By Tom Drury: This article is going to concentrate on boxing promoters and how they are affecting the sport of boxing. Boxing is on the rise again and we have had the pleasure of witnessing some great fights in 2012. 2013 is also looking good with Floyd Mayweather Jr back in the ring in May, a possible fifth match-up between Manny Paquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez and many of the young prospects set to make a breakthrough.
It has been clear for many years that the top promoters in the sport are pulling the strings in some cases denying the fans from witnessing great fights. There is no doubt boxing needs promoters especially the ones at the top of there game Bob Arum (Top Rank), Richard Schaefer & Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy), among others. These promoters are masters of generating money and marketing fights to the boxing fans around the world. Of course while generating great deals of money for themselves. I have no problem with promoters in general and the money they make. My problem is when personal issues between promoters and fighters prevent good and great match-ups from being made.
Floyd “Money” Mayweather-Bob Arum (Top Rank) is the ultimate example of personal issues becoming involved in the process of making a fight happen. I will not talk about this scenario much as I feel the Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight has lost all momentum and interest more so with the devastating K.O Paquiao has recently suffered. This fight without question should have happened in 2009 when both fighters were in there prime and dominating opponents with ease not only have we been denied as boxing fans but because of the stature of those two fighters the world has been denied a great sporting event and not to mention the revenues it would have generated for Las Vegas and the economy.
The fallout between Mayweather and Arum has been highly publicized for many years ever since Mayweather left the Top Rank stable which has turned out to be the best business move Mayweather could’ve made. Mayweather commonly uses the phrase “If it makes money it makes sense” this should apply to promoters also. Arum and Mayweathers fallout should not have been allowed to become an obstacle in making a fight that would make history.
The problem with boxing being there is no stable governing bodies or government that could stop these kind of travesties from happening and the sport needs it now more than ever to make sure it doesn’t happen in the future. Boxing as a sport relies on the fans. Without the fans there is no currency so as a rule we should not be denied the fights we want to see.
Boycotting fights is not going to happen and it shouldn’t as there are still many great match-ups happening but as fans something has to be done to stop certain promoters acting like in my opinion “Legal Gangsters”. There needs to be a governing body that can overrule promoters when it comes to making fights like the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. As I’ve said not only do we as fans lose out but so do the fighters and most of all the economy. Like your thoughts as fans on this issue.
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