Often in the sport of Boxing after a year that saw plenty of
action and also opened possibilities as to what may happen in the next year,
topics of discussion among both Boxing fans and experts alike tend to center on
what was the best fight of the previous year and/or what potential fights may
be in store for the new year. Although such discussions are very interesting,
what sometimes should also be talked about is what could benefit the sport as a
whole in the New Year.
This observer has over the years and will continue to
discuss various subjects that occur in the sport as they emerge. One thing that
I have not discussed too often after a busy year is what I believe could
benefit the sport as a new year begins. Even though there are likely several
things that readers could say about the subject of what could benefit Boxing, I
will offer three topics that in my opinion could have long-term benefits for
the sport in 2015.
Many would say that one of the biggest stories in the sport
in 2014 was the end of what some have called Boxing’s cold war as promoters Bob
Arum and Oscar De La Hoya have stated that they are willing to work together
again in order to bring fights between each promoter’s stable of fighters to
fruition. Although some may be skeptical that this will be something that will
last, if a working relationship between the two promoters does serve the
purpose in signing fights that will draw the interest of Boxing fans it will
ultimately work out for the sport’s benefit.
What may be seen as an obstacle by some however, will be the
agreements between the promoters and television networks like HBO and Showtime.
This observer believes that if all parties involved come together and are
willing to work together in order to bring marquee fights to fruition that it
will ultimately benefit not only the sport, not only the fans of the sport, but
will benefit the parties involved even if it were on an occasional basis.
Another subject that to some drew attention last year which
could benefit the sport in 2015 is three of the sport’s major sanctioning
organizations the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Council
(WBC), and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) began meeting to discuss
various issues that surround the sport of Boxing. There are some who may
believe that the sport’s sanctioning organizations may not have the best
interest of the sport or it’s fans. The leaders of the WBA, WBC, and IBF
establishing an ongoing dialogue between each other however, should be viewed
as a positive. A positive particularly if it leads to unification of each of Boxing’s
seventeen weight classes in order to establish one undisputed champion per
division.
This process has seemingly begun in both the Heavyweight and
Light-Heavyweight divisions as there are two recognized champions in each
division, Wladimir Klitschko and Bermane Stiverne in the Heavyweight division, Adonis
Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev in the Light-Heavyweight division. Even though it
is not set in stone that an undisputed champion will emerge in either weight
class in 2015, I believe that Boxing fans should be optimistic that one
champion will eventually emerge in each division.
With three of the five major sanctioning organizations
establishing an ongoing dialogue, it is my hope that the leaders of the World
Boxing Organization (WBO) and the International Boxing Organization (IBO)
eventually will be involved in these discussions with the WBA, WBC, and IBF.
Much as is the case with rival promoters and television networks, if the
sanctioning organizations come together and all having the same goal of
improving the sport, if it can last, it will promote long-term benefits.
Finally, a subject that I feel could benefit from the
ongoing dialogue between the sport’s sanctioning organizations is the subject
of interim/regular “champions.” Readers over the years have become accustomed
to seeing this observer refer to fighters who are designated as an interim
“champion” as simply having interim/regular champion status in regard to a
sanctioning organization’s ratings in any weight class.
The subject of interim/regular “champions” as well as other
designated titles has led readers to ask me over the years to help them
understand what it all means in the grand scheme of things. Although the
purpose of having an interim status would appear to be in place if in the event
a unified or undisputed champion is either injured or refuses to defend their
title against a sanctioning organization’s mandatory challenger, and does serve
a purpose ensuring that if a title is vacated that fighters who hold interim
status either are elevated to champion or placed in a fight to determine a new
champion, the concept although well-intentioned has created more confusion than
it has created solutions.
Even though it has become commonplace for Boxing experts to
routinely criticize and ridicule the sport’s sanctioning organizations, this
observer will not criticize the organizations in this instance. I will however,
offer my opinion and suggest that the concept of interim/regular/emeritus
“champions” should be rethought and simplified. I applaud the leaders of the
WBC, WBA, and IBF for establishing a dialogue and hope that not only it
continues, but that other sanctioning organizations that are currently not
involved become involved. Conferences between all five sanctioning
organizations can only serve the purpose of improving the sport overall.
The three topics I have discussed and have offered my
opinion on will likely leave some with the impression that I am perhaps overly
optimistic. Although all I can offer is my opinion, it is my hope in 2015 that
the progress that was made in 2014 in regard to these topics will continue.
For those who have regularly read my work over the years
there has been one consistent theme throughout all the various topics that I
have regularly discussed. “What will benefit the sport?” Of course, there will
be those who will choose to point out the negatives of the sport. Although
Boxing has had more than its share of black eyes in regard to things that has
left the sport open to much ridicule, Boxing as a whole has never seen the
count of ten. Boxing as other sports
continues to evolve. This can only be viewed as a “Positive!” If everything remains the same and nothing
changes, then why discuss it at all?
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison
All Rights Reserved.
