So, can we NOW mix in some young heavies?

The problem with this is that the vast majority of people who buy the PPVs are casuals.

The casuals don’t know any better, and the boxers being pushed as headline fighters want the lowest risk opponent possible. The hardcores who can name 5 contenders more worthy are only a fraction of the paying audience.

So we end up with guys on their late 30s and early 40s who are shot to bits being recycled, whilst the younger HWs are being ducked and denied a shot.

These are dark times for the HW division.

I would hope that the major promoters and TV companies are embarrassed at this point and will give the next generation a chance. Eventually they will, but that is no consolation to HWs who are ready and being frozen out...

 

Tell gassiev to step up first

 

He had been inactive too long and was not ranked anymore.
Of course he fight some return fight he was able to get, why not. He needs climb up in rankings more to get enough decent opponent, therefore I also expect some 1-2 next fights vs not that notable opponents.

 

Although it wasn't the demolition I expected, Ruiz Arreola had a slack feeling to it with the pauses, Ruiz not jumping on Arreola when he shoulder was bothering him, etc.

They just aren't hungry, and that supports your point. If they put in someone at the Arreola level who is still climbing the mountain, even if the risk level is the same or lower for Ruiz, the intensity would have been much higher.

 

The other problem is that the younger fighters aren’t as skilled either.

Povetkin, Chisora and Arreola are shot, but were able to give decent fights because Whyte, Parker, and Ruiz aren’t as experienced or well rounded. They only took these fights because the first three are still names and looked vulnerable. They aren’t chomping at the bit to face each other.

Joyce is what 34 and still a prospect. He also out gunned the other exciting but limited prospect Dubois. He just wasn’t even anywhere his level and got schooled.

The main problem is the business climate with the lose your zero and lose your star appeal. Something boxing could learn from the UFC.

Fans don’t know or care if fighters are shot in the UFC because they promote the hell out of them. We got guys like Bob Arum who shits on his own fighters lack of popularity and expect them to promote themselves without help.

 

I did my part by not watching it. I did follow the rbr though.

 

Are any of the young guys and their management seeking out fights with these guys? Will they fight these guys for a reasonable payday?

 

Yeah fine, let's just borrow a bunch of 6'6" guys from MMA or the NBA or YouTube or whatever. Hook them all up with Freddie or Nacho, give them all the best training possible, throw it at the wall and see what all sticks.

OR, we just abolish the division and have pro boxing cap off at cruiser. (or, dare I say, bridger?)

Yeah, that last one gets my vote.

 

NBA does offer 7 and even 8 digits pay checks per 1 year, insurances, also long contracts and opportunities to get additional bonuses, team as big brand and even legal assistance. Unlike pro boxing, where your name alone matters more than how beated up and out of shape you are and some wrecks are getting paid 10 and more folds higher prices than fresh lads with not enough well known names.
NBA teams also does not have problems with CTE and months long trash talks before fights contracts are signed and other big risks pro prize fighters does have.

 

From all stars down through maybe sixth men, yeah, probably far more lucrative to stay on a team - but if you're just a role player or a vet's minimum bench warmer, idk...becoming a fringe contender in a weak division might be a more attractive option if you have any natural fighting talent. I guess you'd have to add up the purses from competing maybe 3-4 times a year and see how it stacked up against salary for a season (and then factor in how much all the corporate perks are worth in offsetting any baseline imbalance favoring boxing, ie benefits, cut of jersey sales etc)

 

How can you book a guy who's always complaining about injuries