Should World Champions defend their titles at all times ???

Foggy · Post by **Foggy** » 13 Dec 2005, 05:48

Just looking at the weekend fights and on Friday Barrios is fighting a non title fight against someone, i know Barrios is the WBO super-Feather champ, but do you guys think World Champs should have these non-title bouts when they currently hold a major title ???

If you look at guys like Larios and some of the Asian champs they seem to have non-title fights alot.

jeej · Post by **jeej** » 13 Dec 2005, 06:05

Sort of makes you wonder why title holders have non title fights at all. If it is because a non title fight is more lucrative then that some what proves how little titles seem to matter these days.

Ellis Dee · Post by **Ellis Dee** » 13 Dec 2005, 07:43

Sometimes it's out of their hands when the governing body chooses to not sanction the fight....can't really blame the champ for that scenerio.

Interesting question. I think if the fight can be made then it should always to a title defence.

holyfields_ear · Post by **holyfields_ear** » 13 Dec 2005, 08:19

Ellis Dee wrote:Sometimes it's out of their hands when the governing body chooses to not sanction the fight

I can't imagine the WBO refusing to sanction a fight based on the quality of the opponent

having a pulse is normally good enough for them. It might be the fees for sanctioning the fight were just too high to put the belt on the line while making the numbers add up.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Dec 2005, 09:38

It does take a very bad opponent for an organisation not to deem it sanctionable, even Eddie Croft got sanctioned to fight Morales a few years back - and that was a charity bout.

However, I don't blame fighters to have non title tune ups especially if a biggie has been lined up. Why pay the sanctioning fees if it isn't necessary.

I do think though that should an upset happen, then a rematch should be mandated.

I think it actually makes a refreshing change to see champions just have tune ups without so much interest or TV companies says "the title is on the line". I tought both Scott Walker and Darryl Tyson were worthy of fighting for a title when they faced Chavez and DLH (respectively) on the same bill about 10 years back - but they didn't want to jeopordise their big fight and who can blame them.

How Duran's first fight with De Jesus was not for the title though was beyond me.