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Lineal Champion

What is a Lineal Champion?

The lineal champion is often described as "the fighter who beat the fighter." The title follows an unbroken line of victories: a boxer becomes lineal champion by defeating the reigning lineal champion in the ring, not by being ranked or appointed by a sanctioning body.

Key Points:

  1. Origins: The idea predates modern sanctioning bodies. For much of boxing's history, a division's recognized champion was simply the fighter who had beaten the previous champion.
  2. How a lineage begins: When a lineal champion retires or the line is broken, a new lineage usually starts when the division's top two contenders meet.
  3. The Ring magazine: The Ring's championship belt, first awarded in 1922, is closely associated with lineal status, although the magazine's policies for filling vacant titles have changed over the years.
  4. Why it matters: Many fans and historians see the lineal title as the clearest answer to who the best fighter in a division is, especially when several sanctioning bodies recognize different champions.

Related Article: What Is Zuffa Boxing and How Does It Work?

The secret to Martial Arts, is not style but training.
Abhijit Naskar

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Lineal Champion
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