Legendary boxing trainer, Emanuel Steward has criticised the way boxing is being run and said that major changes need to happen for the sport to redeem itself.
Speaking to the BBC, Steward stated: “There’s only one major fight the public is interested in – two little fellas, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, who most likely will never fight. Boxing’s not in good shape. It’s more of a business now and it’s hurting boxing. We need to return to an era when the best fight the best and it wasn’t all about money and egos.
“Unless some drastic changes come about, I don’t like the way things are looking for boxing. There’s not one dream heavyweight fight – you’ve got Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko and nobody else. That’s not good.”
“What made that [1980s] era great was that they fought each other. They could have played politics but they were true warriors. The money is there [for Mayweather-Pacquiao], the two guys would make a minimum of $50m apiece, and it still can’t be made because of egos. Times have changed and it really frustrates me!”
This writer feels that what Steward said is speaking for the millions of boxing fans, writers and other people associated with the sport around the world. Money has become the dominant factor in whether a major fight develops and it seems that many promoters only care about lining their own pockets rather than giving the public what they want. The masses of arm chair fans may be pleased with fights that appear great on paper but people who know their stuff really know the score as far as knowing the quality that they are actually receiving.
I thought last year was actually a good year for boxing. Haye vs Klitschko finally happened, Morales vs Maidana turned out to be a very competitive affair, Bradley and Alexander unified the light-welterweight division, the Super Six tournament concluded and Khan vs Peterson was an entertaining upset to end the year, to name a few.
Unfortunately the first half of this year looks a little uninspired in terms of match line-ups.
Nobody seems to care less about Dawson vs Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez is on the comeback trail after being “robbed” against Pacquiao, Brandon Rios is fighting Richard Abril, a guy that has stepped in place after Gamboa pulled out, Jermain Taylor is having yet another comeback fight which shouldn’t happen for fear of his health and Shane Mosley is being served up on a plate once again as a punch bag against Saul Alvarez.
But all is not bad! Froch vs Bute, Mayweather vs Cotto and Khan vs Peterson II should satisfy both the die hard fans and masses alike. Pacquao vs Bradley should also rightfully appeal but unfortunately the Californian fighter is not a huge ticket seller and never has been so the likelihood is that will be a solely Manny Pacquiao event. Ortiz vs Berto II, if it should imitate the pattern of it’s predecessor, should also be thrilling!
But Wladimir Klitschko vs Tony Thompson, the rematch? That belongs in the garbage bin along with the already mentioned Alvarez vs Mosley fight.
Boxing….please….do everyone a favour!
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