There was a time
when boxing had fewer weight classes and fewer belts, the world had one champion
at each weight class and you knew who he was. Things sure have changed, haven’t
they? Now when you watch boxing whether it's a large event or a small local show
there always seems to be some kind of title on the line. You see fighters with
more losses than wins fighting for a “title.” But my favorite is seeing a
fighter you’ve never heard of fighting for a title you’ve never heard of either,
and to make it even better the fight is somehow advertised as a “World
Championship fight.” In addition, these so called “World Championship fights”
are sometimes scheduled for ten rounds, instead of the usual 12 (championship)
rounds.
It’s happening
all over the world and it needs to stop NOW!! You may be wondering what made me
finally speak out, and here it goes. What finally did it for me is the WBC’s
new Diamond Belt that will be awarded to fighters who face each other at
catch weights. Boxing now has 17 weight classes and we need to reward the
fighters who either won’t put on an addition 2-3 pounds or go down 2-3 pounds in
weight? Are you kidding me? As of late the fights we have seen at a catch weight
usually feature two of the world's best fighters, and I can get behind but I
can't and won’t get behind this new and obviously expensive Diamond Belt.
Why can’t they
simply fight to see who is the better man? Are you telling me the money they
make isn’t good enough? Now they need a Diamond Belt? The purpose of the Diamond
Belt is not to crown an elite fighter at a catch weight; the Diamond belt is
simply another way for the WBC to squeeze more money out of fighters. It is as
simple as that. And the truth of the matter is that -sadly- most fighters will
gladly pay the outrageous fee and wear the belt proudly to the ring.
It looks like
Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will be fighting for boxing's newest trinket
when they meet in November at the catch weight of 145 pounds. Once the fight is
over we will see our first 145 pound elite Diamond Champion. I don’t know about
you but I can’t wait.
Like I said at
the beginning of this article, there was a time when people could tell you who
the champion was at most weight classes; today you’ll be lucky if you can name
two champions at each of the 17 weight classes. Boxing needs to revert to the
way it once was. We need one champ and one deserving contender. I doubt things
will change, as long as the sanctioning bodies can squeeze every penny they can
out of every belt they supply, it will continue, and this cost will eventually
come out of the ticket sales, (our money) and/or pay-per-view fees, (our money).
I will be tuning
in to the Manny Pacquiao - Miguel Cotto fight to see who the better fighter is,
not to see someone win a bogus diamond belt.
In closing, I
quote a statement made by the head of the WBC: "“I am very proud of this step taken by the WBC, as it will
be in benefit of improving boxing, in benefit of the boxing
fans of the world, as well as promoters, television and
everybody involved in the sport of boxing."
And now I ask you, the fans, how is this belt going to benefit boxing fans of
the world, not to mention "everybody involved in the sport of boxing'? Forgive
me, but I am drawing a blank....
