By Scott Brown: The sport of boxing is in desperate need of a shot in the arm. Not a steroid, or a testosterone, but perhaps a Vitamin B-12 shot to get it back on its feet. There were whispers of that when half-dollar (50 cent) threw in his hat as a promoter. With 50cent ability to make money and live lavishly, I believe his influence would be a net positive.

Competition is a good thing anywhere, as boxing fans we should welcome in anyone that changes the power structure of boxing. More promoters would lend to the idea of more customer choices.

Regardless, of who is promoting or weaseling we all want to see competitive fights. We want to see champs fight champs. We want to see duckers become brave and take on rivals. And it doesn’t hurt for them to have a personality. We also want clean decisions but as fans we will likely settle for a few of those.

The fight scheduled tonight provides that spark of hope for boxing. We have two champs competing against each other. Sergio Martinez seeks to reclaim the WBC middleweight title from Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The fight has already started as they both have exchanged some venomous barbs outside the ring. From the Faceoff with Max Kellerman on HBO, Martinez expressed that Chavez Jr did not deserve the belt, was babied with hand-picked fighters, and was living off the legend of his father. Chavez Jr. countered by calling Sergio a “ballerina” and that he dances in the ring like he is a part of a show. Chavez Jr. also shrugged off Martinez’s accusation of him living through his father and not being his own man, Chavez Jr. said He would be anyone he wanted when he knocks him out.

Words aside let see what’s really at stake and what sub-plots are lurking. Chavez Jr. is fighting for his rightful boxing status. This fight gives him enormous credibility if he is even competitive. If Chavez Jr. wins, this may give him a new identity away from his father, the legend. If he loses convincingly, it can be a lose-lose for Top Rank and Freddie Roach. Top rank losing a money maker and Freddie Roach with another high profile loss after being fired by Amir Khan.

Sergio Martinez winning could catapult him to the top of pound for pound rankings and a possible Mega fight with Mayweather. If he loses, perhaps an early retirement at 37 in California. Regardless of the outcome, Boxing like playoff games is best when stakes are high. It is best when the elite are facing each other. Boxing needs more of this.