are the belts really that important?

[Madison Boxing]

i see so many **** fights cause someone has been installed as a mandatory, or its a title eliminator or whatever.
In terms of reputations, would a fighter actually be better off getting rid of their belt and just fighting big names? So almost being a 'freelance' fighter so to speak, not affiliating themselves to any organisation. So they dont worry about mandatory fights, eliminators, but they just get themselves to world level and pick and choose who they fight?
does it really mean much to have all your career moves dictated to win/defend a belt which doesnt really mean ****?
What do people think? Does anyone place much importance in the 4 belts? To me winning the belt plays second fiddle to the opponent that you beat, dont know whether others feel the same...

[*TonyMontana*]

i see so many **** fights cause someone has been installed as a mandatory, or its a title eliminator or whatever.
In terms of reputations, would a fighter actually be better off getting rid of their belt and just fighting big names? So almost being a 'freelance' fighter so to speak, not affiliating themselves to any organisation. So they dont worry about mandatory fights, eliminators, but they just get themselves to world level and pick and choose who they fight?
does it really mean much to have all your career moves dictated to win/defend a belt which doesnt really mean ****?
What do people think? Does anyone place much importance in the 4 belts? To me winning the belt plays second fiddle to the opponent that you beat, dont know whether others feel the same...

Not for me
It's just a trinket really
I still see fury as the champ with or without a belt
They literally make up belts to give to fighters
Look at the one they made for Manny
The ibf goes to the highest bidder it seems
Same with wbo

[Banko Villas]

You are a Golovkin fan and yet you say that it is important to beat big names? Lol.

[The Gambler1981]

Belts are only as important as the guy holding it makes it, if the guy is a stud the belt means something.

If it is a belt picked up out of a trash can by a hobo lucky to have it then it is meaningless. If that hobo turns out of be a real fighter that belt can gain a lot of extra meaning over time, but it take wins for that to occur.

Man make the titles, titles don't make the man~

[youbeight]

after months of talking about all the belts, suddenly a change of heart lmfaooo

[BrometheusBob.]

The belts are whatever. What's important is how you got them.

But the titles sound nice on a billboard or announcement etc and they drive casual fan interest. Also, for a young boxer a belt can be incredibly validating.

[BoxingFan85]

Belts are also leverage whilst negotiating terms with opponents.. If you won them by beating a legit opponent/champ/unification, yes.. But having said that there are a lot of phony champs out there & guys holding the belt hostage for highest bidder..

[Redd Foxx]

I've never cared much about belts. They mean soooooo little in this sport that the first thing you learn as a modern boxing fan is that everyone you've heard of has been a champion at some point. It's almost meaningless.
Resume and what you bring to the ring is everything (to me).

[FinitoxDinamita]

For most fighters yes belts hold a great value. It is a ticket to a bigger payday for the next fight, win or lose.

Once you are up there it doesnt mean as much but those fighters only come in a few.

[b00g13man]

after months of talking about all the belts, suddenly a change of heart lmfaooo

I know, right?

"He wants all the belts"
"Unification is the goal"

Not so important after all, huh?