Would you say the sport of boxing is in decline?

Question

What can be done to bring it back to the prominence it had in the years gone by?
( To me it seems that boxing has been on a downslide for the last decade or so )
I pose this question as a man who is a true fan of the sport.

Please read the whole question. Thanks for your input.

kehkohjones- all the points you brought up are valid. I don't remember saying that I doubted or there was no real reason for the decline.

Answer 1

Interesting question Brent F! Yes I believe that boxing has been on a decline for some time now. I believe one of the reasons why is promotion. You hear about a pay per view event that you have to fork out $50 for with fighters you may not know too much about! I used to watch fights on Friday nights from the Forum and knew who the fighters were. Then on Saturday you could see a great match sometimes on Wide World of Sports or even on other channels. I saw Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Pipino Cuevas, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Carlos Monzon, Alex Arguello, Roberto Duran and countless other fighters all the time without having to pay for a pay for view match! Also you use to could go into any drug store of super market and pick up a good Ring magazine but it's not that way anymore. I am too a true fan of the sport and will always be one but I believe that boxing should use the example of the past to bring it back to past glory. Thanks for allowing my input to this great question sir.

Answer 2

If you're a fan of the sport, you'll know that many of the series of recent screwy decisions have had a great deal with the decline of Boxing. These questionable decisions are what you'd expect on "professional" wrestling.

Also, why is it that one fight can lose a fight or a championship fight and still earn more than the winner? I mean, OK, so he "draws" in a good crowd and interest for the TV-paying viewers... but so will whoever beats him; that is no reason to pay him, as the loser, more than the boxer that whupped him! What's wrong with the WINNER taking home more pay at the end of the fight?

Now you have referees that blatantly favor one boxer over the other... recent fight involving heavyweights where the loser was an American...?

Also, with the likes of crooks like Don King... come on, get real, you really don't think there's a reason for the decline? The public is tired of the likes of these parasites that get rich over the blood, sweat and tears of the boxers!

Or, how about Pretty Boy Floyd ducking a contender because HE "feels Margarito ain't done nothing [sic] to merit fightin' " him? He's offered 8 million and the challenger won't even net close to $1 million... clearly, he's just nothing more than chicken-poop and he's making the sport look bad; he's afraid of facing someone who can potentially bring him to a higher level of excellence or bit the living dog crap outta him! Pound for pound the greatest boxer or the greatest Taurus excretia spewer?

How about the Athletic Commission that NEVER questioning a decision that is more than questionable and although they supposedly have the power to overturn decisions they never have? Who do they cater to, the sport or the likes of Arum, King et al? Gimme a break! Do you still doubt that the sport of boxing in in decline?

Answer 3

Brent F ~
Anyone who reads and answers the questions in this forum doesn't and shouldn't doubt you sincerity and compassion for this sport, my sport, boxing. In my opinion Greed has forever changed the landscape of Boxing from it's fighters to promoters to the networks money, money money. The final heydays of the sport in my mind were no doubt the 80's. The average fight fan could at least name off four to five World Champions. You could turn on NBC, CBS and ABC on any weekend and find an entertaining fight now, there's the Wal-Marts of television HBO and Showtime and their PPV broadcast. You have "Champions" refusing to fight the very best in their division because "The money ain't right!" and we as fans of this great sport will happily lay down $44.95 to watch this garbage. You have promoters insisting that their fighters take no-risk and easy paydays to the highest bidder. You have Boxing Organizations charging over $3,000 for sanctioning fees to their Champions to fight for their very own title. It's across the board, lousy judging, higher ticket prices and terrible refereeing. I wish Brad F that this would all go away and take us back to the days when the fighters had desire and integrity and fought the very best to prove that they were the very best. There are nomore Armstrongs, Marcianos, Moores, Peps, Haglers, Durans, Mancinis, Haugens , Pintors, Hiltons, Ramos, Quawis, Brambles, O'Gradys, Zarates, Sanchezs, Norris, Jacksons and all the other great and honorable fighters that took into consideration that we, The Fans ulimately make them Superstars and Legends. Thank you for yet another great question Brent F.

Answer 4

I think boxing has been in decline for more like 30yrs. Pay per view and low life promoters have all but thrown the last shovel full of dirt on boxing's grave. Like you I have been a true fan all my life and it breaks my heart to see whats become of the sport.however I don't think the goverment should involve itself in trying to clean up or revive the sweet science. Goverment has no place in sports and should focus it attention more important matters. Like you I pray the sport survives but the outlook is grim I'm sorry to say.
Tom

Answer 5

With ultimate fighting and other more brutal, gruesome hand to hand sports on the rise, boxing doesn't look as competetive as it has in the past.

-Newer fighting sports don't have the restrictions boxing has.
-Even huge fights are not Pay per View
-MTV and other younger generation focused channels are giving the new sport a lot of publicity.

I'm all for it. If the majority enjoys something on their own will, why not?

Answer 6

Get rid of Don King and don't let any more monopolistic promoters take his place. He "promotes" all the key fighters and has the WBC in his back pocket. Promoters should just promote, but he's controlling the sport to a large degree. I stopped really paying attention to boxingabout a decade ago, maybe a little longer and his practices are problably the root cause.

Answer 7

Agree it is in decline but there are some major sports with great marketing which have grown in popularity.

Answer 8

I am usually a romanticist but this time I will be a realist. This is the survival of the fittest, boxing must have the will to survive or suffer the consequences.

Answer 9

Yes definitly. And it should be the logical conclusion to becoming more civilized. Think about it. The goal is to pound the other guy to the point where they can't fight any more.

Boxing (and UFC) are only slightly below the gladitoral games of Rome and marginally above Football.

Answer 10

Ultimate Warrior. Traditional boxing is not what happens on the street....although to know boxing is great, but most of the time some jerk is going to grab you. The Ultimate Warrior is the way of the future.