BoxRec

Has a reigning heavyweight champion ever fought a non-title fight between defences? Not an exhibition, a sanctioned fight that appears on their record.

If I recall correctly, early 20th century heavyweight champs sometimes fought non-title fights. But I'd have to search their records again to confirm.

In 1909 Jack Johnson fought a six rounder against Tony Ross in a bout that media did not regard as a title match. That's probably one of several such examples.

Jim Jeffries v Tom Kennedy

Some record books count Johnsons KO3 of Jack Murray as a title fight,, and some don't.
I found one record book that counts KO 2 of Andre Sproul as a title fight, others don't. Boxrec doesn't even record this as a fight.

Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑29 Sep 2023, 15:19 I found one record book that counts KO 2 of Andre Sproul as a title fight, others don't. Boxrec doesn't even record this as a fight.

Johnson did knock out Andre Spoul on November 28, 1913, but it was in a wrestling match. Some sources seem to think that wrestler Spoul fought Johnson in a boxing bout, but it really was the other way around. The match was part of an international wrestling tournament and fought under wrestling rules.

Johnson's record is particularly murky in this regard. Sproul is a perfect example, as Alp noted. I've seen it referenced as a title defense and I've seen it noted as a boxer v. wrestler exhibition.

Larry Holmes v. Marvis Frazier is probably the closest thing we'll find in the modern era. If you consider Holmes the lineal champion at that point (which I do), it was a title fight. But Holmes was the WBC champion at the time and they did not recognize the bout. Holmes hadn't been named IBF champion at that point, so they didn't recognize the match. From a sanctioning body viewpoint, this is an example of what you're asking.

According to the WBC, yesterday we had an example of exactly what you were asking about.

What fight was that?

What fight was that?

Fury v Ngannou mate.....anothet attempt by the Saudis to buy a sport.

I reckon Usyk will be licking his lips having watched that one, Fury coluld well be on the slide.

Had no idea this fight happened. Guess it tells you how big boxing is compared to what it once was. According to Boxrec, he fought a guy in pro debut? And got decked, and barely got the decision. Wow. Truly one of the greats.

So he is still the WBC champion? Why don't they strip him if he won't defend it ? It's almost like boxing is corrupt.

We can all be grateful that boxrec decided to open the site up to all manner of non boxing sports. Ngannou will soon infect every corner of discussion now. Thanks

Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑30 Oct 2023, 15:32 Had no idea this fight happened. Guess it tells you how big boxing is compared to what it once was. According to Boxrec, he fought a guy in pro debut? And got decked, and barely got the decision. Wow. Truly one of the greats.

So he is still the WBC champion? Why don't they strip him if he won't defend it ? It's almost like boxing is corrupt.

The WBC did offer some kind of special belt, not their heavyweight belt but they did manage to find a way into some kind of fee.

Bodyshot3 wrote: ↑30 Oct 2023, 14:18

What fight was that?

Fury v Ngannou mate.....anothet attempt by the Saudis to buy a sport.

I reckon Usyk will be licking his lips having watched that one, Fury coluld well be on the slide.

What shits me about the Saudi thing is that it isn't (for the most part) people without money being drawn there. It's people with more money than they could spend in their lifetime being drawn there for a bunch more money that they won't be able to spend. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an 'eat the rich' kind of person but having some kind of moral compass would be nice from athletes I want to respect.