Comments Thread For: Freak on a Leash: When do you let Moses Itauma go?

[Willow The Wisp]

Good article. Much to enjoy here. Elliot is a fine reporter. From an historian's perspective, one does cringe just a little bit when faced with the misnomer that Mike Tyson had ever become the "youngest heavyweight champion of all time at the age of 20", as this is not accurate. He, at 20, became a Beltholder or Title Claimant at that age by virtue of his defeat of fellow contender Trevor Berbick, on 11-22-1986. This, however, does not constitute his becoming THE World Heavyweight Champion; which Iron Mike did not achieve until he lifted that title from Michael Spinks on 06-27-1988; three days before his 22nd birthday. Thus, the youngest Heavyweight champion distinction still belongs to Floyd Patterson, who beat Archie Moore in the final bout of the elimination process after the clean retirement of Rocky Marciano, on 11-30-1956, to became the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in history, at the age of 21 years, 10 months, 3 weeks and 5 days. Period.

Should we, as Boxing writers, continue to perpetuate the myth of confusing the Heavyweight championship with beltholders, in three years we may face the condition of the World rankings looking rather like this:


Heavyweight International Ratings
May 2028

Champion: Not Important

1. Moses Itauma, 23
World Boxing Council Champion
2. Vladyslav Sirenko, 33
Saudi General Entertainment Authority Champion
3. Lenier Pero, 35
World Boxing Association Champion
4. Agit Kabayel, 35
Universal Boxing Federation Champion
5. Richard Torrez Jr, 28
World Boxing Federation Champion
6. Bakhodir Jalolov, 33
Ring Magazine World Champion
7. Fabio Wardley, 33
International Boxing Association Champion
8. Willy Kyakonye, 33
International Boxing Federation Champion
9. Joseph Parker, 36
Professional Boxing Association Champion
10. Justis Huni, 29
International Boxing Council Champion
11. Lawrence Okolie, 35
World Boxing Organization Champion
12. Daniel Dubois, 30
World Boxing Union Champion
13. Efe Ajagba, 34
Global Boxing League Champion
14. Alexis Barriere, 32
Professional Boxing Association Champion
15. Seun Salami, 31
World Boxing Foundation Champion




In addition, my critique must also include mention that the pronouncement that "the heavyweight division (is today) shallower than ever" is wholly inaccurate; and for history's sake, I am compelled to add that today's division is, in fact, better than the one through which Mike Tyson emerged in 1986.

[CPNUTKnockoutFreshMart]

Willow The Wisp , Excellent comment , I give it a standing ovation.

[Willow The Wisp]

Willow The Wisp , Excellent comment , I give it a standing ovation.

Thank you! I appreciate that.

[Boxing2695]

That is really weird how Jalolov after two Olympic gold medals and a bunch of professional fights is still not fighting anyone with a pulse. What are they waiting for?

I think it's more who wants to fight him? Because he's already so good but yet doesn't bring much in terms of money and attention so alot of top guys will see him as a who needs him. But I do agree the level opposition he's fought so far has been pretty poor and could be better