Are Exhibition Bouts a Benefit For Retired Fighters?

Are Exhibition Bouts a Benefit For Retired Fighters?

By Lewie Laing

Whilst Floyd Mayweather Jr’s latest heist within the world of boxing received mainly negative reviews, exhibitions, in general, could be a saviour for fighters retiring from the professional ranks.

The thought for this came after seeing Amir Khan, tweet following Mayweathers’ exhibition bout against former reality star, MMA fighter and current 1-0 boxer, Aaron Chalmers. Khan was basically pondering if he should enter the exhibition circuit after being asked to do so by an unnamed source. Khan, Mayweather, exhibition bouts, you can see where my mind went at that moment!

Granted, we see too many professional bouts happen long past their sell-by date, while some fail to materialise entirely. Why would we now want to see two retired fighters, past their best, facing off against each other with no winner or prize on the line? Add that to the fact, more than likely, the cost to attend or watch from home will be a handsome amount for no genuine end product.

Had circumstances been different, I probably would have liked to attend Mayweathers latest exhibition, purely to see a master of his craft at work, even if not the most vintage performance against a world-class opponent. As fans, unless you headed to America during his career, we haven’t had the chance to see one of the best to lace them up, put on a boxing clinic here on the Uk shores until the aforementioned exhibition. Not what it once was with nowhere near the same appeal, but nonetheless, still a unique and memorable occasion for anyone who is a fan of his. He certainly didn’t look 46.

Another ring legend and former Mayweather foe, Ricky Hatton, faced off in his beloved Manchester, against Marco Antonio Barrera last year, a bout in that Hatton seemed to make peace with boxing.

Many fighters retire and suddenly the world swallows them up. Routines are no longer there, the ‘boxer’ title is stripped from their identity, a boxing gym is no longer a place they call home with gym mates no longer people they call family on a day-to-day basis. It is daunting and for most, the biggest fight they face. Plucked from a world where there are many snakes and pitfalls, yet a place that gives income, purpose and structure, to an abyss of uncertainty and worries, and one in which most find themselves void of identity and any direction.

We are now in a world where YouTubers and influences use their audiences to battle it out inside the ring. The standard is poor, but their crowds love it and the arenas are packed out from the opening bell. Amateur boxing shows are often sell-out affairs albeit, on a smaller scale, obviously. White-collar boxing events (usually black tie), see novice boxers go through an 8-week camp and have a bout at an event, where a portion of the proceeds go to charity, they also sell particularly well. I am not in any way comparing the events above to one another or directly with exhibition bouts but boxing does sell and so it offers the question; could exhibition bouts and events be an aid to fighters lost in the retirement wasteland, forgotten until bad choices lead to videos and posts appear on social media shaming individuals who have fallen on hard times, financially and mentally. 

As a sport, more needs to be done for boxers who are cast aside once their time expires in the pro ranks. Many, however, box on purely because they know nothing else or don’t have the correct structures in place to be able to retire comfortably. Exhibitions could offer a helping hand. It goes without saying, not all fighters have the marketable ability or storylines to draw in huge crowds, but neither does every fighter you see on largely one-sided boxing cards served up these days and still, we tune in.

There are many ways this could work, one-off events, the odd exhibition or two on main boxing cards, national tours in different cities with a roster of ex-pros facing each other (weight dependent), just off the top of my head. There are a large group of core boxing fans to cater for, as seen with talk-ins and such like events. Why not give back to those who have given us so much throughout their careers? It will not suit or be wanted by all, fighters and fans alike. However, as seen with masters football for example, where ex-pros play in teams, against each other, fans love the nostalgia and watching those they grew up watching and supporting. Yes, there are winners and losers with champions crowned at the end but it is fan-friendly and it sells, which is the overall point here. Maybe a winner could be announced, in an exhibition, maybe fight-worn shorts and gloves could be raffled or auctioned to those in attendance, photo opportunities, meet and greets at the event, bridge the gap between fans and their heroes, enticing fans all for a good cause. Not all events need to be PPV and sold as something that it is not.

Change is happening whether hardcore fans like it or not in the world of boxing, look no further than the tag team match put on by Misfits. Change is needed for boxers heading into retirement alone and vulnerable, an exhibition bout, training camp and the chance of earning money either for charity, themselves or both, could go a long way and save more than just a boxer’s life. Families and friends can also be impacted, they watch helplessly as their loved one (retired fighter) falls deeper into the darkness with no sign of light to which they are so accustomed.

Exhibition bouts and events won’t offer all the answers, but they certainly could provide some, to those who need them most.

Photo Credit: Getty Images