BoxRec

DISAGREEMENT Kid Galahad argues with Ben Davison live on talkSPORT just hours after world title win as he questions legitimacy of Leigh Wood’s WBA ‘regular’ belt

New IBF featherweight world champion Kid Galahad got into an argument with Ben Davison on talkSPORT just hours after his win on Saturday night.

The Sheffield man stopped Jazza Dickens to claim the vacant title, finally crowning himself featherweight champion of the world.

One week ago, Leigh Wood also achieved a massive win in the same division.

Wood stopped China’s Xu Can and took his WBA ‘regular’ belt.

However, there is plenty of debate over the WBA’s convoluted belt situation because they scatter numerous trinkets in each division.

At featherweight the WBA ‘super’ champion is Leo Santa Cruz, the WBA ‘regular’ champion is Wood and the WBA ‘interim’ champion is Michael Conlan.

Generally, only the highest ranking WBA belt is considered to be a fully legitimate world title by boxing fans.

In this case, that’s Santa Cruz’s ‘super’ title

However, the Mexican last fought at featherweight back in February 2019 and there are arguments that he should be stripped to allow Wood to be upgraded.

In the intervening period, Santa Cruz stepped up to super-featherweight and was knocked out by Gervonta Davis.

Wood’s trainer Davison was giving an interview on talkSPORT about the featherweight scene just hours after Galahad’s win, when the new champion himself was also able to join the show.
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Davison began by congratulating Galahad after discussing the quartet of local featherweights (Galahad, Wood, Conlan and Josh Warrington) who could all now square off.

Presenter Gareth A Davies asked Galahad: “It’s a great foursome to all fight each other, isn’t it?”

Galahad replied: “Oh 100 per cent, but let me ask you a question – who’s world champion? Let’s just make this clear, who’s world champion?”

He then pressed home the point that he is the IBF champion, Gary Russell Jr is WBC champion, Emanuel Navarrete is WBO champion and Santa Cruz is the legitimate WBA champion.

At this point Davison interjected and said: “Well Leo Santa Cruz hasn’t boxed at that weight for two years.

“One thing I will say is – don’t take anything away from Leigh Wood because I know how hard he works.”

Galahad replied: “No I’m not taking away anything from Leigh Wood.”

And Davison continued: “I know how hard you’ve worked every day of your life to achieve what you’ve achieved tonight and it’s the same with Leigh Wood the other week.

“Leo Santa Cruz hasn’t boxed at that weight for two years and got beat in that time.

“Leigh Wood beat the Ring Magazine number three there, whatever people wanna think of what the belt’s called, he became world champion the other night and no-one should be taking that away from him.”

Galahad asked: “I’m just saying to you who’s the world champion though Ben?”

Davison replied: “You are and he is.”

Galahad countered by referring to the super-lightweight division, where Davison trains undisputed champion Josh Taylor.

Taylor holds the WBA ‘super’ belt and so is considered by many to be the true WBA champion, but Gervonta Davis has the WBA ‘regular’ belt.

Galahad argued: “Is it Gervonta Davis or is it [Josh Taylor]?”

Davison hit back: “The difference is Josh is active at that weight.

“We’re not talking about that, the situation’s different. Leo Santa Cruz has been beat in that timeframe and hasn’t boxed at that weight for two years.”

Galahad retorted: “I just beat the guy who beat Leigh Wood.”

To which Davison said: “Josh Warrington beat you for that vacant belt. I don’t wanna have an argument but…”

Galahad interrupted and concluded: “I beat the guy that beat your boy, so that’s all that matters.”

Great that the argument is 'I'm one of the 4 world champions' having fought for a vacant belt.

All nonsense.

Galahad has given himself the platform to fight all the best Featherweights in the world for decent money - that's the main thing.

garethhop wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:01 Great that the argument is 'I'm one of the 4 world champions' having fought for a vacant belt.

All nonsense.

Galahad has given himself the platform to fight all the best Featherweights in the world for decent money - that's the main thing.

Was bit petty tbh..

I'm sure If Galahad won the 'regular' belt, he'd be calling himself a world champion too.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:07

garethhop wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:01 Great that the argument is 'I'm one of the 4 world champions' having fought for a vacant belt.

All nonsense.

Galahad has given himself the platform to fight all the best Featherweights in the world for decent money - that's the main thing.

Was bit petty tbh..

I'm sure If Galahad won the 'regular' belt, he'd be calling himself a world champion too.

Whilst I see both sides of it it just goes to show how stupid the WBA are to have so many world champs.

maverick23 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:10

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:07

garethhop wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:01 Great that the argument is 'I'm one of the 4 world champions' having fought for a vacant belt.

All nonsense.

Galahad has given himself the platform to fight all the best Featherweights in the world for decent money - that's the main thing.

Was bit petty tbh..

I'm sure If Galahad won the 'regular' belt, he'd be calling himself a world champion too.

Whilst I see both sides of it it just goes to show how stupid the WBA are to have so many world champs.

Kid seems to be going on a bit. Even at the post fight. Telling Laura 50 times he’s the world champion and not regular, then telling her to read the belt that it doesn’t say regular, and poor Laura bent down and even glanced.

Pretty sure the Regular and Interim bels don’t say they are. It’s the same belt as the world.

Barry is correct, although it's a good win for Leigh Wood.

For a trainer Ben Davison does a lot of talking

These new padmen love being mini celebs.

Pure gym Davison

Davidson’s just standing by his fighter, and good on him. All belts are a joke now, and should be ignored in favour of good matchmaking

It's inevitable you'll get this sort of squabbling with all these belts. It makes a mockery of the sport.

If all 4 governing bodies did what the WBA do we could conceivably have 16 World Champions in each weight.

And people wonder why boxing isn't being watched en masse any more.

Galahad may just be trying to get some "beef" going to hype an all British fight, he hopes on PPV. Fair enough I say.... but truthfully what's amusing is that neither are the top boy at feather. And you could say neither are legitimate and respected world champions....I mean imagine thinking and boasting about being the real world champion when you've just beaten Jazza Dickens for the title for goodness sake....

garethhop wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:01 Great that the argument is 'I'm one of the 4 world champions' having fought for a vacant belt.

All nonsense.

Galahad has given himself the platform to fight all the best Featherweights in the world for decent money - that's the main thing.

He won 2 final eliminators, one in the States. The title was vacant because Warrington performed the biggest duck in British boxing history.

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 14:38

garethhop wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:01 Great that the argument is 'I'm one of the 4 world champions' having fought for a vacant belt.

All nonsense.

Galahad has given himself the platform to fight all the best Featherweights in the world for decent money - that's the main thing.

He won 2 final eliminators, one in the States. The title was vacant because Warrington performed the biggest duck in British boxing history.

2 final eliminators gave him 2 title shots.

I really don’t understand after Warrington loss, he went straight back into a final eliminator..

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 14:40

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 14:38

garethhop wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:01 Great that the argument is 'I'm one of the 4 world champions' having fought for a vacant belt.

All nonsense.

Galahad has given himself the platform to fight all the best Featherweights in the world for decent money - that's the main thing.

He won 2 final eliminators, one in the States. The title was vacant because Warrington performed the biggest duck in British boxing history.

2 final eliminators gave him 2 title shots.

I really don’t understand after Warrington loss, he went straight back into a final eliminator..

Cause it was close and a split decision is why he got another final eliminator. Interesting looking kid has won numerous titles but never beaten a champion. All were vacant.

Here comes warrington vacated. Yes he did after winning their fight.

Galahad needs to get off that ivory tower. He won his “world title” over email.

high tower 1 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 15:46 Galahad needs to get off that ivory tower. He won his “world title” over email.

LMAO

Monzon83 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 12:52 It's inevitable you'll get this sort of squabbling with all these belts. It makes a mockery of the sport.

If all 4 governing bodies did what the WBA do we could conceivably have 16 World Champions in each weight.

And people wonder why boxing isn't being watched en masse any more.

Couldn’t agree more

maley1984 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 14:54

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 14:40

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 14:38

He won 2 final eliminators, one in the States. The title was vacant because Warrington performed the biggest duck in British boxing history.

2 final eliminators gave him 2 title shots.

I really don’t understand after Warrington loss, he went straight back into a final eliminator..

Cause it was close and a split decision is why he got another final eliminator. Interesting looking kid has won numerous titles but never beaten a champion. All were vacant.

Here comes warrington vacated. Yes he did after winning their fight.

Following the ‘great’ Bellend’s footsteps.

high tower 1 wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 15:46 Galahad needs to get off that ivory tower. He won his “world title” over email.

British boxers winning vacant titles by fighting a British boxer and then defending against other British boxers is one thing, but to then act all Boomer is another

Leigh Wood has been showing himself up on Twitter with his casual boxing knowledge fan base backing him up lying to themselves he’s a world champion.
Great win over Xu Can… no doubt but Galahad is right… Santa Cruz is champion, activity or not. The WBA should strip him and let Wood and Conlon fight for the proper world title.
Leigh Wood isn’t a world champion… anyone who disagrees is just justifying why boxing organisations have so many belts.
For Wood to be ‘upgraded’ to super champ wouldn’t sit right to me… you win that belt in a ring… not in an office.
Give Santa Cruz 3 months to fight Wood… if he’s busy pissing around with light welters then let’s get Wood v Conlon on in Ireland for that vacant belt.

well, if wood is a legit world champ, then tank davis is a legit world champ at 140. so is josh really undisputed, ben?

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 17:46 well, if wood is a legit world champ, then tank davis is a legit world champ at 140. so is josh really undisputed, ben?

I like Leigh Wood but I find myself wanting him to get a spanking in his next fight.
Boxing organisations are the cancer of this sport.

I suppose the obvious way to solve the question is for Galahad and Wood to fight each other next.
I don't doubt for a second that Eddie has already started planning for that.

It will be interesting to see if Galahad wins the 'regular' belt and then starts contradicting his earlier arguments by calling himself a unified champ.

keirw wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 17:52 I suppose the obvious way to solve the question is for Galahad and Wood to fight each other next.
I don't doubt for a second that Eddie has already started planning for that.

It will be interesting to see if Galahad wins the 'regular' belt and then starts contradicting his earlier arguments by calling himself a unified champ.

He already said he ain’t fighting him unless he is Super champion..

But we’ll see.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 17:59

keirw wrote: ↑09 Aug 2021, 17:52 I suppose the obvious way to solve the question is for Galahad and Wood to fight each other next.
I don't doubt for a second that Eddie has already started planning for that.

It will be interesting to see if Galahad wins the 'regular' belt and then starts contradicting his earlier arguments by calling himself a unified champ.

He already said he ain’t fighting him unless he is Super champion..

But we’ll see.

Davison was right when he said that Santa Cruz hasn't fought at Feather in two years, maybe the WBA will strip him if his next fight is not at the weight and promote Wood to 'super' champ.