The Future of boxing?
November 6th, 2009
By Kwame Cinquez: I place a scenario in front of you, quite a ridiculous one I’m sure you would agree. Imagine Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal (No1 + 2 in the WTP Rankings) refusing to face an opponent in a ranked tournament, instead playing a more lucrative exhibition match against an opponent of clearly inferior quality (but far more popular tennis player). This may indeed seem preposterous, but this is indeed the state of contemporary boxing.
I write this article as a passionate boxing fan who is in danger of becoming disillusioned with the sport. Some boxing writers have warned about the growth of MMA as a rival to Boxing. I for one dispute that MMA will replace boxing. The type of people who watch MMA are not necessarily boxing fans as the lack of technique, revenue and pugilistic perhaps brings MMA fans more closer to those of the WWE and extreme bloodsports than a truly respected martial art such as boxing. I believe this to be a major distinguishing factor between the two. However, there is a growing consensus within both sports that MMA provides a far more meritocratic basis for major fights, something that with the exception of the recently organised “Super six” super middleweight tournament is undoubtedly true.
The myriad of belts, the lack of communication between the governing bodies, and the lack of transparency between the rankings all present problems for bringing the most attractive fights to the table. But is quite sad to imagine fighters such as Muhammad Ali and George Foreman never meeting, or Marving Hagler and Tommy Hearns never fighting, as is the position we now find ourselves in. Boxing is, when executed between two fine pugilists, an art form of the highest order. However, the continuing trend for ‘easy fights’ and avoidance of top fighters will only further diminish our beautiful sport.
What I propose is for a complete overhaul of the boxing system, or at least a mandatory agreement between the different governing bodies to allow their top two fighters into some form of elite league of tournament. I believe this to be the fairest way to gage the best fighters of our era. Whilst it may not be in the interests of Frank Warren and Don King, it may well provide the lifeline that our sport needs to preserve itself. Boxing at its peak was a sport of the people, for the people. It is indeed time to return to our roots.
Tags: 26 Responses to “The Future of boxing?”
Leave a Reply
please use above banner to link back to us!
Great article, but its not in the interests of the powers to change a thing, shame though, good points…
Outstanding article.
Articulated perfectley the thoughts of all fight fans on the current state of boxing.
The following is a quote from Bernard Hopkins that was made march 2007 in the ring magazine. ” That’s the way the fight game is now. With the lack of talent, right now an average guy can become great in boxing. And if your beyond average, then you can stand out and glide a long time.” I hate to say it but there is a lot of truth in what BH said. The promoters in the States need to start putting some money into the amateur programs across the country. I remember when the golden gloves use to be front page news in my home town of Memphis Tenn. not now.
‘Just how great can we regard the recently retired (undefeated) Joe Calzaghe, when his most significant career wins, came against two fighters way past their peak (Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jnr)?’
Chris Eubank, Mikkel Kessler, Jeff Lacy
do ur research before u say stupid things.
By observing what i posted will reveal the nature of the game
If u add more weight and retain speed= to firepower.My discovery of Pacman advantage is true and correct.Any way who will stop the fight on the night of the fight. One reason he has more stamina the night of the fight
Nobody can say Mayweather is the most talented. This is BS.. Pretty Boy “looks” great and outstanding in the ring only because he fights the inferior boxers. Let us see him do his dancing with great welterweights like Cotto and Mosley. Mayweather a P4P King?? Bul@%$*!!
Miguel will be hitting air; he is too slow, Manny’s foot-work will frustrate Miguel to the point that he will hold Manny’s head with one hand & punch with his head with his free hand; like how Oscar & Ricky did. Miguel will have to resort to cheat tactics…no worries, Manny’s got it covered…he will slap his gloves in protest, he will suck-it-up & BANG throws his right hook for the KO & Miguel will wake-up in Puerto Rico’s canefields thinking he won………
Im an MMA fan just as I love boxing. One is sweet science and the other a legitimate fight you can use in real life. Both are sports but I would have to say MMA is slowly becoming the favorite. The younger people sport Tapout shirts and spike has one of the biggest TV draws in ultimate fighter and unlike boxing, the fans still love and watch the loser regardless if he lost because the fans have more respect for fighters in that sport. In boxing its more of an on the top or nothing. Like a fad unless you are undisputed. And even then its not like you have people going around talking about this weeks boxing challenges or wearing all the clothing of all fighters. If you ask all the young kids in the world about sports, they will tell you more about fighters of MMA then even the biggest football stars. So MMA hasn’t completely taken over but as long as the youngest generation loves it the most. Then its only a matter of time.
Im an MMA fan just as I love boxing. One is sweet science and the other a legitimate fight you can use in real life. Both are sports but I would have to say MMA is slowly becoming the favorite. The younger people sport Tapout shirts and spike has one of the biggest TV draws in ultimate fighter and unlike boxing, the fans still love and watch the loser regardless if he lost because the fans have more respect for fighters in that sport. In boxing its more of an on the top or nothing. Like a fad unless you are undisputed. And even then its not like you have people going around talking about this weeks boxing challenges or wearing all the clothing of all fighters. If you ask all the young kids in the world about sports, they will tell you more about fighters of MMA then even the biggest football stars. So MMA hasn’t completely taken over but as long as the youngest generation loves it the most. Then its only a matter of time.
I just wanna see the best fight the best! Not Mosley ducked and Pacman ducked. Asking for 60-40 over the 1# p4p is another way of ducking. Floyd has the talent to possibly win if his mouth shuts up and he allows his gloves to do the talking for him.
Boxing is corrupt and it aint gonna be fixed. Too much politics…
mma does take alot of conditoning for rollling around on the mat with another dude kinda fruity ya dig???
I’m a boxing fan and an MMA fan and let me tell you, most people i know would rather watch MMA than boxing. MMA does not have a bunch of chickens like Mayweather. They have real fighters that will jump an the chance to fight any other fighter and if you don’t belive that MMA takes a hell of a lot more skill and conditioning than boxing give it a try.
I agree with everything you said except your comments on MMA, which I believe are biased, ignorant, and disrespectful.
WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF should create a tournament with the four belt holders to face off against each other to see who really is the best amongst a particular weight.
Obviously will never happen though.
floyd will show why he is taking back p4p tag,
I agree, I think that If the four main governing bodies (WBA,WBC,WBO, IBF) conducted thier rankings together so that each had the same top ten (hopefully leading to one champion holding all four titles). It would be easier to see who is the best in each respective weight division and would be harder for fighters who don’tdeserve to be in the top ten to get into them. What would be even better is if when the big four did this they hired an independent outside organisation, such as boxrec, to conduct thess rankings for them.
Hi, i completely agree with everything in the article apart from one thing – boxing is not a martial art and never will be.
yep this has been going on a while now. I was suprised that so many top quality boxers choose to pick their path rather than go chasing the big names.
Boxing is becomming more business than sport and its not up to the boxers, promoters or managers to shake the sport up its up to the governing bodies, and theres enough of them. They are too relaxed about not pushing or forcing the correct fights.
People are going on about David Haye not having deserved a title shot, they are right he hasnt. But its being allowed to happen.
Great article!!!
Thing is Dave, Mayweather should have knocked him out, you can’t just beat a smaller fighter like marquez, Pacman floored him 4 times in 2 fights, mayweather any floored him once in that fight
two things hopkins ‘over the hill’ lost to calzaghe but yet he becomes at his peak and still the best at light heavy when he demolished the ‘best middleweight’ pavlik
and jmm is obvously small for floyd may but it was a tough tune up fight for the pacman and thoughly one-sided and was to prove he could nock jmm about but pacman cant
vrodz, agreed with you totally, fighters like cotto and mosley should be given more recognition, Mayweather must prove himself if he wants to go down as one of the world greats
Excellant article, mandatory defences are ruining boxing and as you say MMA will never take over boxing it hasn’t got the legends like boxing. some very good points, great job.
I agree totally. I mean when you a Floyd Mayweather ranked #1 WW but he has not faced any of the top ten or top twenty for that matter WW. On the other had you have a Miguel Cotto that has faced at least four of the top ten and mosley that has faced three of the top ten beneath him. It makes no sense. Their is no doubt Mayweather is the most talented but he has not proven it againts his best opposition yet.