By Gerardo Granados: Love it or hate it but it is what it is, isn’t it? A friend of mine thinks that a paper title champion can avoid the mandatory challenger forever. He told me that there is one legit contender who has been avoided for a year now, that the contender is currently the number one ranked by two major boxing organizations and by one he is been the mandatory challenger for almost a full year now.
Boxing organizations statutory rules are made to be flexible in order to benefit fighters but it seems more likely to benefit big promoter’s earnings.
If the rules are made to be effective then them can´t be subjective or let the application to fit no personal interest or benefit. Maybe only at the amateurs we will get the chance see the rules been effective.
This hungry lion has the size, height and reach that fit his weight division standards. He is skilled and has good footwork and mobility, good speed and power but he is not worldwide known to the casual boxing fans. He is neither a European nor Latino fighter; let´s say he is a slick boxer. He is ranked on the number one spot since May by one of the major boxing organizations but this boxing organization privileges the super champion allowing him not to fight the mandatory challenger due honorary privileges awarded to him by the organization; for example the super title champion can be allowed not to fight the mandatory challenger by at least a couple of reasons according to the organization rules or as simple as if the committee allows him to do so.
It is not all bad for this dangerous contender because another boxing organization will give him the chance to dispute the vacant world title due his number one ranking, so it is time for him to prove he is a worthy challenger.
My friend asked: “Who would you prefer to face, a young prime contender or an old past prime? A 5´6” or 6´0” natural weight division boxer? A big risk fight or a big purse earning? How can a fighter achieve greatness?” I responded to him that pro boxing is a business after all, so you can be certain pro boxing isn´t perfect.
I asked my friend “for how long will you keep on watching?” and his answer was spontaneous followed by a big laugh: “Maybe I´ll keep watching forever, but I won´t pay to do so.”
So, for how long will a paper title champion avoid his mandatory challenger?
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