Erdei Vacates: Ding-Dong, the Lineage Argument is Dead

By Cliff Rold

It was the world title history which few cared about. Those who did just shook their head waiting for it to end.

And now it has according to various news reports. It ends with a fitting whimper.

In preparation for his challenge of WBC Cruiserweight titlist Giacobbe Fragomeni next Saturday, WBO Light Heavyweight champion Zsolt Erdei (30-0, 17 KO) has vacated that belt. In doing so, he has also vacated the last link to a debate about the lineage of the World Light Heavyweight championship which extends over much of the last thirteen years.

It was a debate which mattered once upon a time.

Read the rest at: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=23459

Good read. Glad that he is leaving light heavyweight after fighting in obscurity.

Many have argued that linear titles are bogus because there is no organization to force mandatory defenses. Since linear titles are won and lost in the ring, a linear champ can fight sporadically and avoid the best opposition. However, Erdei's reign shows that fighters who hold alphabet titles can also avoid the best. He held the WBO title for five years: Who did he fight?
Erdie's time as a linear champ was the exception, not the rule. Most true champions are willing to fight the best. People shouldn't use his reign to diminish the importance of linear champions.

can get Fragomeni at +210 for the weekend. Erdei has been fighting cans at 175 since 04, Fragomeni has only been beaten by Haye and gave him a really tough fight for 9 rounds. id probably bet Fragomeni if he was -200.

I actually thought the statement that he wanted "another highlight" for his career was even funnier. The next highlight he has in his career will be the first. My guess is that highlight will be his retirement.

Kneel before Zsolt!

Erdei came in at 178.8 for his fight on saturday, probably a good idea since he would have made a fat cruiserweight. Should have fought at 168 for most of his career i reckon, but he might not have been able to duck so many challenges there.
http://www.fightnews.com/?p=30069

the only time this mattered is when ROY JONES JR was in the discussion. Now that he isn't no one CARES. And to be truthful they NEVER did. It only mattered when they could try to use it as a point in an arguement.

A fond memory of mine...

I used to download fights all the time, and wound up downloading Erdei-Gonzalez a day or two after it happened. Ok fight, Erdei was busy, Gonzalez kinda wasn't, etc. Anyhow, I wound up going to Joan Guzman vs Sanchez here in SD like a month later or so and as I was leaving, I saw Gonzalez sitting in the stands like 10 rows up, surrounded by a bunch of empty seats. Felt bad for the guy because he's not a big name in boxing, not a very recognizable face, San Diego is not a big boxing city and he'd just lost his title. I went up and asked him to sign my program and he was nice as hell. I'm willing to bet I was the first person there who recognized him, aside from fellow fighters or people in the fight game.

Good to hear he was a nice guy.

Good little fight so far. I'm actually enjoying it.

Erdei is now the WBC Cruiserweight champion...

MD for Erdei 115-113, 115-113, 114-114

good fight, Erdei gets the majority decision

I thought 40 y.o. Fragomeni would get tired and stopped late, but he is one tough fighter. Congrats to Erderi.

I was off by 1 point on the scorecards.

Wow, you absolutely nailed it, man.

Oops, make that 2 points. I figured one card would be 116-112.

Close enough though. Actually I think someone may have nailed it in the pick 'em game.

Good fight, Fragomeni came on strong late but wasnt enough.