Antonio Tarver and Glencoffe Johnson each set a fine example this week by turning their backs on the alphabet title belts which have made a mockery of their sport.
The world’s two leading light-heavyweights had had enough of the politics which were on the verge of wrecking their mooted December world title showdown.
So this week Tarver and Johnson dumped their respective WBC and IBF belts in the trash can and will clash on December 18 simply for universal recognition as the only 175lb world champion who matters.
If only more top fighters would take heed of an example originally set by Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in 2002 then world boxing would enjoy an immeasurably healthier outlook.
Barrera refused any featherweight gongs on offer and instead engaged in unsanctioned contests with Johnny Tapia, Kevin Kelley and Manny Pacquiao in which the prize of being the best nine-stone fighter in the world was enough.
Lennox Lewis missed an almighty chance to lead the way after finally annexing the undisputed world heavyweight crown in 1999.
Instead he spent much of his final years paying lawyers to fight to cling on to meaningless alphabet-owned sections of his title in court rooms across the world.
Lewis was of course pressured into his actions by those television networks whose all-important requirement for the winner to have a title to hold up at the end is causing boxing untold damage.
Any title will do – IBO, WBF, WBU – you name it, as long as their belt is shiny enough it will do. It is leading too many promising fighters down dead-end avenues and stifling the careers of others who cling onto their cardboard crowns instead of pursuing real riches elsewhere.
The actions of Tarver and Johnson were especially poignant in a week which will end with any number of mauls at Madison Square Garden in the name of the world heavyweight title.
Chris Byrd defends his IBF belt against Jameel McCline before a contest which heaps untold shame upon the WBA and just shows the lack of esteem in which that organisation holds the so-called richest prize in sport.
John Ruiz – a two-time world heavyweight champion don’t forget, after losing it to light-heavy Roy Jones then being handed it back – meets Andrew Golota (qualifications: car-crash career and one dodgy verdict against Chris Byrd).
To shore up an event going by the name ‘Battle of Supremacy’, former legitimate champions Evander Holyfield and Hasim Rahman will continue to rumble away on the undercard.
Tarver and Johnson have at least provided a small bright spot to a scenario which has likely left Rocky, Jack, Joe and co spinning in their graves.
