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.

Fighters have been allowed the title of the pound for pound number one (namely Floyd Mayweather and Roy Jones Jr.) whilst their own opponents have either been of questionable quality, or over the hill. Floyd Mayweather recently opted to fight Manuel Marquez, despite the likes of Paul Williams, Joshua Clottey, Shayne Mosley and Miguel Cotto all being available to him. While nobody is disputing the talent of Mayweather, how can he truly be considered a great, whilst fighting the likes of Ricky Hatton (who for years refused to fight former WBC champion Junior Witter) and faded stars such as Arturo Gatti, De la Hoya and the late Diego Corrales? 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)? Clearly something needs to be done to prevent stellar fighters avoiding each other.

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.