When did the WBO become a major world boxing title?

[@WanderingBrushArt]

Who else is here after watching Crawford stop Porter? That was a better scrap than I expected tbh

[@PadChennington]

Nothing like a rummy upload at 1am lol.. keep up the great content my friend!

[@sticknmove8251]

WBO nowadays is way more respectable than the WBC’s abundance of “Witness Protection” Belts (Franchise, Bridger, Silver, Interim, etc)

[@shamekajackson7627]

rite......kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoemZGCmgpJ-nrM

[@pristinefitness9268]

They will get there eventually just like the WBA. The Wbo was propped up by Bob Arum giving his fighters that belt by fighting for WBO vacant titles against guys that didn’t deserve to be fighting for a title

[@dudem.7515]

Nice timing rummy. Right after that Crawford porter fight I was wondering when the hell this fourth one came in especially since arum’s been holding that damn belt for the past decade (at welterweight)

[@georgeh5745]

Naz deserves a mention, defended the WBO over a dozen times and kept it after unifying the other three alphabets. Also Chris Eubank did wonders for that org, just a year or so after the BBBofC recognised it as a legit title. Good video.

[@yourlegalassistant]

Rummy you should have mentioned Naseem Hamed, Eubank and Benn - they did lots to help the WBO in the early 90 and mid 90s especially in the UK

[@pink43560]

The WBO in UK was Warren’s arm mainly. Meant very little in World terms even then.

[@ibrahim-sj2cr]

@@pink43560 Warrens fighters have an easy route thru the WBO rankings "TO THIS DAY"

[@joshuaprice8501]

Rummy I'd love for you to do a history of each weight division (i.e. when they came into existence).

[@anthonyanderson9303]

Great video as always Rummy. One thing that wasn't mentioned that also brought credibility to the WBO was some of the lighter weight divisions in the early 2000's. Guys like Naseen Hamed, Marco Antionio Barrera, Eric Morales, Joel Casamayor, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, etc.. all guys who had big time fights for the WBO title and even unification fights with other titles. To me that was when the WBO started gaining some credibility, at least in the smaller weight classes. The Hopkins-DLH fight was definitely a pivotal moment and the fact that Hopkins was allowed to hold on to all the belts for a little while afterwards without boxing politics taking over was a good thing. It's funny how Hopkins was the last 4-belt undisputed champion to actually defend all 4 belts in subsequent fights. I believe Taylor had one of his belts stripped for taking the Hopkins rematch. Crawford moved up to 147 immediately afterwards and I honestly don't remember if Usyk had a title defense with all 4 or not? I know he fought Bellew but don't remember if he still had all 4 belts. Josh Taylor has a defense coming up and I highly doubt Canelo will still have all 4 of his belts, that is if he even fights at 168 again. At any rate, I think Undisputed is a great feather in the cap to have as a fighter. I just wish it was emphasized more than it is, but boxing politics puts a sour on everything.

[@thelevisullivan]

Usyk had all the belts when he fought Bellew. That was the only defense he made of all the titles.

[@kwato]

Great video I think Prince Naseem also deserves an honourable mention for holding the WBO belt after winning the IBF & WBC titles

[@modernguitarist1992]

Outstanding video as usual Rummy. For some reason, i always thought Mercer and Morrison were considered proper hw champions. In any case, those two were a lot better than some of the guys who held the more "major" belts (i.e. Leon Spinks, Bonecrusher, etc.) I would love to see what Mercer and Morrison could have done in today's era.

[@majimamike4097]

I agree. Those two were top fighters, just a notch below the goats like Holyfield and Lewis. Mercer gave hell to both of them though.

[@bookaufman9643]

Joe Calzaghe s one of my very favorite boxers of the last 20 years that great mixture of speed and power and the way he was willing to take on all comers. A great champion.

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

We always use the term "credibility" loosely, when talking about sanctioning bodies 😂

[@jamesrobert4106]

They almost make the Olmpic committee and FIFA look like choirboys, and that is a BOLD statement considering the grotesque levels of corruption they blatantly carry out.

[@Golden_Pat]

Always interesting to learn the history of boxing!

[@Jim17735]

I think the British middleweights Benn, Eubank and Calzaghe really helped the WBO gain credibility, even today though I still view the WBO title as slightly less than the other 3, probably unfairly as they have had some good champions

[@smitywerbenmanjensen5265]

Looking forward to Crawford-Porter review

[@TroystonB]

The wbo got a lot of recognition on the 90's in europe particularly in the super middleweight ranks.

[@billyyoung5363]

Another great video thanks for posting 👌🏻, one thing I was a little gutted about not mentioned was our Nigel Benn came over to the US & brought back the WBO Middleweight belt in 1989 which went on to the great fight with Chris Eubank in 1990

[@pink43560]

Awesome summary. Especially liked the HBO reminder of not recognising the WBO, as it was common place in US boxing then, in KO & Ring magazines too..I still look at the WBO as the 4th belt however shite the other 3 are too.

[@judgedredd3568]

Great piece on this Belt Rummy ....I'm 55 and remember it surfacing a while back and honestly revered it as an (almost) belt...I think I really started to notice it via Tommy Morrison...like this alphabet soup needed any more noodles...its bad enough with all the alternative weight classes super this or junior that....well if the belts legitimise a fight and bring in bigger gates and purses it makes sense for the business... Like another poster mentioned...I'd love to this you do a show on the origin of all the major belts and when the alternative weight classes came about.....Great show Rummy!!

[@angusdog22]

Rummy’s the Best commentator in all of boxing . An encyclopedia of knowledge. Great video

[@chriswilliamson7694]

I like and quite rate Michalczewski as a fighter, and agree he had a major hand in the WBO eventually gaining credibility. But I think his 'lineal' claim, often taken as fact nowadays, was pretty contestable. This lineage was broken when Spinks vacated all the titles in 1985 and for over a decade afterwards nobody won a unification bout at 175. Meanwhile Ring Magazine also stopped awarding belts during this period. Did Hill beating Maske really make him the lineal champ of consensus top man at 175? I think that's debatable as Jones won his first Light-Heavy strap a few weeks before and pretty much everyone knew that Jones was the better fighter. If you follow the Dariusz line of lineal thinking then fair enough, but if so you'd have to conclude that Zsolt Erdei was also the 'lineal' or 'true' champion at 175 from 2004-09 ahead of guys like Johnson, Tarver or Dawson, yet nobody does (albeit by then Ring Magazine had introduced their belts again for consensus champions). Also, I think it's a stretch (to put it mildly) to compare the appetite for Michalczewski-Jones with that for Pacquiao-Mayweather. Jones spent a decade considered one of (often the) tip-top pound for pound fighters in the world. Michalczewski was never held in anything like that esteem and there are precious few performances on his ledger which make you think he'd have a chance against Roy. His opposition after Hill was generally average and I think for Jones it would have been one to satisfy the critics, rather than a huge legacy booster. On the other hand Pacquiao-Mayweather was by far the biggest fight in the whole sport, not just for them as individuals, and they were the runaway top two pound for pound for a good while. I don't think the demand, intrigue or potential spoils were even in the same stratosphere. But anyway, I'm rambling. Great video as ever, Rummy.

[@Richard_Straker]

I am still reluctant to recognise it but that’s personal and I accept it’s been widely embraced. As for people asking about the IBO, I don’t think it will become a major title because it doesn’t enforce mandatories and the other four keep IBO title holders in their rankings. Great video.

[@davidscott2771]

4.58 - Incorrect. That only applies to within the United Stated, by the early 90's the WBO was a recognised sanctioning body which while not on the same level as it's bigger brothers had some excellent champions such as Chris Eubank, Marco Antonio Barrera, Naseem Hamed, Steve Collins, Dariusz Michalczewski and the names mentioned in the video at Heavyweight like Bowe, Mercer and Morrison.

[@zhihaoxu756]

Boxing historian! I absolutely enjor all your videos!

[@smokeynh5916]

How do you not have millions of subs..you're like the best thing on boxing on youtube. Sound like the old boxing docs of the 90's.

[@rodolforiverajr_]

Love these history lessons Rummy, have a nice rest of your weekend

[@tanjanazari]

Rummy your videos are the best. Undefeated boxinghistory champion.

[@anonym58063]

While I don't have the exact date, I believe it was 1997. This was the year where WBO titlists were finally allowed to unify, and some, like Naseem Hamed and Michalczewski, succeeded in their attempts. So for me it's 1997

[@cookiebozo]

Damn, you make some good boxing videos!!! If this was on TV I'd watch it religiously.

[@toddlicata7071]

Before I start watching this video I'm gonna think it was 2 things. 1. A lot of the top European fighters around 20 yrs ago held the WBO and it started feeling like the 4th most important belt. 2. De la Hoya fought Felix Sturm for the Wbo and claimed to have won a title in a record 6 weight divisions. Oscar was the biggest star below the heavyweight division at the time.

[@LegendInThaMakin]

I always knew the answer was 2004 but I didn’t know how or what date or the specific fight. I knew the ibf became a major title in ‘83, but I didn’t know it was because of Larry Holmes and Marvin hagler. Thanks rummy, great video!

[@twoheadeddatascientist3289]

Thank you for this video. You are always analytical.

[@twoheadeddatascientist3289]

I just realised something. You made a KZbin video, and answered your own question. You have a very methodical approach in answering questions. Thank you again:).

[@leemunoz9617]

When it come to WBO I think of Hamed and Barrera especially during his standoff with the WBC.

[@eugenegardnerjr1815]

WBO. I remember was considered a overseas 🇬🇧 UK world champship belt!! Best UK fighters world champion!!! IBO almost became big!!! But didn't get the right top fighters to hold it long enough!!!

[@5thAve718]

I love this channel because of the historical accuracy and it's always articulate and detailed. Excellent job as usual.. Thanks Rummy

[@peterrobson9920]

I’ll always say that it’s the holders of said titles that elevate the organisations, I remember Ricky Hatton holding the unknown WBU title but making it more recognised at the time because of him..pretty much the same with the IBO when AJ held it

[@Cryptokat]

so much insight, so much pure boxing knowlege. Lots of Love and Respect from London Rummy! Keep up the AMAZING work.

[@njclondon2009]

I know this is a video on the heavyweight WBO title, but for me chris eubank really put the WBO on the map, fighting 19 WBO title fights between 90-95 in a classic era of british boxing (eubank, watson, benn)

[@mailboy79]

Excellent video. Best part was including the very common Jim Lampley disclaimer.

[@surgicalboxing1551]

Rummy always dropping gems for boxing fans

[@Pawel_Strong]

Hi Rummy. Will you ever make a video about the IBO belt? International Boxing Organization also had some interesting names on its heavyweight list. Many people still do not understand why Usyk and previous HW champions before him proudly carry the IBO belt on their hips despite the fact that this belt is not considered one of the main ones. I know the history of IBO well, but it would be nice if you could make a video of it and explain it to people who don't understand what it is about. I am also curious if you think that IBO will one day join the Big Four Regards

[@ronburgundy8423]

when i think of WBO i think of the british middle/super boxing scene when Benn, Eubank, Watson, Collins all continually put on great battle for it in the early to mid 90's

[@jawilsio]

Be interested to see if Rummy thinks that Chris Eubank wasn't a proper world champion or if Calzaghe's title defences only count after he defeated Lacey

[@josemarquez09]

I think Marco Antonio Barrera deserves a mention on this video as a pioneer. He was a WBO holder and defender who at that time refused the WBC

[@shawndellbailey4032]

Rummy that was a great video. History lessons are needed for fight fans. Especially fan boys. They need to know shit.

[@bradjohnson482]

WBO was the little step-brother of belts for most of my life. I was wondering why it got to be where it is now.

[@daveyboy_]

Always thought the WBO was kinda second rate . IBC too

[@sugarrayrags4320]

Technically O’Neil bell was Undisputed it was just short lived due to The WBO being Recognized shortly after. Not trying to devalue your work tho it’s great stuff.

[@elmylopez7317]

you should make a video of all the champions that have been unified in the history of boxing and how always your video without any waste you are the best Rommys 🔥🔥🔥

[@suchasin]

I love these boxing history video's

[@BizAndProductReviews]

Hey Rummy, you need to do a longer video on the history of the four major world boxing organizations. I saw a video from another KZbinr that went into the history of each but I think that you would do the best video on that subject.

[@Aerojet01]

Nigel Benn's win over Iran Barkley back in 1990 for the WBO Middleweight crown was a defining fight. It put the WBO on the map. Throughout the 90's, prominent fighters such as Chris Eubank Antonio Barrera, Naseem Hamed, Oscar De la Hoya, Ronald Winky Wright and Steve Collins built it as a credible championship belt. The WBU almost broke into the four elite titles with the help from George Forman, Thomas Hearns, Ricky Hatton, Colin Dunne and Micky Ward, but when their founder died, the sanctioning body vanished from the boxing scene to reappear in 2011under different ownership. It has never managed to achieve its original status. Johnny Nelson's run as the WBO cruiserweight champion gave it a lot of prestige, along side Joe Calzaghe.

[@franc101978]

Excellent video. One of the best. Like Holmes and Hagler star power gave the IBF credibility, the WBO must thank Oscar star power for bringing credibility to the organization.

[@cgaffney920]

Keep grinding Rummy. Quality stuff, right here.

[@omarm2426]

Love your uploads Rummy

[@bossplaya1110]

Rummy has a great narration voice he should be on TV 🥊

[@voscowbinder9458]

Great documentary as always

[@jonnybravo3055]

Really great research and knowledge as always.👍🏼🇬🇧

[@dennisfboston4543]

I remember Ring magazine used to call it the world body odor

[@danolive5307]

I think Chris Eubank and Prince Naseem in the 90s gave the WBO a lot of credibility too, in Britain particularly

[@wraithstrongopark]

history lesson appreciated. big up! one of my favorite channels!

[@paggyD2024]

Rummy dropping that knowledge. True boxing aficionado.

[@Leo-vi7tt]

For me the boxers who made the WBO great were Ridick Bowe Wladimir Klitchko Nasseem Hammed Marco Antonio Barrera

[@robertspencer3694]

Another great video!

[@stuartsutton2548]

For me it's when Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank first fought

[@edwardsantiago6433]

Excellent boxing history lesson

[@euanwilkie4785]

Think Chris Eubank deserves a mention for his WBO reign in the early 90s.

[@TheCharlesJackson]

The timing of this is interesting. Real world parallel, to be asked one day down the line.

[@pugil1st]

Well-researched and erudite, as always!

[@tempestvideos9834]

You've always held quality opinions.

[@ynotefil]

@RUMMY Thank You. I Love Learning New Thing's Especially If It Involves Sports.

[@theduthies9381]

Great vid. In my head Barrera was always the flag bearer for the WBO. The WBO reinstated him after Morales loss and it was such a big fight in 2000. Calzaghe as well had so many defences of it but he definitely only got respect after the Lacy win.

[@purvalama6540]

LOVE THIS CHANNEL

[@kalinganations7029]

I remembered that people are saying the belt as WBogus.

[@danieldelavera9212]

I think that if George Foreman had won his bout against Tommy Morrison for the vacant WBO heavyweight title back in 1993, that would have given the WBO instant credibility, given the popularity of Foreman at that time. I also believe Naseem Hamed was an early pioneer for the WBO. He was a long time WBO featherweight champion, even winning the IBF title against Tom Johnson while still holding the WBO title, then vacating the IBF belt shortly afterwards....

[@jabber67]

This will be a good one

[@juliuscastillon9554]

I think PACQUIAO also one of the pioneer of WBO because his the P4P that time when he TKO Cotto and he won 3 times that WBO belt

[@deeeeeeeench1209]

I'm a little drunk to give any breakdown but what a fight in fact what a night Porter Crawford was what I expected but the rest was totally unpredictable what a night and what a finish that the best I can do after 70cl of vodka!

[@Elvis68spec]

Excellent analysis! The IBF did get a lot of help with Holmes and Hagler, as you stated. The WBO, which I consider to be the least of the Four, with The Ring Magazine Belt, being the true Championship Belt, ran into a dead Heavyweight Division in the early 2,000's. I believe, this aided in stalling the W.B.O.'s growth. Truthfully speaking, it's not the Belt that makes a Fighter a Champion, these Days. There is no such thing as Four Champions in Boxing. It's all about lineage! When the Championship is put around the Waist of the Man who beat the Man, it doesn't matter what Organization it is! The WBA may be the oldest Belt in Boxing but The Ring Magazine Championship Belt is the only, true Championship Belt in Boxing!

[@bareknuckles2u]

Terrific video!

[@heerkojohanneskooistra6708]

Thanks Rumsfeld !

[@Littlephill]

Love these type of videos keep up the great work

[@sergiogutierrez1859]

Excellent video!

[@grahamt33]

Now, we have the IBO - I would love you to do a piece on that !

[@MaccaveliPL]

WBA and IBF did Michalczewski dirty, no doubt. At some point, he held a claim to all major titles.

[@dennisfboston4543]

Nice piece Rummy

[@PJP812]

The first time i remember hearing about the WBO was Tommy Hearns v James Kinchen back in 1988

[@kraigwilliams5697]

People forget Aaron Prayor was one of the first to hold the IBF world title. He relinquished his WBA jr welterweight world championship to hold the IBF championship. The first fighter i remember holding a WBO championship was Oscar Dela Hoya

[@nccfball]

Great video sir. All these belts hurt the sport we love. Really wish this wasn't the case. Really glad the PBC belts that they were trying to get going never got traction. I remember early on during the PBC days, they wouldn't allow champs to walk in with belts nor announce them as an alphabet champ

[@runningsuperska]

I remember Frank Warren's boxers always seemed to get shots at the WBO belt.

[@jasonellis9777]

This was a great video. I remember personally recognizing the WBO when Michael Moorer held there light heavyweight title. Before that it always seemed like a IFBB or something belt. Lol

[@armitron1100]

Awesome video

[@ceez2140]

Come on Rummy we need more content!!!!!!

[@silverguy3077]

Great video

[@GiovangelPerez]

I love your content man.

[@dillavedderx5959]

Would love to see Josh Taylor step up and fight Bud ! Because after what Bud did to Porter, Spence got up and bounced! so I believe Errol will want a fight after his time off with the surgery and that would open up Taylor vs Crawford with Bud again proving his doubters wrong!!!! Congratulations Bud !🥊🖤🥊

[@jonathanparks107]

Great boxing knowledge rum rum

[@adrianr4591]

I’ve learned so much from ya brotha. Thanks and please keep up the good work 😎🍻🤙🤕🥊 CHEERS MATE

[@thejoojooman6538]

Gr8 video dude.

[@obiclone]

Yep that has always been my answer Hopkins- De la Hoya after that HBO started calling WBO champions world champions. And I think a lot of it just flat out how to do with Oscar himself. He was by far the biggest star at the time. Then Manny Pacquiao WBO titles for a very long time