When Champions "Sell their Title"

It is a phrase used to describe a champion knowing he cant win so he makes sure he gets as much money possible here are some examples

Tommy Burns sells the title to Jack Johnson - for 50 grand, not bad at all for the early 1900s, poor Tommy could talk all the trash he wanted, he had to know that the end was coming, he figured get as much money as possible and get this guy to stop following me every where

Jim Braddock sells the title to Joe Louis - Braddock hadnt fought in 2 years since winning the title, he wasnt a good draw and believe it or not, he was not outgoing enough to be a radio or national personality. The belief was he would lose the title in his first defense, Max Schmeling was guaranteed the fight, but fearing the title going to Nazi Germany was not happening under Braddock and Gould's watch. Joe Louis was sold the title for a knockdown and half a million dollars.

Floyd Patterson sells the title to Sonny Liston - Floyd brought a disguise to this fight, thats all you really need to know.

Michael Spinks sells his title to Mike Tyson - has anyone ever looked more scared in a big time fight of epic proportions. I mean if you look closely Im pretty positive you can see piss running down Spinks legs. Another example of why sitting on a title for a year aint a good idea.

Buster Douglas sells his title to Evander Holyfield - for 23 MILLION DOLLARS damn thats a good sale Buster.

your adds, there are tons of examples I just stuck to heavyweights

Nice post!

Welter Red Cochrane had no shot with Marty Servo. But Red did what the Mob told him anyway.

I dunno how well he got paid, but Bob Olin was seen as having no shot when he fought John Henry Lewis for the LHW crown.

Alan Minter was a HUGE underdog against Hagler.

How about Ali "leasing" his title to Spinks,knowing that winning the rematch would make him the first HW to have won the title three times.

Wasn't Spinks stripped of the W.B.C. strap for refusing to fight Ken Norton?

yep Winston Spinks was stripped for not facing Norton

isnt it funny how they managed to even screw that obvious one up

Birdofthad wrote:

yep Winston Spinks was stripped for not facing Norton

isnt it funny how they managed to even screw that obvious one up

I think Spinks knew he was on borrowed time and he could make more money rematching Ali.No way in hell does Spinks beat Norton,and even Leon was smart enough to know that.

definitely agree

Bruce Seldon sold his title to Mike Tyson.

Not really a belt, but Marquez sold his name to Floyd. All of JMM's losses were all cotroversial, known as the guy who got the better of Pac-man, goes up weight and losses a near shut out to Floyd.

good ideas diego

But Im talking lineal Champions