My lifelong dislike of Oscar's hype aside, I think this move is bad for boxing. Oscar has proven he is a shrewd businessman and his name recognition and personality can serve him well if he really wants to increase boxing's fan base. And although I rooted against him as a boxer, I'll root for him to increase boxing's popularity.

But buying Ring Magazine? He's a promoter, for heaven's sake. And until recently, Ring Magazine was recognized as THE authority on boxer rankings. Whether you agreed or not, there was Ring Magazine, a supposedly impartial authority on boxing. We all bitched and moaned if our favorite fighters were not high enough on the lists, but we read them just the same.

And now the authority is owned by a boxing promoter. Anyone that doesn't at least raise an eyebrow at this event is clueless, IMO. Rankings and promoters mix about as well as oil and water.

Capitalism is one thing... (you got the money, you can buy all the magazines you want).... but keep ranking bodies separate from any self-serving interests. Otherwise, people will lose respect for all ranking mechanisms. And boxing without rankings will just wither and go away.