On July 2nd, 1921, the World Boxing Association (known as the National Boxing Association back then) was born. That day, Jack Dempsey, acclaimed by the press as heavyweight world champion, knocked out light heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier in the fourth round to become the first world champion recognized by a worldwide sanctioning body.
A few weeks before the fight, 13 boxing commissions met in the state of Rhode Island and established the NBA, which sanctioned title fights and established world ratings. 41 years later, the NBA renamed itself the WBA.
Dempsey-Carpentier was a unique event that marked several historic milestones for boxing.
1) It was the first time that a sports event of this kind had a massive presence of women (for heartthrob Carpentier) among the almost 90,000 fans who filled the seats of Boyle’s Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey.
2) It was the first million-dollar gate netting $1,789,238 paid in tickets from $5 to $50 (it was later said that promoter George “Tex” Rickard regretted not having sold the tickets at a higher price).
3) It was the first fight to be broadcast live on radio.
So it was on this date 100 years ago that Jack Dempsey became the first WBA world champion. All WBA champions since have followed in the “Manassa Mauler’s” footsteps.
100 years of crooked ratings and swindlery
WBA has three belts in each division
The old management must be spinning in their graves. 6 champions per division
If y’all want to be around for another 100, cut the BS, get rid of completely bogus “regular” and “interim” titles, and start respecting the sport instead of hurting it. The WBA has become a four-letter word to fans.
WBA = We Be Asking (per Teddy Atlas).
Old Jack would not be pleased to know that there were 5 guys walking around with his belt at the same time, calling themselves WBA heavyweight champions.
If all promoters would quit paying the sanction fees these Alphabet Organizations would fold & go away. They provide nothing for the sport, fans wish to see good matches not who belt you are fighting for (your not really fighting for the belt you are fighting for the cash) it’s not relevant. All of these organization are corrupt giving out award & trophies, fancy dinners, having conventions, & making up rules that support their bottom line. The fact is if they really were doing anything for boxing they would setup some type of medical/retirement plan for boxer….
To celebrate the 100th year the WBA will be adding 15 new titles to each weigh class.
Always corrupt. From the Sports Illustrated vault. Add http:// at the beginning to get there
vault.si.com/vault/1981/03/23/fighting-the-rulers-of-the-wba-special-report-part-ii-more-brazenly-even-than-the-wbc-its-counterpart-the-world-boxing-association-has-spun-a-web-of-dubious-practices-from-its-power-base-in-panama
First NBA recognized champions
Flyweight Pancho Villa June 18, 1923
Bantamweight Joe Lynch January 23, 1924
Featherweight Eugene Criqui June 2, 1923
Junior Lightweight Johnny Dundee July 6, 1922
Lightweight Rocky Kansas December 7, 1925
Junior Welterweight Jackie “Kid” Berg February 18, 1930
Welterweight Mickey Walker September 20, 1923
Middleweight Johnny Wilson September 5, 1921
Light-heavyweight Mike McTigue March 17, 1923
Heavyweight Max Schmeling July 3, 1931
SOURCE: The Definitive History of World Championship Boxing By Barry J. Hugman, Volume 2
WBA is the main reason that boxing has become a fringe sport. 65 champions per division makes it hard for the average person to keep up. I rarely watch it anymore