Boxing in 2010 - is the cupboard bare?

[Matt W]

I've just read Steve Farhood's piece in this month's BM about the poor state of boxing in 2010 and wondered what others think.

I have to say I agree with him. I love boxing and have followed it avidly for 25 years and at no time have I been less enthused about potential match-ups than I am now. The obvious examples of fights that I would actually care about - Haye vs either Klitschko and Pacquiao vs Mayweather - look no closer to happening than they ever have. Froch-Abraham should be a cracker but won't be seen by the majority of the public. Far too often today's top fighters fight relatively meaningless fights or barely fight at all - take Amir Khan for example, a young champion in a good division fighting twice a year at best. And Shannon Briggs is fighting for the heavyweight title

Like most boxing fans I'm looking forward to the Magnificent 7 show but PPV? Please. One of the few nights of meaningful 50-50 fights we get this year and we have to pay an extra £15 for the privilege?

I hope that 2011 is a significant improvement on 2010.

[ushnikov]

I agree 100 %. Testing times to follow boxing. SKY coverage is poor and anything remotely worthwhile is ppv.

Setanta gone ITV4 gone.

Fights not getting made.

There was one Saturday night where there was more boxing on than hours in the day.

Those were the days!

[mickey1975]

I dont understand at times.Next week we have got a double bill on a Saturday night.One for a "World title" and the other probably the most eagerly anticipated fight on the forum.Its not long ago we had to deal with Haskins or Napa virtually every week.

[robpalmer135]

At the top level, the blame lies solely on HBO.

They pay twice as much for a fight as there nearest rival, and by over paying for fights its allowed fighters to have an inflated sense of self worth. Boxers like Berto and Dawson can fight twice a year and make huge money in non competitive fights. They can also do these fights without truly promoting themselves and fighting in front small crowds.

Pacquiao and Mayweather are better of taking 80% of the money in other fights than 50-50 against each other, the money is only a few million less and they have a better chance of winning and continuing to make huge big money in fights they know they will win.

[robpalmer135]

I dont understand at times.Next week we have got a double bill on a Saturday night.One for a "World title" and the other probably the most eagerly anticipated fight on the forum.Its not long ago we had to deal with Haskins or Napa virtually every week.

After October 2nd were back at that level.

[leforge]

Every week can't be as good as sept! Rendell world title fight in October! Prizefighter will be enjoyable heavyset always are.

[iamasadlittleboy]

We've had great fights...just at weights where people usually don't care too much...

[Spud]

News of a big December bill will be out soon - but the fight I want to see Smigga v Degale will have happened by April 11 at the very latest on the proviso both want the fight - money talks and it will be a massive money spinner - Smigga will earn a far bigger purse for that fight than he would fighting some spurious world champion of a lesser known world governing body.