CheckHook wrote:The idea that Haye wasn't undisputed beacause he didnt' hold every version of the world title at the same time is a big stretch. If that's the critera there really aren't gonna be many undisputed champs over the next 100 years. Haye took out the lineal champ via KO and then unified another belt via KO and held a few alphabets + the ring title. Cunningham was there, but he was just a very ordinary belt holder. Certainly not enough to deny Haye the mantel of undisputed Crusier champ. If you are one of the people who say Haye wasn't undisputed then I wouldn't hold your breath about seeing many undisputed champs in your lifetime.
Its not a idea - IBF title is part of the main mix of belts = its a fact he didnt win the IBF.
We can rule out joking nonsence belts like WBU and WBF and IBA and IBO, etc etc.
But over the years the main established belts have been - WBC / WBA / IBF and more recently WBO
Granted - Haye was the number 1 and the Linear Champ - I would have favored him to beat Cunnigham.
However Haye who claims he wanted to emulate hero Evander Holyfields achievements at Crusierweight then Heavyweight - failed to do what Holyfield did - WBC / WBA / IBF Champion.
Haye won WBC / WBA then opted for a easier fight and won the WBO title - good move - easy money - easy win and picked up another belt.
But legacy wise - a IBF belt would have been more impressive than a WBO belt.
I agree - you dont see many undisputed champions - because its a tough achievement - not only do you have to been a great boxer but you also have to work through the boxing politics to make fights happen
In my lifetime a few undisputed champions come to mind..............
Mike Tyson - WBC / WBA / IBF
Lennox Lewis - WBC / WBA / IBF /
Evander Holyfield - WBC / WBA / IBF @ Heavyweight and Crusierweight
Roy Jones - WBC / WBA / IBF
Joe Calzaghe - (didnt hold them at the same time - but done a clean sweep) = WBC / WBA / IBF / WBO
Bernard Hopkins - WBC / WBA / IBF / WBO
Naseem Hamed - (didnt hold them at the same time - but done a clean sweep) = WBC / IBF / WBO (and beat the reigning WBA Champion without the belt on the line)