The first undisputed world championship fight in the division this century recalls the simple yet majestic years in the ring
t was once so clear and powerful. The heavyweight championship of the world used to be the most significant prize in sport and the winner was often as revered or feared as almost any man on the planet. As Tyson Fury andprepare to face each other in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, with both men determined to become the first undisputed world heavyweight champion this century, it feels timely to remember those simple yet majestic years in the ring.
Louis, who was instructed by his managers to do the opposite of Johnson, said little and hid his emotions behind an impassive mask. It helped curb a racist backlash when Louis became world champion a year later and then, in June 1938, defended his title in a rematch with Schmeling. Hitler was convinced Schmeling would prevail but Louis, punching with fire and fury, won by a first-round knockout.
Today there are 17 weight classes and the four main sanctioning bodies and warring promoters often prevent the best fighters from meeting in the ring. The IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO anoint their own “world champion” in each division and draw up ratings which ignore challengers associated with rival organisations.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘It’s bad behaviour’: Usyk to use Fury incident as motivation for title clashThe Ukrainian boxer told his entourage not to get involved after Tyson Fury’s father John butted a team member before Saturday’s fight in Riyadh
Read more »
‘Disrespecting my son’: Tyson Fury’s father left bleeding after headbutting Usyk fanBoxing: Vasiliy Lomachenko has finished George Kambosos Jr in sensational fashion during round 11 of their IBF world lightweight title bout in Perth.
Read more »
Tyson Fury’s father left bloodied after incident at Usyk fight media dayTyson Fury’s father John was left with blood pouring down his forehead after an incident at a media day in Riyadh
Read more »
‘I ain’t no fool’: Lennox Lewis on Fury-Usyk and offers of returns to boxingThe last undisputed world heavyweight champion recalls his own battles for the crown – and tells Donald McRae who will win the imminent unifier
Read more »
Saudi money has reshaped boxing but how do we justify the human cost?In a defining week for Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and boxing, the glitz of a unifying world heavyweight contest sits uncomfortably against a backdrop of human rights concerns
Read more »
Mike Tyson admits worrying body issue at chaotic face-off ahead of megafightBoxing: John Fury, father of Tyson, was left with blood running from his head after planting a headbutt on a member of Oleksandr Usyk's camp.
Read more »