GAME CHANGER
commissions don’t know what to make of the proposed legislation – if indeed they are even aware of it. Rest assured, boxing’s major promoters and the sanctioning organizations – who work closely with them – will vehemently oppose any change in governance that would threaten their dual control over the sport and the cozy, corrupt system that’s lined their pockets for decades. Boxing’s current business model is broken. Even with the occasional megafight, the sport’s long-term health is in serious jeopardy. Time for change is long overdue. One thing is certain: If the UBO takes off and it mimics the UFC model, it will represent a seismic change for the sport.
could become a monopoly and the fighters taken advantage of in terms of earnings, especially if the new Ali Act favors promoters over fighters. It would be especially problematic if the UBO becomes unaccountable to outside oversight. In that scenario, the UBO would be no better than the IBF, WBA, WBC or WBO and we would be back to square one. Hopefully, this will not be the case. A Roadmap for Safety Reform On the plus side, safety is a priority in the UFC. It is hoped that same concern would also apply to their boxing division. I know of no combat sports organization, other than the
and never have to pay fees – they will flock to the new organization. Dana White, the CEO of the UFC, is directly involved in the new boxing venture and has said the project is progressing well with Paramount+ on board as a broadcaster. If he brings to boxing the same organization, marketing savvy and focus on safety that made the UFC a global powerhouse, then maybe – just maybe – this version of boxing can succeed and be good for the sport. Will the UBO be a panacea for boxing? We will have to wait and see. The devil, as they say, is in the details. Much depends on how the bill is implemented and enforced and how it evolves over time. It is understandable if many fans remain pessimistic. The history of boxing is replete with abuse, exploitation, promoter control, conflicts of interest and corrupt practices. The sad truth is that it’s the boxers who usually wind up getting the short end of the stick. The new bill, if poorly implemented, could risk repeating many of those dangers under a different structural guise. One should always be cognizant of the fact that, in professional boxing, things could always get worse – and often do.
Boxing’s current business model is broken. Even with the occasional megafight, the sport’s long-term health is in serious jeopardy. Time for change is long overdue.
But will its entry into the fray further balkanize professional boxing by creating yet another Alphabet organization that recognizes its own set of champions and contenders? Can we be assured that boxing will not be replacing one bad system with another? Critics of the bill say it would concentrate too much power in one entity. They caution that the UBO, like the UFC, would take over the roles of matchmaker, ranking organization, sanctioning body and rights holder. This could lead to abuses involving corrupt arrangements, manipulated rankings and bias in matchmaking. Like the UFC, the UBO
UFC, that suspends referees who tend to stop fights too late. No state boxing commission has ever done that. If the UBO is serious about boxing safety it should study the reforms outlined in my new book, When in Doubt, Stop the Bout: A Revolutionary Approach to Boxing Safety and Reform . The book provides a useful roadmap for making the sport safer while still preserving its inherent drama and excitement. Ending Sanctioning Fees The part of the bill that prohibits all “sanctioning fees” charged to fighters is very significant. It could be the catalyst that will finally bring an end to the Alphabet gangs. Sanctioning fees are the only reason they exist. If fighters realize they can do better financially as employees of the UBO –
Needed: A Boxing Commissioner Worthy of the Task
One final thought: If this new system is going to succeed, it needs to appoint a commissioner with impeccable credentials. The UBO needs a national commissioner with the integrity and authority of a David Stern or Pete Rozelle, two of the most impactful and successful commissioners in their respective sports. It would go a long way in restoring the public’s confidence in professional boxing. Award-winning boxing historian and author Mike Silver’s newest book is When in Doubt, Stop the Bout: A Revolutionary Approach to Boxing Safety and Reform.
Dana White is a strong advocate of the Ring Magazine championship.
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