By Geoffrey Ciani – 06/03/2024 – Comment
Lineal World Heavyweight Championship – from John L Sullivan to Oleksandr Usyk!
Oleksandr Usyk made boxing history with his latest victory against Tyson Fury. With the win Usyk became the first undefeated World heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis last held that distinction nearly four years ago (back in April 2000).
The win also marked Usyk as the first undefeated heavyweight champion in the modern 4-belt era. Usyk also became the second boxer in history to become the undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, joining an exclusive club that includes Evander Holyfield. But perhaps more importantly, the victory earned Usyk a rightful claim to the heavyweight championship lineal, which dates back to John L Sullivan back in the 1880s.
In boxing today we have 4 major world titles, and this complicates the sport with politics and a multitude of title holders making following the competition much more difficult than it should be. That is why the concept behind the heroics of the line, man beating man, is still relevant to this day. Oleksandr Usyk is currently the undisputed lineal heavyweight champion of the world, holds a claim to all 4 major alphabet belts, and most importantly has a valid claim to the pedigree. Alphabet's bodies may ruin their undisputed portion, as the IBF is already a fraud, but Usyk will continue to be the world heavyweight champion until someone beats him, or until he retires and never comes back. Until either of those things happen, Oleksandr will remain the true lineal world heavyweight champion.
This edition of Rummy's Corner will provide a complete chronology of world heavyweight champions from John L Sullivan to Oleksandr Usyk, while examining established history to create a new lineage whenever a break occurs or whenever a heavyweight champion retires holding the title. . Please watch and enjoy the video for one man's perspective. This is Rummy's Corner (produced and narrated by Geoffrey Ciani).
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