Tainted Sport: Boxing on the Path to Self Destruction?

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This Weekend will mark a unique one for boxing fans, unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. We have two matches that probably signify why boxing doesn't have that mainstream appeal anymore, save for a few fighters.

The first is a 59 year Old Evader Holyfield who will be stepping in the ring against a former Kickboxing champion and man 14 years his junior Viktor Belfort in an exhibition match. If you ask any hardcore boxing fan, they would tell you that there are all sorts of wrong with this potential bout.

Firstly, not only is the boxing legend Holyfield just a few years away from becoming a senior citizen, and thus having no business in a boxing ring at his age; but his opponent has virtually no boxing pedigree or experience making it an essentially meaningless fight.

These matches which are sanctioned as unofficial boxing matches by sanctioning bodies are nothing but money grabs, and they have not pretended to be anything else. Inspired by the success of Mike Tyson's exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jnr, boxing legends well past their prime have been scrambling for a chance at one more paycheck.

The problem with these bouts is that no only is boxing a sport with legitimate safety concerns, it also takes off the spotlight (or at least shares it unfairly) with active professionals trying to make a name for themselves.

Perhaps if there was a mass rejection of such bouts then they won't even be considered. However, while it appears that hardcore boxing fans have largely rejected these moves, many casuals still turn on their TV boxes probably out of nostalgia. This has been what promoters have been quick to point out, but I'll leave it to you to decide if there is such a thing as bad publicity or not.

Show of Shame

As if that wasn't enough, we have another bout involving an athlete who tested positive for a banned substance but was licensed anyway allow his match proceed. Champion Oscar Valdez tested positive to a banned substance Phentermine, which is among the prohibited substances by VADA (Voluntary Anti Doping Association) but was still awarded a liscence by one of the numerous state liscencing bodies for boxing in the U.S, who defended their decision based on a technicality.

Even for sports with apparent zero tolerance for banned substances like Athletics, the numerous failed tests in the past have been a big hit on their integrity. With Boxing's already damaged reputation in that right (as numerous athletes have tested positive out of competition), this particular bout will be like a decisive blow (pun intended) to the integrity of the sport.

Fans are Watching

As stated, these actions have not gone unnoticed by boxing fans who have voiced out their displeasure over the years by exploring other options. We have seen a mass migration of fans from boxing to mixed martial arts and these sorts of moves will only accelerate further defections in the future. Eventually, the sport might cross the point of no return and potentially cease from being regarded as a mainstream sport.



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4 comments
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Boxing is a disgrace right now and have lost the plot. Any proper boxing fan will not be watching as this is not something we want to see. Banned substances are quite common with a few champions still fighting after being caught more than once which should have a life time ban and not a slap on the wrist. I love watching the bigger fights but haven't watched for a few years now and it has kind of lost me.

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I doubt they'll win too many newcomers with these money grabbing ventures

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No they wont and did you see Donald Trump is doing commentary on the Holyfield fight. How low can one go lol.

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