated mess it is nowadays, and they're still seen as the most prestigious belts for whatever reason.

The fact that you have WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and god knows how many other fake, second tier titles proves how corrupt the sport is. Less weight divisions, one belt per weight class is what boxing needs. All this does is create a false economy of champions and robs the fans of seeing the best fighters fight eachother in their primes.

Great job rummy Nailed it Whatever did happen to the USBA Remember that 1Or they make the super fight WBC champ versus The WBA

Thanks Rummy. Usually watch your vids immediately but took a while on this one because I knew it would depress me. Glad you made it though, any effort to bring down the alphabet circus is worth the trouble. Cheers

Waiting on an upload from rummy😌

Hey Rummy Would you do any videos about Olympic boxers from across the ages?

I'd love a video on the lesser alphabet titles like the IBO, WBU and the IBA that have tried to gain legitimacy by latching onto a big name fighter

I love how you stress the importance of the lineage. And yet, most of the boxing fans don't even know why Fury is the real heavyweight champ and was one even without the alphabet belts.

Please do one on the WBC

I laugh out loud every time Rummy says the "super duper title" haha.

I can’t wait for the WBA super duper gold turbo HD edition belt coming in 2030

Point well put Rummy. Well done.

Another banger by rummy

Once again Rummy - Spot On.

The RING magazine belt is the only title that's counts. The alphabet soup belts are so corrupt they make real boxing fans sick.

"Super-Duper Shitshow Nonsense" I want that belt!

Great video Rummy! "The WBA sucks a little louder"! I'm dying laughing!!!!!

I would say the 1970s was the WBA’s “golden age.” The dominant champions had the WBA Belt. Ali, Frazier, foreman at heavyweight. Carlos Monzon had WBA at 160, Antonio Cervantes had it at 140, Victor Galindez at 175. Roberto Duran at 135. Alexis Arguello at 126. It’s interesting to see how far they have fallen, which isn’t saying much about the sanctioning bodies.

I remember a few years ago where the WBA ordered an “Interim-Interim Middleweight Title” contest 😂

Totally agree. Cheers.

to make it that much more ridiculous it would be cool to explain the reasons why the WBA kept stripping people. Because it wasn’t just a question of them not recognizing the fighters as champions. In many occasions the lineal champion did win the WBA title but then got stripped

Thanks rummy

Yet we still follow what they dictate. Who's the Sucker out Loud? Great Vid

Rummy why are you up this late go to bed bro it’s 3:30 am

It's always a good day when Rummy is talking about the back asswards alphabet bodies that have been ruining boxing for decades. Especially one with a super duper pooper scooper belt.

The WBC and WBA alphabets are in essence private family businesses - with ownership passed down from father to son - which if I was Italian - I would describe such practices as 'cosa nostra' - our thing.

So will the WBC and IBF have their own videos???

Thanks Rummy. Thanks for expressing our frustrations.So Well put. And shame to the WBA political cirkus.

It says it all with the following statement “WBA shitshow nonsense “! Thanks Rummy … made my night 😂

Can you do a video of Naseem Hamed or a fantasy match between Mike Tyson and David Tua

Couldn't stop laughing! "Super duper shit show."😂

So in your opinion which is currently the most accurate sanctioning body?

Totally agree with you.

I recently read a comment that the wba was going to eliminate all belts down to a single one. Anyone else got more info?

The Ring belt is the only standard for "champion" in boxing, the man that holds that belt EARNED it by a) fighting top contenders to become a top three fighter themselves and then fighting one of the other members of the divisions top three, or b) by beating The Man that already held the belt in the division. Respect to all the men that held, and hold a Ring belt.

EXCELLENT! Thank you for telling it like it is. It’s been a joke since day one when they stripped Ali.

100% agree. Everyone seems to be a champion, and as always, money talks! There should always be one champion per weight class, but sadly that will never happen again, as greed rules our beloved sport.

I disagree on the notion that Tyson Fury is the heavyweight champ. He is lineal champ, but has a weak claim to being the actual no. 1 heavyweight. He only regained the lineal title by the virtue of good timing, after he lost it when he got banned for steroids