Is professional boxing a sport or a business?

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 11 Mar 2008, 19:07

These days this would seem like a daft question. It seems to me professional boxing is all about the £££'s. If a fighter A sells more tickets than fighter B, fighter A will get the opportunities = even if fighter B is the better fighter. Also, it seems being "exciting" is a major factor in getting fighters opportunities to fight for championships. Since when was just being good not enough? As a fan who likes scientific boxing( though don't get me wrong, I enjoy a war and knockouts as much as the next guy) I think its a shame we don't see as much of pure boxers as sluggers. Also so many times we never see the best fighting the best as the respective fighters are content to make ££'s defending against lesser oppenents. I'm glad we've seen some unification fights in recent times but it isnt half frustrating to see potential good fights just pass by because they dont make business sense. For example as one point we had Guzman, Vaquez, Pacquiao, all at superbantam. Due to them not being "names" at that point they never fought. More and more I hear its not about testing yourself against the best- its if the money is right. Is it just a changing of the times? Okay rant over

STP · Post by **STP** » 11 Mar 2008, 19:09

Froch says a sport. Eubank says a business.

whicker · Post by **whicker** » 11 Mar 2008, 19:33

If its professional, then its a business.

whiskey · Post by **whiskey** » 11 Mar 2008, 19:34

Eubank candidly said recently that he never fought Roy Jones because he didn't think he could win.

As a brit i wished he'd kept that to himself

STP · Post by **STP** » 11 Mar 2008, 19:54

He told Harry Mullan that as well, in late 1993. He said: "I fight to win, and so that's why I won't fight Jones. He can beat me."

Coco · Post by **Coco** » 11 Mar 2008, 20:37

When I went pro I was a starry eyed teenager who thought it was all about sport, but it wasn't long before I realised this is a business

Matt Teague · Post by **Matt Teague** » 12 Mar 2008, 10:28

Agree with Coco

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 12 Mar 2008, 10:42

Sport when they fight business before.

m1kee50 · Post by **m1kee50** » 12 Mar 2008, 10:45

I dont think its a sport... you don't 'play' boxing.... yes its in the sporting realm, but you cant lump it in with badminton ffs, too hard a game for that

there is a business side like all sports, but its a business with hand to hand combat at its core... a strange business

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 12 Mar 2008, 11:06

Boxers are athletes - even the fat heavyweights.

So, its a sport at AMATUER AND PROFESSIONAL level - the thing is now......

FIGHTERS SHOULD KNOW THE BUSINESS SIDE OF IT.

Or the only person raking in the cash are the Promoters.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 12 Mar 2008, 12:33

Boxing is a business - bollocks is it a sport!!!

I suppose you could argue for the fans it is a sport - but for the boxers and the promotional teams it is a business.

The problem is when you mix the both as a fan and also work in whatever capacity - you come unstuck.

As a business I can safely say it is a horrible dog eat dog - sell your grannie and kids type of business.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Mar 2008, 12:56

All modern professional sport is a business. However, boxing remains the only sport in the world where it is entirely run by promoters.

It is promoters cash that allows the sport to continue, with the tacit agreement of the sanctioning bodies, and the assistance of the TV networks who provide the rake on the crap shoot that is boxing.

m1kee50 · Post by **m1kee50** » 12 Mar 2008, 13:14

jamesmcdonnell wrote:All modern professional sport is a business. However, boxing remains the only sport in the world where it is entirely run by promoters.

It is promoters cash that allows the sport to continue, with the tacit agreement of the sanctioning bodies, and the assistance of the TV networks who provide the rake on the crap shoot that is boxing.

i think you have touched on an excellent point there james - the promoters have a vested interest in the fighters.... now there is nothing wrong with that, people own football clubs and etc, but the key difference is that the quality of opposition is not controlled by the owner of the club.... very different in boxing

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 12 Mar 2008, 13:18

Its a Sport RUN BY BUSINESSMEN

Boxing is in SPORTS RELIEF ( for example) so it is a Sport 1st and a business 2nd.

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 12 Mar 2008, 16:38

MatthewS wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:All modern professional sport is a business. However, boxing remains the only sport in the world where it is entirely run by promoters.

It is promoters cash that allows the sport to continue, with the tacit agreement of the sanctioning bodies, and the assistance of the TV networks who provide the rake on the crap shoot that is boxing.
i think you have touched on an excellent point there james - the promoters have a vested interest in the fighters.... now there is nothing wrong with that, people own football clubs and etc, but the key difference is that the quality of opposition is not controlled by the owner of the club.... very different in boxing

Thats an interesting comparison to football. In boxing the boxer has to pay to win a championship(santioning fees) but dont football clubs get paid when they win championships(sorry I know eff all about footy really).
Also about the opposition - a top-class boxer making soft touch defenses and making a lot of money because of his popularity is the equivalent of Manchester United playing league two teams week in week out no? But that would never happen in football. Only in boxing.

MeanMachine.biz · Post by **MeanMachine.biz** » 12 Mar 2008, 16:44

Youre answer is in the question!
Professional means being paid, being paid means its a business, to people watching it its a sport but to anyone involved who are being paid then its a business.

jimglen · Post by **jimglen** » 12 Mar 2008, 18:24

a flipping CROOKED one, business that is...
we should focus on the real Champions & Contenders and hi-lite their careers as top fighters, giving people a true history of the real gladiators and an appreciation for what was once a great sport.

I believe this is the way to also 'revive' the sport, by first letting fans, 'new' & casual realise that Boxing has many more hero's and greats beyond the repeated, to death, well known ones.

especially here in Britain & Europe, where as in America at least, many, many a great fighter are remembered with pride and the recognition they deserve.

MeanMachine.biz · Post by **MeanMachine.biz** » 12 Mar 2008, 19:01

Boxing has always had corruption but no more than any other sport or business, the fights that the public want to see on the majority are usualy made but history is paved with fighters not getting title shots etc.
it wasnt that long ago that black fighters were blacklisted from fighting for titles.
boxings not perfect but what is?
voting for politicians who rob us blind!
but when a fight comes together and it lives up to expectation then that is not far off from seeing the perfect sporting spectacle.
Love it or hate boxing is the greatest sport or viewing going, the cream doesnt come along that often but that hasnt changed for decades.
The sport isnt always to blame but the fighters themselves, take the heavyweight div at present ITS DIRE! but who knows where the next Louis, Marciano,Ali or Tyson will come along.
but one thing is certain they will come again!! and again
THATS BOXING!

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 13 Mar 2008, 04:13

MeanMachine.biz wrote:Boxing has always had corruption but no more than any other sport or business, the fights that the public want to see on the majority are usualy made but history is paved with fighters not getting title shots etc.
it wasnt that long ago that black fighters were blacklisted from fighting for titles.
boxings not perfect but what is?
voting for politicians who rob us blind!
but when a fight comes together and it lives up to expectation then that is not far off from seeing the perfect sporting spectacle.
Love it or hate boxing is the greatest sport or viewing going, the cream doesnt come along that often but that hasnt changed for decades.
The sport isnt always to blame but the fighters themselves, take the heavyweight div at present ITS DIRE! but who knows where the next Louis, Marciano,Ali or Tyson will come along.
but one thing is certain they will come again!! and again
THATS BOXING!

Boxing is the greatest sport on earth.

As a 'business' it is shit unless you are one of the fortunate 1 or 2%

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 13 Mar 2008, 08:22

Amateur boxing is sport
Pro is all about business.

Evidence: If a pro fight will make a profit then it can be made.
If no-one can sell it then it doesn’t happen. That’s business.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 13 Mar 2008, 09:39

punchers chance wrote:Amateur boxing is sport
Pro is all about business.

Evidence: If a pro fight will make a profit then it can be made.
If no-one can sell it then it doesn’t happen. That’s business.

I 1/2 agree with you.

Pro boxing is SPORT - it is just run my businessmen.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 13 Mar 2008, 15:27

punchers chance wrote:Amateur boxing is sport
Pro is all about business.

Evidence: If a pro fight will make a profit then it can be made.
If no-one can sell it then it doesn’t happen. That’s business.

Very simple but true statement.

Even if a fight is a bloody good one on paper - sometimes 2 fighters from the same promotional company then the fight sometimes doesn't happen - there are loads of examples.

Just wish there was more promoters able to squeesh TV dates - it would spice things up with reagards to fights.

E · Post by E » 13 Mar 2008, 19:42

Simple answer - both. How much one way compared to another is a different question.......

E · Post by E » 13 Mar 2008, 19:42

Simple answer - both. How much one way compared to another is a different question.......