Interim?

[Gnome]

Can someone help me with a (admittedly rather pointless)?

In September last year, Mark de Mori defended his WBU heavyweight championship belt against Marino Goles.

In November of that year, the giant Zhang Junlong from China defeated Jason Gavern in three rounds for the interim WBU championship.

On May 9th, de Mori will fight against the ever-popular TBA to defend the WBU belt.

WTF is happening here. Why did Zhang fight for an interim belt? What is an interim belt?

[Gnome]

This is the new, German version of the WBU belt by the way - not the slightly more prestigious belt worn by Foreman, Corrie Sanders and Hasim Rahman.

[Gnome]

Ok, here's what I found out:

"Occasionally, the world champion of a particular weight division is temporarily unable to defend his championship because of medical, legal, or other reasons that are beyond the champion's control. When this case occurs, two highly ranked contenders will fight for the interim championship of the same weight division—leading to two champions existing in the same weight division simultaneously. Once the world champion is able to return, he must fight against the interim champion."

Somehow I doubt we will see Zhang Junlong (who has fought all his fights in China) climbing into the ring with de Mori in the modest town of Hildesheim, Niedersachsen. Unless there's a Croatian bouncer with that name hanging about northern Germany.

[ClivePatrickLyons]

THIS IS WHAT INTERIM MEENS IT'S LIKE BEING 12TH MAN IN THE CRICKET TEST MATCH
YOU CARRY THE DRINK'S AND YOU DON'T GET A MENTION WHEN ALL IS DONE AND DUSTED........... D

[kidbazooka1]

How can you mention a fighter as a champ with a wbu belt. Wtf

Only the wbc wba ibf and wbo matter.

Or are we gonna start calling a fighter a champion if they have a nabf, iba, bbc belts too.

[Gnome]

How can you mention a fighter as a champ with a wbu belt. Wtf

Only the wbc wba ibf and wbo matter.

Or are we gonna start calling a fighter a champion if they have a nabf, iba, bbc belts too.

I pointing out the ridiculousness of the whole thing, I didn't actually call anyone a champ.

What the WBU does here is ridiculous, and it's hard to stomach seeing posters advertising a world championship bout in some village - it makes the sport look ridiculous.

[AntonS]

Check current champs http://wbu-boxing.com/?page_id=523

[Gnome]

Check current champs http://wbu-boxing.com/?page_id=523

There's a couple of recognisable names amongst them, not least Michael Katsidis and Roy Jones Jr, which stick out like sore thumbs.

At least the girl champions are good looking.