It's Time To Fix The Boxing Landscape In Australia

[Redback Rasta]

Interesting article by Cameron Maltby from the Scene. He doesn't hold back >>>

It's Time To Fix The Boxing Landscape In Australia

I expect this to draw some criticism namely from managers, promoters and hanger-on types of all sorts, but alas is something that needs to be said.

Before I get into my analysis of Australian boxing I'll clear a few things up:
• A meaningful fight is defined as one that:
o Has four- or more stars on Boxrec.com;
o Is for a meaningful title;
o Is an eliminator or against a Top 10 opponent

After watching Joel Brunker’s performance versus Josh Warrington over the weekend—a performance best described as watching someone try to throw punches underwater—I decided this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I’ve had enough of seeing my countrymen rack up easy wins against opposition that wouldn't be fit for a local amateur show and somehow gain lofty rankings until it's time to go cash out against an overseas legitimate opponent.

In an analysis of 46 fights under the such criteria over the last five years, statistics show that Australian fighters are better served to properly develop their skills rather than hold ground for a big payday in an unwinnable fight.

Of the aforementioned period, Australian fighters have collectively amassed an abysmal 8-37-1 record. Just one of the eight wins has come by knockout—Diana Prazak halting previously unbeaten Frida Walberg in eight rounds on the road in Sweden in June ’13 to claim the super featherweight title.

Australian fighters have been knocked out in 24 out of 46 fights; meaning, they don’t just lose but lose big! They also lose big on the scorecards, having claimed just 349 out of 1,082 combined rounds in the eyes of the judges.

In terms of percentages, Australian fighters have managed to post a win less than 18% of the time, have been knocked out more than 52% percent of the time (including a near 2:1 ratio of knockout losses to dropping a decision), and have failed to win a single round in nearly 40% of the fights.

It's at this point you begin to wonder who is to blame—the fighters, promoters or the managers?

They all seem to equally pass the buck, as was witnessed in the pitiful free-to-air show on Channel 9 in August, when Will Tomlinson was thoroughly outclassed by Adones Aguelo—who had faced just five fighters with winning records heading in— only to manage a highly questionable points win

Tomlinson blamed the matchmakers, saying he simply fought who was in front of him. Matchmakers passed the blame onto other fighters and managers for refusing to get in the ring with the rebuilding Aussie boxer, while local promoters blamed the officials.

From my view, the blame goes across the board.

Crowd numbers are dwindling. Fighters are being forced to work hard to sell tickets, while promoters continue to whine about losing money on shows.

Meanwhile in the United Kingdom, Rocky Fielding requested 2,000 tickets to begin with for his upcoming domestic clash with whom I'd call England’s best prospect in Callum smith.

George Groves and Carl Froch sold 80,000 tickets for their rematch, while some Australian boxing shows struggle to get 200 in attendance.

The strength of British boxing is the willingness of fighters to face each other, the yearning for that British title and generally wanting to prove they're the best.

Of all the Australians on the world scene, Dennis Hogan is the only one who has thus far taken out all domestic challengers. Ironically, he's managed to earn a world title shot on the heels of three fights facing opponents who'd collectively lost 12 of their last 18 fights, and has looked less than stellar in doing so.

Does Hogan have what it takes to beat Jack Culcay later this month? My compatriots and I will undoubtedly be in his corner, but have reason to stop short of blind optimism given recent history.

It's high time Aussie fighters stand up and demand domestic matches the way Jack Asis has in his yearning for a rematch with Billy Dib, who seems to be pricing himself out whilst making no money on the shelf with a now bankrupt promoter (50 Cent’s SMS Promotions).

It's time the managers focus on giving their fighters the best chance of winning a world title, not just milking their careers while waiting to cash them out.

Lastly, it's time promoters stopped feeding the fans utter crap. I have a saying: if you can't pronounce their name they're not coming over to win (this sating due to large numbers of Thai and Filipino journeyman brought in to lose).

Boxing is on life support here; it’s time to stop kicking it while it's down.

I would, however, like to give props to:

The Toowoomba boxing community, who—time after time—put on great domestic dust-up. In recent years, we’ve seen: Kris George vs. Ozan Craddock and Luke Jackson vs. Will Young;

Angelo DiCarlo, who puts on great domestic fights;

Jeff Horn for not taking a step back and fighting world class opposition;
Blake Caparello for his willingness to take on all comers including Sergey Kovalev

It's time we start taking the proper steps to allow our fighters a legitimate chance of finding the win column rather than serving as cannon fodder in meaningful fights. The road back to glory is paved by building a strong domestic boxing base, plain and simple.

http://www.BS.com/?m=show&opt= ... e&id=95558

[DA GOOSE]

If you can't pronounce their name they're not coming over to win(except Krzsztof Wlodarczyk). Pretty spot on.

[bogan whisperer]

There are some sad truths pointed out in that article. Strong domestic matchups were the making of many of our past champions. Not too many in recent times though.

[AntonS]

Tomlinson now resides in Melbourne, promoted Brian Amatruda & managed by Brock Ellis

[ClivePatrickLyons]

The problem is also at the bottom of the barrel so to speak we need to fix up the bull..it our young amateur's have to put up with because of some people's EGO'S and fu.. some people's are BIG the game should be about the fighter's you see how young amateur's are excluded from any chance of representing our country because they fight with THE LEAGUE OR GLOBAL IN QUEENSLAND...........IT SHOULD BE ONE RULE FOR ALL.............. THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THE GLOVE'S ON ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE SPORT FULL STOP.

[Like a Boss]

The problem exists a lot closer to the top of the barrel too. Since local fighters stopped sorting out who was top of the pile here before venturing overseas it has all turned to you know what.

Successful fighters need a progression of challenges enabling them to improve as they go. Not a series of easy conquests followed by being knocked out by someone 3 levels higher than they have ever fought before.

[ra2006]

Lucas Browne should be the shining light when it comes to developing as a boxer. If you want to make it, and you have proved you are not a tomato can by winning a few here, then you must go to Europe to develop and face stiffer competition and to get your name out there (Mark de Mori excepted).

Unfortunately, the promoters here do not have the ambition, nor the clout internationally to get a a half decent fight for their charges.

Also, no doubt we are going to have our annual Travis fest on this bforum at the start of next year whilst his misses plays in the Aussie WTA tennis events in January. No one will want to step up to face him, and if they see Travis as a big risk fight (no offence meant to Travis as he is a great guy), then they are really going nowhere.

[bogan whisperer]

Travis has lost 7 of his last 8. Must be about ripe for picking for one of our young welterweights.