Is there anything boxing can do about the inactivity in some boxers?

[p4pking]

The fighters want to fight because that is how they earn their money so it is not in their interest not to actively fight. The only legitimate reason why they would not is to maintain their number 1 spot and not risk the slot.

Ward has had contractual issue but a lot of fighters can not fight because of legal and promotional issues. Perhaps the Boxing Union be set up to protect and represent the boxer to be able to get back into the ring asap as their career is time limited and every year they are out is time lost earning.

It's not in my best interest to take days off either, I still do it because I can and I want to a lot of the time. If I were an elite boxer who could make millions I'd probably fight once a year as well. It's as though people don't realize how bad boxing is for you, not matter how long they follow this sport. I respect the warriors who will fight often and anyone, anywhere, but I sure as hell don't envy them. Most of them do it because they have to, frightful way to make a living. If say Mayweather(just an easy example because he's made so much money and wasn't active) had traveled everywhere taking on all comers in his prime, fought everyone people wanted him to at the right times, he probably would have had to retire years ago and not made half the dough. Can anyone honestly say they would have done that in his position? I mean without just being a goof say it.

[Spicoli]

For me the mass attraction and saving grace of boxing is the individuality of it. Its best ring center after some longshot no hoper realizes his biggest victory and worst with crooked judges determining some guys immediate future, broken contracts and blown weights, or top guys of every era who found a way not to fight each other. In the end its not a team sport and if some slouch is willing to be stripped of a trinket, be sued over contract, clowned by fans or dropped from the rankings that's on them. On the other end, some inactivity is good for some fighters..think quality over quantity...if you're on some running up the numbers kick or stacking a record full of pre determined fall guys I just assume you stay off the air. Whatever the case..time erodes.

[Violent Demise]

A fighter should fight as often as "he" wants too. He is the one taking the punches. It's moronic for anyone else to call it unacceptable.

[Primo Carnera]

A fighter should fight as often as "he" wants too. He is the one taking the punches. It's moronic for anyone else to call it unacceptable.

Of course you have a very valid point and are indeed correct. But at the same time, let's not compare some of the modern fighters who fight rarely to some of their predecessors.
I don't want to pick anyone out in particular as an example, but I have to . Let's take Andre Ward, despite being a wonderful boxer,he can never be put into a debate about the greats, because He simply hasn't pushed himself enough. If I was a great fighter of the past, I'd be vexed when Ward's name comes up, because I would've had to fight to earn a living, whereas this guy, admittedly talented can strut around talking a lot and fighting very little. Perhaps they earn too much, hence no need to fight as often. Fine, but the fans are paying more and seeing less, and somewhere along the line, that golden egg will disappear.
I don't think it's out of order to want to see a good fighter fight twice a year at least. Obviously as people get stronger and faster and more powerful, nobody expects these guys to fight once a month.
It is an interesting subject and there are many viewpoints on it.

[Dia bando]

A fighter should fight as often as "he" wants too. He is the one taking the punches. It's moronic for anyone else to call it unacceptable.

I think you are right with this one, it's easy for the arm chair warriors to shout there mouths off
they are not the ones getting smacked in the mouth.

[powerpuncher]

I've always felt that professional athletes owe their fans because of how much they get paid. For example, if a fighter gets paid $2 million to fight someone then decides to not fight for a year, I think he is cheating the fans. He got a huge payday and we deserve to be entertained by them more often.

Maybe that's a solution. There is a limit to earn depending on how often you fight and your competition. There's really no way to enforce that though.