This is Rummy's Corner.
During the long rich history of the heavyweight division, there have only been 5 champions
who ever made 10 or more consecutive title defenses during a single reign.
Of course, the playing field has changed a great deal with the passage of time - originally
there was 1 world champion, then there were certain circumstances that evolved where you
could have 2 champions in a division, and then in the 80s it became 3, and in modern
times we're up to 4!
It's one of those things that makes no sense.
Logically, there should only be 1 champion per division, but that's a talk for another
day.
But even though the playing field has changed, where the chances of winning 1 of the 4 major
world titles has increased with time - the fact remains that there have still only been
5 individuals who ever made 10 or more consecutive heavyweight title defenses.
A few weeks ago reigning WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder scored a sensational 1st round
knockout against Dominic Breazeale - this marked 9 consecutive title defenses for Wilder.
Any way you slice it, that's an historically significant number.
Wilder is reportedly having a rematch later this year against Luis Ortiz, and this will
provide Wilder with an opportunity to join a very exclusive club if he can successfully
defend his belt for the 10th consecutive time.
Let's look at some historical context to help put things in perspective.
With 9 consecutive title defenses, Wilder has just passed two all-time great heavyweight
legends in Jack Johnson and Ezzard Charles.
Jack Johnson won the heavyweight world championship on December 26, 1908 when he defeated Tommy
Burns.
Johnson defended the heavyweight world championship 8 times over the next 6+ years, before ultimately
losing the title against Jess Willard, when Willard knocked Johnson out in the 26th round
to bring his title run to an end.
Ezzard Charles won the vacant NBA title on June 22, 1949 when he defeated Jersey Joe
Walcott by15 round unanimous decision.
The Cincinnati Cobra defended the title 8 times over the next 2+ years, which included
a unanimous decision victory against former champion Joe Louis, in the fight that solidified
his lineal status.
Ezzard would ultimately lose the title when he was knocked out in the 7th round in his
3rd fight against Jersey Joe Walcott.
Deontay Wilder currently stands at 9 consecutive title defenses, and he's already in good company,
as that ties him with Vitali Klitschko, Lennox Lewis, Iron Mike Tyson, Smokin' Joe Frazier,
and Muhammad Ali.
Vitali Klitschko defeated WBC champion Sam Peter by 8th round stoppage on October 11,
2008.
This was Doctor Iron Fist's 2nd reign as the WBC heavyweight champion, and he defended
that title belt 9 times over the next 4+ years before he retired.
Lennox Lewis won the WBC belt on February 7, 1997 in his bizarre 5th round stoppage
victory in his rematch against Oliver McCall.
Lennox solidified his standing when he ultimately added the WBA and IBF belts to his collection,
as well as becoming the rightful lineal champion.
So Lennox was the undisputed champion before that reign ended, and In total, Lewis defended
the championship 9 times over 4+ years before he was ultimately stopped in a shocking upset
against Hasim Rahman.
Iron Mike Tyson won the WBC title on November 22, 1986 when he scored an incredible 2nd
round knockout against Trevor Berbick.
Tyson would soon add the WBA belt, the IBF belt, and earned himself a rightful valid
claim to the lineal title during this reign.
Tyson ultimately made 9 successful title defenses during his mighty impressive championship
run of 3+ years.
Tyson would ultimately surrender the championship over to Buster Douglas in one of the biggest
upsets in all of sports history.
Smokin' Joe Frazier first captured the vacant NYSAC heavyweight title on March 4, 1968,
when he scored an 11th round stoppage victory against Buster Mathis.
Frazier would add the WBA title and the vacant newly formed WBC title when he defeated Jimmy
Ellis via 4th round stoppage.
Frazier also solidified his claim as lineal champion when he defeated Muhammad Ali in
the Fight of the Century.
Joe Frazier accumulated 9 successful title defenses in total, over the course of just
under 5 years, before ultimately being defeated in devastating fashion by Big George Foreman.
Muhammad Ali first became heavyweight world champion on February 25, 1964, when he scored
an upset stoppage victory against Sonny Liston.
This was Ali's first of three heavyweight championship reigns, and he defended the title
9 times over the next 3+ years until his boxing license was revoked!
So Deontay Wilder has already passed all time great legends like Jack Johnson and Ezzard
Charles, and he now finds himself tied with the impressive group that includes Iron Mike,
Doctor Iron Fist, Lennox Lewis, Smokin' Joe, and The Greatest himself!
In other words, historically speaking, Deontay Wilder is ALREADY in a very exclusive group!
Wilder is just 1 of 10 boxers during the long rich history of boxing to ever make 9 or more
consecutive heavyweight title defenses!
That's impressive stuff right there!
If Wilder can get to 10, that would tie him with Muhammad Ali's 2nd reign!
Ali's second reign began on October 30, 1974 when he defeated Big George Foreman by 8th
round knockout!
Over the next 3+ years, Ali made 10 successful title defenses during his 2nd run as heavyweight
champion, and that run ultimately came to an end when Ali dropped a 15 round split decision
against Leon Spinks.
Next up would be Tommy Burns, who captured the heavyweight world championship on February
23, 1906 when he won a 20 round decision against Marvin Hart.
In just under 3 years, Burns made 11 successful title defenses, before losing the championship
against Jack Johnson.
Then we have Wladimir Klitschko, who first won the IBF title when he defeated Chris Byrd
by 7th round stoppage on April 22, 2006.
Wladimir would later win the WBO title, the WBA title, and he would also establish a valid
claim as lineal heavyweight championship during his impressive reign of dominance!
Over the next 8 and a half years, Wladimir successfully made an incredible 18 consecutive
title defenses!
Wladimir's dominant run ultimately came to an end when he lost a lopsided decision against
Tyson Fury.
Larry Holmes first won the vacant WBC title on June 9, 1978 when he defeated Ken Norton
by 15 round unanimous decision.
The Easton Assassin was heavyweight champion for the next 7 and a half years, and he was
named champion by the newly formed IBF, and he also solidified his claim to the lineage
when he defeated Muhammad Ali.
During that time The Easton Assassin made 20 successful title defenses - technically
speaking, you can make the case it was only 19, because the WBC didn't sanction the bout
against Marvis Frazier - but 20 is the generally accepted number I've always seen, and either
way, Larry is #2 on the list when it comes to consecutive heavyweight title defenses.
And then we have the gold standard that was set by The Brown Bomber.
Joe Louis first won the heavyweight world championship on June 22, 1937 when he stopped
Jim Braddock by 8th round knockout.
The Brown Bomber's championship reign amazingly lasted nearly 12 years, and during that time,
the great Joe Louis made an astounding 25 consecutive title defenses.
You can even make technically the case that it was 26 consecutive defenses, given the
situation with the NYSAC during one of Joe's exhibition bouts.
But either way, Joe Louis is the gold standard here, and he successfully defended the championship
until his first short lived retirement.
Deontay Wilder first won the WBC title on January 7, 2015 when he scored a lopsided
unanimous decision victory against Bermane Stiverne.
In his 1st title defense, Wilder defeated Eric Molina by 9th round knockout.
In his 2nd title defense Wilder defeated Johann Duhaupas by 11th round stoppage.
In his 3rd title defense, Wilder defeated Artur Szpilka by 9th round knockout.
In his 4th title defense Wilder defeated Chris Arreola by 8th round stoppage.
In his 5th title defense, Wilder scored a 5th round stoppage against Gerald Washington.
In his 6th title defense, WIlder scored a devastating 1st round knockout in his rematch
with Stiverne.
In his 7th title defense, Wilder stopped Luis Ortiz by 10th round stoppage.
In his 8th title defense, Wilder retained his title in a 12 round draw against lineal
champion Tyson Fury.
And in his 9th and most recent title defense, Wilder scored a 1st round knockout against
Dominic Breazeale.
So as of this moment, Wilder is reportedly having a rematch against Ortiz later this
year, and if things go according to plan, he will follow that up with a rematch against
Tyson Fury some time after that.
BUT - if Andy Ruiz Jr has taught us nothing else, it's that we shouldn't look too far
ahead.
Fury has an upcoming bout against Tom Schwarz, right around the corner.
And barring some unforeseen circumstances, Wilder has the upcoming rematch with Ortiz.
Remember, Ortiz gave Wilder a helluva fight last time out, and he had Wilder in some serious
trouble during that 7th round.
Wilder overcame adversity, and he scored the dramatic late round stoppage.
Make no mistake - the upcoming rematch with Ortiz isn't a give-me fight.
Ortiz is a smart fighter, and he may be able to make the right adjustments to give himself
a genuine chance here.
But for me, at the end of the day, I've underestimated Deontay Wilder a handful of times, and he
has proven me wrong time, and time, and time again.
I believe Wilder will win the rematch in impressive fashion - and I'll detail my reasons why as
the fight draws closer.
But if Wilder DOES win the rematch against Ortiz - consider the historical implications!
There are only FIVE heavyweight champions during the long rich history of the weight
class who ever made 10 or more consecutive title defenses!
If and when Wilder does defeat Ortiz, that would make him #6 - and that's mighty impressive
stuff, any which way you slice it.
Deontay Wilder is on the brink of making heavyweight history, and I sure can't wait to watch him
try.
These sure are exciting times to be a fan of the heavyweight division!
Do you think Deontay Wilder will succeed in becoming just the 6th heavyweight champion
to make 10 or more consecutive title defenses?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section!
Thanks for watching everyone!
Hope you enjoyed, and have a wonderful night!