Alternatively licensed boxing – Pushing the sport forward or endangering its future?

This is quite a decent and interesting argument in general. There are decent points that I can see for both viewpoints.

But ultimately it comes down a pretty simple concept in my opinion: free will of the people. If people want to set up their own licensing bodies, if people want to box under these licensing bodies, if people want to box in general and both are consenting adults, there should be very little anybody can do to stop them.

As for the question of whether its helping or hurting boxing: I'd say neither. I think they're 2 completely different entities at the moment. Depending on how boxing outside the BBBoC develops over the next few years will determine that.

 

All that article said was names that shouldn't be in the sport (Botha, Williams & Gomez) and titles that should be rounded up and burnt (WBF and WBU).

Semi pro/unlicensed boxing is not good for the sport and their leaders clearly show they are interested in killing the sport.

The BBBofC is the last org in the world that needs change on this level. The BBBofC and the Japanese Commission are probably the only 2 in the world that bring some decency to the sport.

 

It's actually a very different product do there's no comparison really but it's a great article.

 

This is a very timely topic of discussion. I think overall it is a very healthy situation to have alternative commissions but as long as there are proper health and safety standards. Also, the issue of matchmaking on these shows needs to be monitored properly. If other commissions can come in and do this oversight, then I think it is a good thing and can provide an outlet for boxers who do not have the talent, promoter or ambition to progress to title level as a pro.

I do not think the BBBoC is seen by everyone in the sport as exemplars or progressive and for the strand of boxers that I mention above, I prefer them to have the option of fighting on unlicenced shows rather than having swathes of kids becoming journeymen at the age of 18 and being fed to top prospects in the pro game.

Ultimately, I would like to see the BBBoC turned into a semi-state organisation that is not only answerable to its membership but also to the public i.e. the paying boxing fan. I think this is the only hope of making the board more transparent to the public.

One of the internet radio shows should debate this topic with members of the boxing community, especially the fighters.:good

 

Gas
I've had Brown and others from the other circuit on my BBC London show quite a few times. There is a risk of serious popularity because there is now a blurred line between so-called 'white collar' and the old pirate/bouncer v bouncer scene.
There are fewer hedge fund managers fighting each other on the white collar circuit and more and more 20 something so-called faces having a tear-up under the white collar banner.
You should speak to Alan Lacey who is the daddy of the white collar business and has been for about 13 years.

Adios.

 

The BBBofC need a kick up the arse, sadly this probably isn't the right way to do it.

 

It is a half way house but the product has no boundries so it can very quickly become affiliated with the likes of WBF and then it becomes the ******* child of boxing.

 

Cracking read Andrew ... well done.

 

I am hearing that a lot of gyms, particularly in the States, would not survive if it was not for their 'white collar' clientele. On the positive side I think it has the potential to serve a niche in the sport, as I honestly worry about kids turning pro at an early age and immediately taking on the role of journeyman. At least there is another outlet to make a few quid without getting fed to a seasoned puncher or up and coming prospect in a mismatch.

My main concern about this unlicensed/white collar scene (and I have never been to one of these shows so have no idea how professional they are run) is safety standards and match making. For example, a mate of mine took part in a white collar/unlicensed fight and the guy he was put in with was two weight divisions above him - this type of thing needs to be tightened up.

But, as for the increase in popularity of these unlicensed shows, well it probably reflects the overall state of boxing on many levels. Things that punters have moaned about over the years i.e. mismatches, lack of value for money, dubious decisions, hometown decisions, poor cards, lack of transparency with investigation into scorecards or incompetent refereeing etc... Punters and participants seem to be finding a different outlet, you have boxing promoters complain they cant break even or struggle badly without tv money. I am fed up hearing that, it is the reverse of what many of the boxing promoters, managers, trainers etc thought whenever television was first brought into boxing. What changed?

 

Through generations humans have simply become greedy selfish *******s!
Thats whats changed!

 

"Mike Tyson used to fight on the White Collar circuit before he even turned professional"

 

A lot are gaining kudos by the profile of cage fighting that dont have a board of control so these guys can claim to be instantly legit.

 

I don't see a problem with either form and I never except Smiths argument that people actually think they are sactioning it when they are not.

I never like Smith, he always comes across like a politition and always answers questions with a question (on TV).

As mentioned above I would like to see the Board become sanctioned by the government.