If you were in charge of the single unified body in governing professional boxing, what changes would you make? Some off the top of my head: Weight Classes: Remove nontraditional weight classes except minimumweight and cruiserweight. Weigh-ins: -Night of the fight (amateur style), allow fighters to accept the consequences if they dehydrate/starve themselves. -Automatic fine and suspension for weighing over, and other corner allowed to cancel the fight. Titles: One per division. Rankings: Determined by an impartial, unpaid panel with public access to meeting transcripts and monthly press release on changes. Challengers: -Champions must defend at least twice per year to keep title. -#1 contender gets a shot at least once per year. -Vacant titles contested between #1 and #2 contenders. -Returning champs winning one bout are installed as #1 contender. -All ranked fighters must fight twice per year to maintain ranking. Rounds: 15 rounds for title bouts. Top-10 ranked fighters fight 12 round bouts. #11-20, 10rd. #21-30, 8rd. All other bouts 6 rounds. Fight Cards: At least three 10-12 rounders per card (prevents problems with cancellations). Draws and Split Decisions: Automatic rematch within one year if requested immediately by one fighter. Judging: -Annotated scoring by judges (brief written explanation of each round's score). -Judges must have over 10 amateur bouts. -Referee has access to replay upon request (point deductions, cuts, knockdowns, accidental fouls, etc.). PED Use: -Year-round VADA testing. -NCAA DI protocols for screening supplements prior to use. -Automatic lifetime ban for confirmed PED use. KO Bonus: Standard amount based on rankings (i.e. title fight = 250k, inter-top-10 fights = 100k, others = 25k). Pay: -All bouts 50/30 split to higher-ranked fighter plus 20% win bonus. -Champions make a minimum of $500k per fight ($1M/yr min), more based on popularity, sales, etc. -10k for 6rd, 12k for 8rd, 15k for 10rd, 20k for 12rd. Ring: Standard ring size for all bouts. Ring Walk/Billing/Order of Introduction: Higher-ranked fighter billed first, walks second, introduced second. Gloves: List of approved gloves, not subject to fighter negotiation. Benefits: -Free health insurance for active fighters, no deductible/copay. -100% tuition reimbursement for active/retired fighters. -401k (or something) available to all fighters. If the UFC can pull in as much money as it does, I think boxing could afford this stuff if it was centrally-controlled.
