By Matt Christie
WHILE farces are common in this section of Boxing News, it is important to note that 2023 has been a very positive year for the sport if we look only at the competitions that occurred. Big fights we wanted happened, some of which we had no idea we wanted to deliver thrills and spills and others, like the vital showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, are already promised for next year. Furthermore, a glance at the small hall scene, although far from perfect, showed undeniable signs of improvement.
Due to the chaotic nature of the sport, boxing always feels like it is in a state of transition. And in 2023, that sentiment was pronounced as major broadcasters like Showtime said goodbye, new streaming services like Amazon Prime signaled their intention to replace them, the influx of major financial backing from Saudi Arabia changed the landscape, and major British promoters Matchroom Boxing, they retired openly. into battle with the British Boxing Board of Control.
With all that and more in mind, here are 10 wishes, in no particular order, for boxing in 2024.
– No more Eubank-Benn talks
Whatever the truth of Benn’s two failed tests in 2022, the fact is that only a few are aware of their details. Until that changes and the British Boxing Board of Control is satisfied, any talk of him competing in Britain should cease. Although promoters Matchroom have been combative in believing otherwise, the fact that the country’s governing body has repeatedly blocked such a scenario is certainly reason enough to wait. The last thing boxing (and Benn) needs is for this miserable saga to become one of the biggest stories in the sport for the third year in a row.
– Have clear guidelines for drug testing.
As a matter of priority, it is hoped that all relevant commissions can agree on a uniform code of conduct regarding drug testing. Whichever drug testing agency performs the tests, failure should be a definite red flag and the investigation process will begin immediately.
– The BBBoC can do its job
The board’s general secretary, Robert Smith, is not to everyone’s taste. But I would say that he is one of the best boxing governors in the world. The fact that he has faced threats from Matchroom and Benn should highlight his desire to do the right thing in the sport. The Board’s decisions may not please everyone and there have been mistakes, but the BBBoC is expected to maintain and strengthen its position in 2024. Let’s think about this, because the alternative is horrifying.
– Long live the British title
Although the British Championship is no longer considered as important as it once was, some of the most encouraging scenes of 2023 were a consequence. It’s understandable why promoters prefer to take their clients the intercontinental belt route to boost “world” rankings, but the romance of the Lonsdale Belt is hard to beat. Better yet, it’s a more attractive proposition to the paying public (and the media in general) than a British fighter versus a completely unknown import.
– Sky Sports will continue to be prominent in boxing.
With Showtime following HBO out the door in the US, one naturally wonders if we’ll see a similar pattern here in the UK. And there have been rumors that Sky Sports’ relationship with boxing is under strain. We must never forget what the network has done for the sport in this country and, while streaming or its equivalent may well be the future, I would argue that boxing is not yet popular enough to thrive exclusively in that arena. Yes, we can point to companies like Amazon Prime and their subscription numbers, but it is a huge leap of faith to suggest that a significant proportion will be magically drawn to boxing. Alongside TNT Sports, which thankfully remains committed to the sport, Sky Sports plays a crucial role in elevating boxing and its protagonists in the nation’s consciousness.
– Stop stirring the pot.
One thing I grew tired of in 2023 were YouTube videos designed solely to give a promoter a platform to criticize a rival. The idea that these videos are doing the sport a favor because so many people watch them is nonsense. For those who still don’t understand it, boxing needs its promoters to move forward if it wants to make fights capable of moving us all forward. Inviting ‘Edward’ to criticize a rival promoter and then running to that rival promoter to tell him what Edward said only drives a giant wedge between them. Stop it, you left school at least 12 months ago.
– Better keep fighting against the best.
There was a welcome development in the elite fighting the elite in 2023. That should only continue. Although sanctioning bodies are probably a necessary evil to some extent, fighters and their teams shouldn’t be afraid of being stripped of a belt if it means putting on a better fight. Nor should they make it their mission to fight a largely unknown champion if it can make for a more attractive contest. Increasingly, we are seeing the importance of alphabetical straps diminish and long gone are the days when these titles guaranteed the progress of their owners. It shouldn’t need to be explained, but it’s the appeal of the matchup, not the lettering on the silverware, that draws fans to our sport.
– Olympic boxing to go out and conquer
Although the situation is not as serious as a few months ago, we still run the risk of boxing losing its status as an Olympic sport after the 2024 Games. The reasons for this, which in a nutshell is poor governance at the top with signs of corruption, they paint a lamentable picture. If boxing ceases to exist in Olympic form, the ramifications will be felt for many years.
– More people are listening to Ringside Charitable Trust
This may well be the most important of all. Although one of the main promoters has considered the idea of helping the charity, the silence from the rest has once again been deafening. This is still surprising. The registered charity’s mission is to help ex-boxers in need. It is not the enemy. It is not about banning sport. It is not intended to prevent promoters from selling tickets or marketing shows. Quite the opposite. He wants to show that this sport, which will inevitably produce casualties, can take care of itself. To be able to do that, Ringside Charitable Trust requires a collective effort, and the message – to everyone in boxing and to the outside world – must be loud and clear: We know boxing is a dangerous sport, but we have measures in place. to help those who fall on difficult times.
Which brings me to my final wish, which I send with gratitude to each of you who have taken the time to support Boxing News this year: Keep reading!
Have a great Christmas and we will be back in the first week of January.
