Boxing needs to change!

I have a suggestion.

We've all watched matches where the referee would've called the fight off if the guy losing wasn't the 'house' fighter. That shouldn't happen.
Note that I believe that most referees do a decent job and take seriously their responsibility to protect the fighters. Nevertheless, I would like to break the financial relationship between the fight promoter and the referee. I don't think the referee should be chosen, or paid by, the promoter of the contest. I think the referees and other officials should be appointed independently. I think they should have a responsibility to the fighters themselves and the sport, not to the company putting on the show.

 

To be honest the abdusalmov fight wasnt that much of a one sided beating, or the stevenson gvozdyk fight. I think the danger is in their all the time. It isnt that important if its a terrible mismatch or a well balanced fight. It might always be that ONE punch that starts it all.

 

I recommend that boxing lowers the number of rounds, go from 12 to 9 for championship fights, 10 to 7 for big non title fights and the rest should stay at 4-6, and i’d increase the glove sizes to 10 and 12 ounces. People have to understand that boxing is destructive and if we can minimize damage enough so boxers can to survive financially well while entertaining others then it should be done.

Theres no reason for there to be 12 rounds where two men shorten their lives by 20 years in a span of 36 minutes of action. It’s disturbing to see so many retired boxers at 50 years old that can’t remember what day it is, where they are, form sentences or speak incoherently, thats no way to live no matter how much money they have. Same thing with the nfl, every game has most players damaging their brain and bodies while the fans are inhaling beer and pizza.

Society should move on from violent entertainment and it looks like it’s happening slowly.

 

The open scoring point I understand. My argument against it would be this.

What if a fighter in a very evenly matched fight is getting the nod from the judges each round. Is absolutely gassed after 8, and beginning to take punishment. But because of the open scoring he can only lose now if he was knocked out.

Would that scenario not encourage him/his corner to keep him in longer than needed knowing he just needs to hear the final bell to win?

The OP makes some excellent points by the way. I fully expect some changes and inquests in the near future, there needs to be.

 

The thing about the Day and Dadashev fights were that both guys were able to maintain enough of the form, and to land enough in return to make it seem as though they were competitive in their respective fights. There were points when both clearly lost their shape when the fight could have stopped, but that wasn't into fairly deep into both contests.

That said, they both sustained enough punishment where checks from the doctor would have been in order. Once the physician started monitoring the fight more closely, the official would have been signaled to do the same. Perhaps more frequent doctor visits might be in order as a way to possibly prevent extended beatdowns.

 

I completely agree with the author of the thread and I'd want to add to his accurate proposals to disqualify for periods all those boxers who, in the face-offs, in the interviews, on internet, with the fans, etc., say that they wish to kill, or to send in coma their opponents or other disrespectful words towards the life of other boxers or human beings. I hope boxing truely becomes the "noble art" and that nobody dies in the ring..never again. After the death of Ayrton Senna new rules were approved in F1 and the number of dead pilots is decreased to zero. Its time even in boxing new rules dont allow what happened to the poor Patrick Day.

 

Richard Steele was a great referee at this, to call off the Taylor and Chavez was controversial but he said it himself, something along the lines of "No fight is worth a mans life".
I think it's up to the referee to stop fights before they get dangerous, they are trained for it but it is hard sometimes because you don't know how effective the punches are, you only see and hear them not feel them.

Hate to say it, but deaths and brain injury will always be apart of boxing. Whoever walks in the ring knows what can happen. Our bodies aren't made to get hit it the head continuously. I don't see anything else we can do to make the sport safer AND put bums in seats. I agree with your post but making boxing safer to the point where it's nearly amateur and stoppages will be constant will not give fighters the hard earned money they deserve.

 

what are you talking about? It's called THE REF! He was punching back til the very end. there's boxers who got KO'd way harder than Day... your post is just an emotional, knee-jerk response. Cool down, and make another post in 1 month. you will be more rational.

 

Totally agree.