Boxing: What is the state of the sport, has it seen glory days?

By Kevin Goode
Paraglide

January 26, 2012

	Photo by Metro Creative Connection

Is boxing dead?

I wouldn’t say boxing is dead, but the sport is definitely on the ropes receiving a standing eight count.

Even though pugilism has a rich history, dating back as far as 600 B.C., the sport struggles to remain relevant today.

Even with some of the necessary tools to reenergize a frustrated boxing fan base, boxing chooses to ignore the wishes of its fans.

Interest in welterweight contenders, Floyd Mayweather and Manni Pacquio began in 2008. Yet to date, the two fighters have never come any closer than a war of words on the twittersphere.

The lack of progress in getting these two fighters in the ring is not because of a lack of fan interest, but rather because the two opposing camps continue to keep avoiding this fight.

In almost every other sports, the two highest ranked contenders are put on a collision course to meet at some point and decide the winner. In boxing, it doesn’t necessarily work out that way.

Boxing at this point reminds me of MySpace. Nobody uses it anymore. It used to be the king, but it’s not the only gig in town.

One of boxing’s biggest problem is its inability to reach to the next generation of fans
It speaks volumes that more Americans recognize Nicole Elizabeth “Snooki” Polizzi, a cast member from MTV’s reality television series “The Jersey Shore” than current boxing Heavy weight champion Vitali Klychko.

I know that the boxing world is hoping and praying that somewhere out there is another Mike Tyson-type boxer waiting to save boxing, but it may be time to take the talent that is available and give the fans what they want.

Ultimate Fight Championship is here and more than happy to take disenfranchised boxing fans.
I don’t think the UFC is the death of boxing, but rather fans might be witnessing boxing evolve to its newest form.

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