Addressing the PED problem

[TitoFan]

Geeez... enough with the money excuse already. There's plenty of money in boxing. Set aside an appropriate amount for testing. If not, then let's watch the sport continue to suffer from increased PED use until a high profile fighter gets killed or brain damaged. Then... the calls to ban boxing or clean it up will be ringing off the rafters and something will have to be done. Better now than to wait until that happens.

If the promoters and sanctioning bodies cannot come up with the coin after leeching fighters for billions of dollars over the years then provide a suitable pension/retirement plan based on shelf life.

I think this is a very doable, sensible action, although it doesn't directly take care of the PED problem. Indirectly, however it would make it less "necessary" for over-the-hill fighters to continue hanging on for that last paycheck, particularly when the only motive is paying off debts. Thus, reducing the probability of a washed up fighter getting seriously hurt. Old fighters might also be less prone to try and extend their careers through their own use of PEDs.

But a big portion of those billions should also go toward testing for PEDs. We seem to find a million excuses as to why it can't be done.... but what we need is someone with the gumption to say "Let's just do it and see what happens. We'll tweak the system if needed as we go."

Agreed. I guess my point is that if you are going to throw the health of fighters under the bus by ignoring the issue because of probable lost revenue then to me they are at the very least morally obligated (if they have morals) to set up a variety of plans including assured health benefits after the fighters are done. Peds or not. But imo by ignoring the Ped issue these obligations become stronger and philosophically necessary.

Yep. I just find it inexcusable to be putting up "dollars and cents" barriers and excuses, when PEDs in boxing could easily lead to tragedies in the ring. Suffice it to say the sport has its inherent dangers already. We don't need to add more. And when you see the vast amounts of money flowing in big fights, excuses make even less sense. Just last night I caught part of "The Fight Game", with Jim Lampley... and he closed with a statement regarding the increasing use of PEDs. It's a real issue, and as humorously posted with a picture a few posts back.... it won't go away even if we bury our heads in the sand.