Wednesday, June 17, 2009

This is how to not run a sport

50 Cent looks good with all of Mayweather's former titles. Too bad the former pound-for-pound king is taking forever to get back in the ring to try and get them back. 

So in my last blog, I sung the praises of combat sports, including boxing. It's a sport that never really lets me down — except for the times when it never actually happens of course. 

Many people say boxing is a dying sport. The first reason it will never die is because the Vegas gamblers will never leave and it has been Vegas that has always supported the sport. The second reason it won't die is because there will always be a Muhammed Ali, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather and now Manny Pacquiao. 

However, it may never catch on with mainstream attention again because it is hard to follow when big-name fighters pull out of bouts. This trend has been very popular within the last month. 

First we have David Haye pull out his highly anticipated fight with heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Klitschko. This one is especially heartbreaking since Haye was a breath of fresh air in a very stale division and he had talked so much trash, that it was sure to be a heated bout. 

Haye was devastated he had to pull out because of a back injury, and I truly believe he wanted the fight. He claims he wants to retire in about two years, though he is still very young, so we may never get to see this match happen. 

Haye is expected to fight in September, while Klitschko is going to defend on June 20 against Ruslan Chagaev. This will make it difficult for both fighters to even up their schedules to meet in the future. 

As if losing an exciting heavyweight bout wasn't enough, the biggest fight of the summer was recently canceled after Floyd Mayweather pulled out of his comeback fight against top pound-for-pound champion Juan Manuel Marquez. 

Pretty Boy Floyd severely injured his ribs and will not be able to meet JMM anymore. This, coupled with Manny Pacquiao's insane request that Miguel Cotto fight him at 143 pounds, makes it seem like everyone is trying to avoid each other. 

Pacman and Mayweather both know they can't afford losses if they want to set up their superfight, but at the same time neither man wants to fight each other right now. There is a good chance Pacman could get out-muscled by Cotto if he moved up to welterweight, and there is a good chance JMM could have beaten Mayweather. 

So for the time being, two of boxing's biggest stars will dance around negotiations while fans wait for something to develop. 

And if having all this turmoil among boxing's elite wasn't enough, one if it's fastest rising stars, Amir Khan, pulled out of his upcoming bout. But unlike the other fighters, Khan didn't want to scratch plans all together. Instead of fighting on June 27, the young prospect will get into the ring on July 18.

If boxing ever wants to draw a large fan base again, promoters are going to have to work harder to deliver on their promises of big fights. Injuries happen, that is to be expected. But if one happens, reschedule immediately so fans are not robbed of fights. 

If rescheduling is absolutely impossible, do your best to attract other stars such as Shane Mosley, to step in. I know it's not an easy task, but the fans deserve it and in the long run it will help the sport. 


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