Are Tournaments Good For Boxing?

By Boxing News - 01/12/2011 - Comments

By Alex Aviles: There has been discussion as to whether the Super Six Tournament was good for boxing or a bust. Personally, I believe the super six has helped the careers of of all involved. Ask yourself if the boxing mainstream media and fans has ever taken notice of the likes of Carl Froch, Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, and the most regarded of them all Andre Ward before Showtime presented us with this super middleweight tournament.

One thing’s for sure, the super middleweight division is the best its ever been since Roy Jones Jr and James Toney were the top names at 168 pounds.

With that in mind, the proposition for other tournaments would be great for the sport to showcase another division that has all the tools to provide great fights. The obvious one would have to be the 140lb junior welterweight division. The division is stacked by fighters coming from every major boxing promotion and isn’t dominated solely by Top Rank. A tournament would start a resurgence in popularity for boxing the likes that hasn’t been seen since the early 2000s. The tournament format’s advantage over ‘championship eliminators’ will be that there will be no matter of “Can this fight happen?

Will this fight happen?” when a well structured tournament is in play. Also, to avoid the stigma that has faced the Super Six when fighters withdraw from the tournament, on the contract should state only withdrawal should come through injury. Two tournament fights would have to be broadcasted on the same show to speed the tournament up and build interest right away for the next tournament show.

Co-promotion is a big factor here and no promoters will be “protecting” their fighters.

All in all tournaments generate immediate interest. Fights will occur barring any loopholes. Showcasing up and coming talent in this fashion would not only entice fans and media alike, but the sport would have the boost of mainstream attention it’s been lacking for the passed several years. Readers, what do you think?



Comments are closed.