At the beginning of December 2018, the WBA releases its latest update on the state of its rankings, and one name immediately draws attention from across the boxing world: Ryoma Takeda, sitting at number seven.
The reaction is mixed. Some see it as an unusual but perfectly legitimate development, while others question the unusual approach.
A major global sports daily wastes little time questioning the decision.
WHY CLIMB THE LADDER?
If Ryoma Takeda genuinely intends to add the WBA belt to his collection, why take the long road?
As a reigning world champion, Takeda already has the obvious route available to him: a unification fight. Instead of spending months or years climbing through the WBA rankings, he could simply pursue a champion-versus-champion bout and put both titles on the line.
So why become a contender first? The WBA ranking may be legitimate, but the motive behind it remains considerably less clear.
