Lineal World Heavyweight Championship – from John L. Sullivan to Oleksandr Usyk!
Oleksandr Usyk made boxing history with his recent victory over Tyson Fury. With the victory, Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since the great Lennox Lewis last held the distinction almost a quarter of a century ago (in April 2000).
The victory also meant that Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in the newfangled four-belt era. Usyk also became the second boxer in history to become undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, joining an exclusive club that also includes Evander Holyfield. But perhaps most importantly, the victory gave Usyk his rightful title as heavyweight champion of the world, dating back to the 1880s under John L. Sullivan.
In boxing today we have 4 major world titles and this complicates the sport due to politics and the huge number of title holders, which makes tracking the championships more complicated than it should be. That’s why the concept of a linear championship, or man beating man, remains critical to this day. At this point, Oleksandr Usyk is the undisputed lineal heavyweight champion of the world, with claims to all 4 major alphabet belts, and more importantly, he has a legitimate claim to the bloodline. The Alphabet Bodies may technically ruin an undisputed portion of what the IBF is already planning, but Usyk will remain the lineal heavyweight champion of the world until someone defeats him or until he truly retires and never comes back. Until one of these things happens, Oleksandr will remain the only true lineal heavyweight champion of the world.
This release Rummy Corner will provide a complete chronology of the lineal World Heavyweight Championship from John L. Sullivan to Oleksandr Usyk, while also examining the historical precedents that were set to create a recent line each time there is a break in the event of a heavyweight champion leaving with the crown. Watch and enjoy the video to hear one man’s opinion. This is Rummy’s Corner (produced and narrated by Geoffrey Ciani).