De La Hoya-Pacquiao: What’s So Super About This?
December 4th, 2008
By Mark Boyles: I’ve noticed this trend forming, and it’s quite disturbing to a purist like me. The big money, marquee name fighters out there are stealing the show. This weekend, there’s more money and apparently more interest in the De La Hoya Vs. Pacquiao fight than in what should be an exceptionally good title fight in Nottingham with two up-and-coming undefeated future stars in Froch and Pascal. Call me old fashioned, but I don’t understand it at all.
You’ve got a guy that made his name fighting at 120lbs getting into the ring at 150 against a fighter many seem to think is over the hill, how is that more exciting than the recently vacated super middleweight championship of the world?
I realise that money is the key factor, and Manny will probably pocket more money by fighting Oscar in Vegas than he would by defending his lightweight world title a few times against mandatory fighters, however, it seems to me that a world title is no longer the biggest accolade. Look at Froch, he’s talking about winning a world title and getting a shot at Calzaghe (unlikely, but why not let him dream?) or Jermain Taylor, (who opted to fight Jeff Lacy instead of Froch, presumably because HBO would pay more to watch two Americans pummel each other). To me, as a fan of the sport, it seems quite sad.
Tags: 3 Responses to “De La Hoya-Pacquiao: What’s So Super About This?”
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Im with Mr Boyles on this.
I have enjoyed these big showcase fights between big names at catchweights, who hasnt?, But at the end of the day in the terms of sport and progression they are completely meaningless.
Im a sports fan and I want fights that answer big questions, title fights and eliminators answer questions.
I want to see the journey of a young boxer progressing and getting better, facing tougher guys as he moves up the ladder.
The governing bodies in boxing need to keep an eye on this or maybe even look at changing some rules. Carl Froch isnt a big name and has struggled to get the big fights, Hes certainly earnt the right to be considered for big fights though. Money has stopped it happening.
Theres many great matchups out there that aint happening for the old same reasons and that needs to be looked at, these fights should be made to happen.
It doesnt happen in other sports, football teams dont get to pick and choose which other teams to play. they are told who to play and when to play them and they have to.
Boxing, for the good of the sport, needs to match up fights that should be happening and make them happen and not have money talk spoil everything. Moneys still important obviously but so is competition.
you don’t understand it because you are stupid its all about the bigger names and the money. these huge fights appeal to wider audiences and create hype no one knows who carl froach is and they dont care