The schism in the EBU as a result of the Haye Chisora debacle has played into the WBO and WBA's hands. It's not in their interests for the EBU, which is effectively an organisation steered to some degree by a competitor in the WBC to have control over boxing in Europe. Now they have an excuse to really roll out their EBA and WBO European title fights. Within months we will potentially have three European champions at each weight. Frank \/\/arren is already looking at the viability of European title fights sanctioned by the WBO.
Do we really need them though? Why couldn't we sell good fighters fighting other good fighters for the right to fight for "The Title"? There is too much emphasis on protecting that 0. What's wrong with losing on the way up but learning your trade. You used to get series of fights between fighters, rematches of good fights sell, you don't really get that now because prospects or the powers that be are scared of putting there boy in with anybody who has a any chance against them. Good fights are when both parties are looking for a win, not when you've got a "champ" defending against some obscure fighter in the top 50 or 100 in reality but with good connections in somebodies ratings comittee. If it's not an obscure fighter it's someone who used to be someone 5 or 6 years previously.....
I agree, but we do not live in that world. The 'neo liberal' economic model of boxing does put a huge emphasis on the '0' and having a belt around your waist. I am not condoning them, but if someone was not getting rich of a WBO Intercontinental Zone 3 Pan African American Asian Australasia European title, would the WBO have such a belt?
Maybe I'm just old school, it's the fans that are missing out. There are good fights to be made out there that would sell, belt or no belt. :-(