World Boxing Association

:WBA is also an abbreviation for West Bromwich Albion F.C., an English football team.

Origins

The original sanctioning body of professional boxing, the World Boxing Association (WBA) can be traced back to the original National Boxing Association (of the United States), organized in 1921; the first bout recognized by the organization being the Jack Dempsey-Georges Carpentier Heavyweight Championship bout in New Jersey.

Related Topics:
United States - 1921 - Jack Dempsey - Georges Carpentier - New Jersey

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The world at the time was recovering from a war, and many athletes had joined the military to defend their colors, so boxing became a way for many to entertain themselves.

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Promoter Tex Rickard, an NBA benefactor and the Don King of his day, helped put on some of its title fights, many of which made history.

Related Topics:
Tex Rickard - Don King

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But Rickard died unexpectedly in 1931 of appendicitis, and the NBA had to rely more on their champions' ability to make themselves household names. By then, the great and legendary Joe Louis was approaching his championship years, and he won the World Heavyweight title in 1937, holding it until 1949, and taking the NBA and boxing through another war. The fact Louis and many other champions joined the war and often came back to the United States to defend their titles made National Boxing Association champions look even more heroic and patriotic.

Related Topics:
1931 - Appendicitis - Joe Louis - Heavyweight - 1937 - 1949 - United States

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Boxing became more and more popular with the advent of television during the 1950s, the homecomings of many fighters, and the appearance of many new, young talented fighters.

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In 1962 the NBA, faced with world changes after World War II and the Korean War, and with the growth of boxing's popularity world-wide, changed its name officially to WBA, or World Boxing Association.

Related Topics:
1962 - World War II - Korean War

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