Why the ABC boys have no credibility ...

vistaman44 · 04-21-2004, 04:57 PM

IBF Names McCline Mandatory for Chris Byrd!
By Rich DiBona
Jameel McCline has been named the mandatory contender to Chris Byrd's IBF heavyweight championship title. "Jameel's moment has arrived," said his promoter Cedric Kushner. "He is unquestionably among the elite in the heavyweight division and will illustrate that in the ring when these two meet. It will be a historic fight for Jameel and CKP."
The IBF has called McCline the leading available mandatory contender. They have ordered the fight to take place before June 20.
Byrd is coming off a disputed draw over Andrew Golota last weekend. McCline also fought last week, stopping Wayne Llewelyan in the 1st round via the 3 knockdown rule.
Byrd has been expected to take on Golota in a rematch. McCline was expected to face James Toney when healed. Toney had to cancel their previously scheduled bout when he tore his ACL.

+++++++++++

Ok, so ...
--- McCline fights no one and gets a title shot.
--- Golota, who didn't deserve a shot on paper, but acquitted himself well against Byrd, is on the outside and may not get the rematch most people would like to see.
--- Toney beats champions Jirov and Holyfield back to back, but has no title fight chance right now. Maybe Ruiz, Brewster or the Klitschko-Sanders winner will give him the shot he deserves.

Does anyone have any idea what the IBF is thinking? Toney, Golota, Joe Mesi (at least Barrett and Jirov were quality opponents) or even (former cruiser champ) Juan Carlos Gomez are better choices to fight Byrd. Unification bouts with Ruiz or Brewster would be more justified! I just don't get it ...

OK, I've vented. I feel a little better now ...

sabotai · 04-21-2004, 05:32 PM

Fi the IBF is trying to make itself even more irrelevant than it is now in the heavyweight division, they have taken a monster step in the right direction....this is a joke. I didn't see the Golata-Byrd fight, but from the sound of it, Golata deserves a rematch. McCline has done nothing, except get his ass kicked by Wlad a while ago.

Who's the IBF's #2 contender, Mike Tyson? Geez...

maxx · 04-21-2004, 07:40 PM

Oh, and don't forget you also have the IBF stripping Winky Wright of his title because he's contractually obligated to give Moseley a rematch & can't fight Ouma. Yeah, that makes sense & lends credibility to the flagging sport.

If these alphabet groups were a little bit less concerned with fracturing titles to jack up sanctioning fees, maybe the less hardcore fans might actually be able to recognize the champs & take an interest in the sport again.

Cap · 04-21-2004, 08:19 PM

What are these ABC groups everyone is talking about? The only recognized authority at the moment is The Ring Magazine's rankings. With Lewis' retirement, the title is vacant. The two leading contenders are likely Vitali Klitschko and Corrie Sanders.

Cap

Bam Bam · 04-21-2004, 08:26 PM

Yep, this is the major problem in pro boxing. You see some organizations like 'The Ring" magazine promote there rankings all the time, Friday Night fights was exclusively using only Ring ratings. This is probably a good start in getting rid of the alphabet belts. Although lately it seems the buzz has died and the abc belts are alive and well. I think they are bad for the sport also, but, if the fighters themselves don't boycott, it seems things will remain this way.

sabotai · 04-21-2004, 08:27 PM

I even question The Ring ranking Corrie Sanders as highly as they do.

maxx · 04-21-2004, 10:45 PM

I heard an interview with either Toney or Hopkins some time ago about how the Ring Magazine belts may be important to the fighters on a personal basis, but it's the alphabet belts that directly influence the purses. So, from a business perspective, the fighters end up valuing the alphabet titles highter . . . which just goes on perpetuating the cycle.

You know the promoters will just do whatever makes them the most money, and the fighters will follow the green, so if a change is to occur it is probably up to the networks to put a real premium on the Ring belts and discount the amount they're willing to pay for "other" title fights. If that were to happen, I suspect you'd see some rather rapid changes.

Animal · 04-22-2004, 08:32 AM

yep, i think the ring are taking a step in the rite direction, but i dont think the alphabet organizations are gonna keel over anytime soon (though i hope im wrong)...fighters wont boycott the orgs for the most part, cuz, as a little guy, its a shot at making some sorta money...MAB of course was the champ with out anybelts (so to speak) and set one heck of an example for the other superstars

-animal

hamed · 04-22-2004, 09:44 AM

vista, I know what you mean. You might have read this by now but it looks like Toney might get a shot @ Brewster so if "Lights Out" becomes a champ, we know he'll keep the pot stirred!

vistaman44 · 04-22-2004, 10:09 AM

Hamed;
Just saw that this morning and was coming here to share it. Good news for Toney and the rest of the division --- an actual warranted matchup/title shot!

hamed · 04-22-2004, 12:14 PM

You said it vista! With the division the way it is, no wonder guys like Tyson, Mesi & Foreman all think they have realistic shots @ the title - because they do! Rahman has a great shot, Tua too if he ever gets his situation fixed.

Bam Bam · 04-22-2004, 08:15 PM

now would be a great time for Iron Mike to come back,,,,tell me he couldn't knock out Brewster, Mesi, and Byrd right now!!!! I'd love to see Mesi get smoked by one of Mike's hooks. You know darn well Mike wouldn't respect those guys the way he did Lennoz....he would eat them up.

Hollywood Blond · 04-23-2004, 01:49 AM

I am glad HBO is billing Vitaly/Sanders as a fight for the World Heavyweight Title and just billed Bryd/Golota as a "title fight." It would still be better, though, if they acknowledged The Ring Magazine's rankings on the air and didn't even bill fights for the ABC title as title fights.

vistaman44 · 05-10-2004, 12:57 PM

The IBF has now backed off and allowed for a rematch of Golota-Byrd. McCline agreed to step aside and fight the winner.

So, maybe Toney-Brewster.

Ruiz versus ...?

Champion Klitschko versus ...?

Audley Harrison and Tyson are fighting people not in the top 50. No update on the alleged Foreman opponent. Mesi may be done ...

Anyone else heard of any upcoming heavyweight matchups in the top 20?

vistaman44 · 05-10-2004, 12:57 PM

The IBF has now backed off and allowed for a rematch of Golota-Byrd. McCline agreed to step aside and fight the winner.

So, maybe Toney-Brewster.

Ruiz versus ...?

Champion Klitschko versus ...?

Audley Harrison and Tyson are fighting people not in the top 50. No update on the alleged Foreman opponent. Mesi may be done ...

Anyone else heard of any upcoming heavyweight matchups in the top 20?

vistaman44 · 05-10-2004, 08:37 PM

No sooner had I posted the previous than the Associated Press comes out with the following:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Heavyweight contender Jameel McCline wants the International Boxing Federation to reverse an earlier decision and make him the mandatory challenger for IBF champion Chris Byrd's next title defense.

The IBF last week decided that Byrd could go ahead with a rematch with Andrew Golota before fighting McCline.

McCline's attorney claims the only reason the IBF approved the rematch was because Don King promotes both Byrd and Golota. He asked the IBF to reconsider its decision.

The IBF did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

McCline became the IBF No. 1 contender last month.

----------------------------

I'm sure he thinks he "deserves" a title shot now, but someone explain to McCline that patience is a virtue, please.

cubedrum · 05-10-2004, 09:19 PM

I wish Sonny Liston or Charley Burley was still alive to lecture McCline about patience and the "good old days".

Cube

sabotai · 05-10-2004, 09:51 PM

The only thing the IBF needs to reconsider is naming McCline the #1 contender. Who has McCline beat recently that he deserves to be the #1 contender?

04-21-2004, 08:19 PM	#4
Cap Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Large Province in God's Country Posts: 7,981	What are these ABC groups everyone is talking about? The only recognized authority at the moment is The Ring Magazine's rankings. With Lewis' retirement, the title is vacant. The two leading contenders are likely Vitali Klitschko and Corrie Sanders. Cap __________________ "...There were Giants in Those Days.."

04-21-2004, 08:26 PM	#5
Bam Bam All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,027	Yep, this is the major problem in pro boxing. You see some organizations like 'The Ring" magazine promote there rankings all the time, Friday Night fights was exclusively using only Ring ratings. This is probably a good start in getting rid of the alphabet belts. Although lately it seems the buzz has died and the abc belts are alive and well. I think they are bad for the sport also, but, if the fighters themselves don't boycott, it seems things will remain this way. __________________ runs a 4.4 40..

04-22-2004, 10:09 AM	#10
vistaman44 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Auxvasse, Mo. Posts: 3,576	Hamed; Just saw that this morning and was coming here to share it. Good news for Toney and the rest of the division --- an actual warranted matchup/title shot! __________________ ---Mark (vistaman44) http://www.fistication.blogspot.com/ "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters, compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, philosopher and poet (1803-1882) ----------------------------------- Currently operating 1970s SM-HW, 1940s, African, 1980s LW and women's boxing universes

04-22-2004, 08:15 PM	#12
Bam Bam All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,027	now would be a great time for Iron Mike to come back,,,,tell me he couldn't knock out Brewster, Mesi, and Byrd right now!!!! I'd love to see Mesi get smoked by one of Mike's hooks. You know darn well Mike wouldn't respect those guys the way he did Lennoz....he would eat them up. __________________ runs a 4.4 40..

05-10-2004, 12:57 PM	#14
vistaman44 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Auxvasse, Mo. Posts: 3,576	And the latest is ... The IBF has now backed off and allowed for a rematch of Golota-Byrd. McCline agreed to step aside and fight the winner. So, maybe Toney-Brewster. Ruiz versus ...? Champion Klitschko versus ...? Audley Harrison and Tyson are fighting people not in the top 50. No update on the alleged Foreman opponent. Mesi may be done ... Anyone else heard of any upcoming heavyweight matchups in the top 20? __________________ ---Mark (vistaman44) http://www.fistication.blogspot.com/ "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters, compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, philosopher and poet (1803-1882) ----------------------------------- Currently operating 1970s SM-HW, 1940s, African, 1980s LW and women's boxing universes

04-21-2004, 04:57 PM	#1
vistaman44 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Auxvasse, Mo. Posts: 3,576	Why the ABC boys have no credibility ... IBF Names McCline Mandatory for Chris Byrd! By Rich DiBona Jameel McCline has been named the mandatory contender to Chris Byrd's IBF heavyweight championship title. "Jameel's moment has arrived," said his promoter Cedric Kushner. "He is unquestionably among the elite in the heavyweight division and will illustrate that in the ring when these two meet. It will be a historic fight for Jameel and CKP." The IBF has called McCline the leading available mandatory contender. They have ordered the fight to take place before June 20. Byrd is coming off a disputed draw over Andrew Golota last weekend. McCline also fought last week, stopping Wayne Llewelyan in the 1st round via the 3 knockdown rule. Byrd has been expected to take on Golota in a rematch. McCline was expected to face James Toney when healed. Toney had to cancel their previously scheduled bout when he tore his ACL. +++++++++++ Ok, so ... --- McCline fights no one and gets a title shot. --- Golota, who didn't deserve a shot on paper, but acquitted himself well against Byrd, is on the outside and may not get the rematch most people would like to see. --- Toney beats champions Jirov and Holyfield back to back, but has no title fight chance right now. Maybe Ruiz, Brewster or the Klitschko-Sanders winner will give him the shot he deserves. Does anyone have any idea what the IBF is thinking? Toney, Golota, Joe Mesi (at least Barrett and Jirov were quality opponents) or even (former cruiser champ) Juan Carlos Gomez are better choices to fight Byrd. Unification bouts with Ruiz or Brewster would be more justified! I just don't get it ... OK, I've vented. I feel a little better now ... __________________ ---Mark (vistaman44) http://www.fistication.blogspot.com/ "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters, compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, philosopher and poet (1803-1882) ----------------------------------- Currently operating 1970s SM-HW, 1940s, African, 1980s LW and women's boxing universes Last edited by vistaman44; 04-21-2004 at 04:59 PM.

04-21-2004, 05:32 PM	#2
sabotai All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: South Jersey Posts: 841	Fi the IBF is trying to make itself even more irrelevant than it is now in the heavyweight division, they have taken a monster step in the right direction....this is a joke. I didn't see the Golata-Byrd fight, but from the sound of it, Golata deserves a rematch. McCline has done nothing, except get his ass kicked by Wlad a while ago. Who's the IBF's #2 contender, Mike Tyson? Geez...

04-21-2004, 07:40 PM	#3
maxx All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 716	Oh, and don't forget you also have the IBF stripping Winky Wright of his title because he's contractually obligated to give Moseley a rematch & can't fight Ouma. Yeah, that makes sense & lends credibility to the flagging sport. If these alphabet groups were a little bit less concerned with fracturing titles to jack up sanctioning fees, maybe the less hardcore fans might actually be able to recognize the champs & take an interest in the sport again.

04-21-2004, 08:27 PM	#6
sabotai All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: South Jersey Posts: 841	I even question The Ring ranking Corrie Sanders as highly as they do.

04-21-2004, 10:45 PM	#7
maxx All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 716	I heard an interview with either Toney or Hopkins some time ago about how the Ring Magazine belts may be important to the fighters on a personal basis, but it's the alphabet belts that directly influence the purses. So, from a business perspective, the fighters end up valuing the alphabet titles highter . . . which just goes on perpetuating the cycle. You know the promoters will just do whatever makes them the most money, and the fighters will follow the green, so if a change is to occur it is probably up to the networks to put a real premium on the Ring belts and discount the amount they're willing to pay for "other" title fights. If that were to happen, I suspect you'd see some rather rapid changes.

04-22-2004, 08:32 AM	#8
Animal Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boxaville, Boxavainia, Olympia Posts: 24	yep, i think the ring are taking a step in the rite direction, but i dont think the alphabet organizations are gonna keel over anytime soon (though i hope im wrong)...fighters wont boycott the orgs for the most part, cuz, as a little guy, its a shot at making some sorta money...MAB of course was the champ with out anybelts (so to speak) and set one heck of an example for the other superstars -animal

04-22-2004, 09:44 AM	#9
hamed Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,073	vista, I know what you mean. You might have read this by now but it looks like Toney might get a shot @ Brewster so if "Lights Out" becomes a champ, we know he'll keep the pot stirred!

04-22-2004, 12:14 PM	#11
hamed Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,073	You said it vista! With the division the way it is, no wonder guys like Tyson, Mesi & Foreman all think they have realistic shots @ the title - because they do! Rahman has a great shot, Tua too if he ever gets his situation fixed.

04-23-2004, 01:49 AM	#13
Hollywood Blond Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 141	I am glad HBO is billing Vitaly/Sanders as a fight for the World Heavyweight Title and just billed Bryd/Golota as a "title fight." It would still be better, though, if they acknowledged The Ring Magazine's rankings on the air and didn't even bill fights for the ABC title as title fights.

05-10-2004, 08:37 PM	#16
vistaman44 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Auxvasse, Mo. Posts: 3,576	Now this ... No sooner had I posted the previous than the Associated Press comes out with the following: NEW YORK (AP) -- Heavyweight contender Jameel McCline wants the International Boxing Federation to reverse an earlier decision and make him the mandatory challenger for IBF champion Chris Byrd's next title defense. The IBF last week decided that Byrd could go ahead with a rematch with Andrew Golota before fighting McCline. McCline's attorney claims the only reason the IBF approved the rematch was because Don King promotes both Byrd and Golota. He asked the IBF to reconsider its decision. The IBF did not immediately return a call seeking comment. McCline became the IBF No. 1 contender last month. ---------------------------- I'm sure he thinks he "deserves" a title shot now, but someone explain to McCline that patience is a virtue, please. __________________ ---Mark (vistaman44) http://www.fistication.blogspot.com/ "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters, compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, philosopher and poet (1803-1882) ----------------------------------- Currently operating 1970s SM-HW, 1940s, African, 1980s LW and women's boxing universes

05-10-2004, 09:19 PM	#17
cubedrum All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 952	I wish Sonny Liston or Charley Burley was still alive to lecture McCline about patience and the "good old days". Cube __________________ "If you build a man a fire, he stays warm for one day. If you set a man on fire, he stays warm for the rest of his life" - Edgar Frog

05-10-2004, 09:51 PM	#18
sabotai All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: South Jersey Posts: 841	The only thing the IBF needs to reconsider is naming McCline the #1 contender. Who has McCline beat recently that he deserves to be the #1 contender?