In combat sports where champions are determined by challenge, the lineal championship in a weight class represents an intangible world title first held by the victor of a bout between top contenders in the division.[1] A fighter who defeats the reigning champion in a match within the same weight class becomes the next lineal champion. In professional boxing, the lineal champion is informally known as "the man who beat the man."[2][3]
There is no universally recognized protocol for establishing the start of each championship lineage, leading to the absence of a single canonical list of lineal champions. A lineage may be disrupted when the reigning champion retires or changes weight class. Other factors such as prolonged inactivity, legal issues, or the inability of a champion to defend their title may also contribute to such disruptions. Additionally, when a sanctioning body such as the WBA, WBC, IBF, or WBO strips a title, this action is generally disregarded in determining the lineal champion.
- ^ * "Lineal Heavyweight Champions". Sports Illustrated. 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- Jay, Phil (2023-09-26). "The History of the Lineal Heavyweight Championship: 1885 - 2023". World Boxing News. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- "Raskin: The fight that boxing fans demand". ESPN.com. 2008-03-24. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ Raskin, Eric (2008-03-24). "In an ideal world, Casamayor fights the 'Galaxxy Warrior' next". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
- ^ Castellano, Daniel J. (2005). "Critique of "Lineal" Boxing Championships". Repository of Arcane Knowledge. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2008-11-19.