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The usual question posed to me
in my travels, as well as back
home in South Africa, is about
the continuity of the sport of
boxing worldwide given the rise
of MMA.
Can or will boxing survive and
stay relevant given the upsurge
of MMA? There is no doubt in my
mind that boxing will not only
survive but thrive despite these
changing times.
It is an interesting debate, the
future of boxing, but in my
personal opinion, there are
several reasons why the noble
sport of boxing, again despite
certain issues, will move
forward and upwards in the
future.
The first reason is historical
and that boxing has roots so far
back, that the sport is deeply
entrenched in so many countries,
that to think of boxing being
removed is completely
unimaginable.
The second reason is that boxing
has the support of so many
celebrities. One just has to
look at the Mayweather v
Pacquiao fight and the hordes of
superstars who are in attendance
at ringside adding a different
flavor to the event. Jack
Nicholson, 50 Cent, Will Smith –
the list is endless, in fact.
The third reason is that of
television. While perhaps TV is
a contributor to diminishing
live crowds in some cases, TV
also is a multimillion Dollar
dynamic which is a huge
contributor to economies in many
countries. Where there is
boxing, there is money, and
where there is money, there is
boxing, is the hard truth.
The next reason is Muhammad Ali
and the legacy of other greats
such as Foreman, Frazier,
Marciano and others. But
Muhammad Ali epitomizes the
sport of boxing in all its
greatness. People who know
nothing about boxing still know
who Muhammad Ali was.
The final reason in my opinion
is of course money. Superstars
like Floyd Mayweather earned (if
indeed there is no comeback)
fortunes over his career,
particularly at the end of his
career. It is that sort of money
(in addition to the fame) that
most boxers dream about.
In addition there is and always
has been a romantic dream about
boxing. This dream often comes
from, but is not exclusive, to
poor countries, where fighters
dream for success, both in the
ring and financial – to move
their families away from
poverty, and to become heroes in
their country. Case in point,
Manny Pacquiao.
So boxing is like a championship
fight. It’s tough and it’s long,
but it’s going to go the
distance. It might fall at
times, but it gets up and keeps
going, getting stronger towards
the latter rounds.
Boxing is the greatest sport in
the world, and we are privileged
to be part of it.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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