Despite The Boom, The Same Old Problems Remain in Boxing

Despite The Boom, The Same Old Problems Remain in Boxing.

We don’t have to cast our minds back too far, to remember when boxing was apparently on its knees, ready to be knocked out by the new kid on the block, the UFC. In 2018 the pendulum has swung, the UFC is currently on an off-peak period, waiting for a new Ronda Rousey, or the return of its biggest ever star to revitalise it’s flagging PPV market.

Boxing meanwhile is very much on the up, its demise has certainly been exaggerated.

With the likes of Floyd Mayweather leaving the sport, and seemingly no new stars on the horizon, the obituaries were being written, but boxing has recovered from its lull to perhaps being in one of its greatest ever periods.

That boom is especially noticeable in the UK, with stadium shows a regular occurrence. The UK market is of course led by Anthony Joshua, according to the latest Forbes list, the highest earner in the sport today.

But the likes of Kell Brook, Carol Froch, Josh Warrington have all played their part in massive outdoor PPV events in recent times. Frank Warren already has a stadium date waiting for Carl Frampton this summer and he no doubts hopes Tyson Fury will be in a position to do the same sometime in the very near future.

But despite the highs, the old problems sadly just wont go away. That ugly thing we call boxing politics as we currently stand, will rob us of the 3 best fights 2018 could give us.

My wish list at the start of the new year, would include the following 3 fights:

• Anthony Joshua v Deontay Wilder
• Kell Brook v Amir Khan
• Gennady Golovkin v Canelo Alvarez 2

The biggest fight in the sport is of course Joshua v Wilder, the winner would be crowned the undisputed world heavyweight champion. As feared it looks like this will not be happening this year, February next year the likely date. But will it happen at all, one punch can ruin all the best laid plans, and with both heavyweights showing vulnerabilities in the past, there is a real danger in waiting. What is there now, may not be there next year. Even if the fight does take place next year, because of the various mandatory requirements, it will probably not be for the undisputed title.

Despite both Brook and Khan being signed with Eddie Hearn, the fight is still light years away. Both look to be on completely different career paths, Khan wants to reclaim what was once his at welterweight, while Brook wants something he has never had, a world title at light middleweight. A catchweight bout is possible, but my views are still the same, one fighter wants it, the other does not. The clock is ticking, and it really is a case of this year or never, and if the fight is never made, both will have massive regrets when they look back on their careers once they are both retired, retirement for both isn’t that far away.

Arguments over purse splits has almost certainly ruined any hope of the GGG v Alvarez rematch. No fighter has yet beaten Golovkin in the ring, but with the IBF stripping him of his middleweight title in the last 24 hours, the judges denying him a victory in the 1st fight which most observers thought he has won, and the negotiations to make the rematch breaking down, the inner workings of the sport looks to be an opponent even the great Golovkin can’t yet beat.

In regards to all 3 fights, if there is a will, there is usually a way, sadly I think the will isn’t there and boxing fans will be denied some very special nights.

For all that is right with the sport, the old problems still remain and will still be there for generations to come, boxing really does shoot itself in the foot sometimes.