AN overwhelming majority of fighters will most likely insist that their dream, above all else, is to become a world champion.
The euphoria that comes with hearing ‘AND THE NEW’ is, one can only imagine, unlike any other feeling, representing perhaps the purest of moments in an imperfect sport.
But while that feeling will always remain consistent, the landscape that has been created by each of the four major sanctioning bodies only ever seems to create confusion.
Often, a fighter will emerge in the rankings of either the WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO for no real reason, other than because their manager or promoter, or, in some cases, the fighter themselves, has lobbied for that lofty position.
Take Jarrell Miller, for instance. Despite never winning a meaningful fight, the 36-year-old miraculously leapt up six places in the WBA rankings ahead of his upcoming clash with Fabio Wardley.
These mystifying decisions make it increasingly difficult to trust that the alphabet organisations offer a fair system, whereby each fighter, based solely on merit, is able to build towards a title shot.
That, of course, is a reality that, quite simply, remains a far cry away from seeming even remotely achievable.
Instead, we watch from afar as the likes of Miller, someone who has previously tested positive for multiple performance-enhancing substances, is given opportunities over vastly more deserving fighters.
But with Dmitry Bivol making the headlines after vacating his WBC title last week, perhaps a turning point, where each sanctioning body is afforded less influence, could be just around the corner.
Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), was always contractually compelled to enter a trilogy showdown with Artur Beterbiev. At the same time, though, his decision to relinquish the green and gold strap nonetheless represents a statement of sorts.
While, in this instance, David Benavidez was rightfully positioned as the number-one contender, the motivation to see champions face their mandatory challengers is only diminishing.
For a mandatory system to work, there must be a universally recognised leading contender – not just someone that has turned up to a sanctioning body convention – who is the obvious candidate to earn a title shot. And yet, rarely does that ever seem to happen.
But now, it could become more common for fighters, finding a greater reason than to not give up a percentage of their purse, to grow less beholden to a belt.
That, after all, is what UFC president Dana White will be hoping for when his TKO promotion eventually takes shape, establishing one title per division.
Then again, with White and Turki Alalshikh looking to change the Ali Act – a piece of legislation designed to protect fighters – the unfair state of affairs in boxing, regardless of who is involved, may never change.
