A closer look at BoxRec's database reveals (as of December 17, 2018) that: In 1975, 72 countries hosted pro boxing, producing a total of 9,864 fights. In 2016, 116 countries hosted pro boxing producing a total of 27,711 fights. I think it's very difficult to interpret this to mean, that we have been witnessing a slump in activity, or a shrinking talent pool over the last 40-50 years.