What percentage of fights are rigged?

I do not believe that any fight is rigged where a fighter is paid off to take a dive. Due to the upside of a big win (and the downside to the loss), the finances would never make sense to a fighter, who actually has a chance to win, to be paid off in a fight.

However, what does happen is the hometown promoters 'take care' of the officials and sanctioning bodies to hopefully give their fighter the upper hand. This happens everywhere, with scoring being so off from what the public sees. However, Germany is notorious for taking it a step further and having refs completely control the fight to make it very hard for the opposing fighter to win. Yes, Randy Neumann is a great example of one instance, but there are many others (pick any Ottke fight).

 

Ever seen any of Kimbo Slice's or Brian Nielsen's fights?
There are also some seriously dodgy goings on in Brazil, Latvia and many African countries.
There are plenty of clear examples of fighters taking dives. Not at the top level, but when it comes to padding records there are plenty.

 

I don't think/hope many fights are rigged not in the way that a fighter takes a dive whatever judges/referees are paif off is something different but I don't think fighters taking a dive is a huge problem at elite level some of Kimbos opponents might have been paid to take a dive but this is just freakshow level

 

On the lower end it really doesn't make too much sense either. Fighters are usually hand picked to lose. If the fighter you are trying to build-up can't beat these tomato cans than he isn't worth the time and money. Once you get to TV fights, I don't see where it would ever make financial sense for a fighter to take a dive.

 

A lot of fights are technically not rigged, but you get a sense that it was really made to let one guy win.

That's the primary job of a matchmaker to a promoter, to provide suitable opponent, one with good record and enough substance to make it worthwhile, but will never win.

 

Ask Bob Arum. We know Marquez fight in Mexico before he fought Manny was rigged

 

At the higher levels I believe it's more along the lines of the promoter, and even in some instances the alphabet sanctioning bodies influencing the officials or judges into seeing a favorable outcome for their fighter. I don't believe fighters being paid to take dives is a normal occurrence, as that was more of a mob type fix, when boxing was much bigger, and a lot of money could be made with all the betting action going on. Not as much interest in the sport, means no real reason for such a shady deal.

 

pre 1960 a few.

Percentage of all the boxing matches ever? less than 0.5%

 

**** are you talking about^

 

Obviously, most rigging does not include actual dives, as thta can be too obvious. - but you can pay / threaten a fighter to not KO his opponent.

As far as downsides - try bucking the promoters on one fight, and see how many good opportunities you get in the future. You have a much better chance of making future money if you play along, than if you try to fight the powers that be.

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Most likely, 100% of fights are rigged in some way, even if it's a s subtle as referees letting Ali cheat in every fight he was in. (holding behind the head, etc.)

And even in the most blatant cases, there are practically ZERO repercussions, especially to the guys actually calling the shots:

Bob Arum tells JMM, on camera, "it's just business," and absolutely nothing happens.
A referee in Germany LITERALLY helps a downed fighter up off the canvas so he can continue to fight, and absolutely nothing happens.
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It's an unregulated sport, in which promoters, bookies, mafia betters, and even the networks ALL make huge financial gains when the "right" fighter wins.
What possible reason is there to believe that any fight is legit? How naive can you be?

 

Boxing is a racket. Of course there's going to be fights which are rigged.

Betting scams are rife in the boxing world.

 

Realize also how subtle a fix can be. Take Martinez - Chavez. The bookies overwhelmingly expected a Sergio KO. They made a lot more moey when he only win by decision.

A coincidence? Maybe, but if Sergio purposely let Jr off the hook in that final 30 seconds, how would you know?

 

I wouldn't say many.. by the fighter's means..... but promoters def make ammends while building a fighter's record