Ring Magazine on the Road to Sanity

[Spicoli]

Alphabets don't honor they're own order. I stopped relying on them when they were ranking challengers 2a and 2b with number one spot vacant in regards to Jones jr at one point. They have more flexibility and more massaging than a cat house in the Philippines. Its a more the merrier mentality. Either have number 1 mean something, with eliminations or just put the names in a hat...ask the network who they approve...and tell the fans this is more popularity than it is at the time merit.

What is a belt to be 'offered' if they are so prevalent and passed around? Are you fighting to hold up shiny objects or to have the best fight the best? A toddler gets the same satisfaction when he has the bigger set of plastic keys on a colorful ring.

I love the concept of the Ring rankings but have yet to determine how much of an influence its new owner...Golden Boy Enterprises among others...has on its rankings knowing that GBP is a major promotional company. Then again they did recognize Morrand Hakkar as a worthy challenger for its prestigious belt vs Hopkins moons ago even though he was a sub & not ranked in the Rings top 10. They are not perfect.

[VictorCharlie]

I think getting rid of the alphabets and having one champion and one set of rankings per weight class would do phenomenal good for the sport. Hard to see how anyone wouldn't see it that way.

[fan johnny]

I think getting rid of the alphabets and having one champion and one set of rankings per weight class would do phenomenal good for the sport. Hard to see how anyone wouldn't see it that way.

I don't, causal people don't care about fights that are not for the championship. Just look at other sports and notice how the viewing goes up during the finals. That's why you always hear the announcer spout off the belts the fighter has had rather than just the one he has. Including the minor stuff if that is all he has. Selling a fight is easier if there is a belt on the line.

[Kev]

I think getting rid of the alphabets and having one champion and one set of rankings per weight class would do phenomenal good for the sport. Hard to see how anyone wouldn't see it that way.

It's totally unrealistic and unfair. Do you also belive that the banking elite should be paid millions in bonuses whilst the cashiers get a minimum wage?

Your view relates purely to the perspective of the fan and takes no account of those actually getting inside the ropes and fighting, or their trainers, managers, promoters etc.

If you were a promising young athletic youth considering which sport to get into why would you choose boxing if their was only one title per weight class? With over 10,000 current pro boxers and one title per weight class what would be the realistic chances of you fighting for titles? Now contrast that with all other sports that offer a myriad of competitions and events, then what is the appeal of boxing exactly?

The way to look at it is this. The belts are not there to reward you, the fan. Rather they are there to ensure that more fighters can fight for something meaningful, get television exposure and earn some money in the sport they have dedicated their life to.

It seems so bizarre to me that when it comes to society people are aghast at the disparity between rich and poor and deplore the fat cats and those taking everything.

Yet in boxing you want to take away the livelihoods of most of those who practice the sport you love, and whose blood and sweat entertains you.

The belts are functionally necessary.

[VictorCharlie]

I think getting rid of the alphabets and having one champion and one set of rankings per weight class would do phenomenal good for the sport. Hard to see how anyone wouldn't see it that way.

It's totally unrealistic and unfair. Do you also belive that the banking elite should be paid millions in bonuses whilst the cashiers get a minimum wage?

Your view relates purely to the perspective of the fan and takes no account of those actually getting inside the ropes and fighting, or their trainers, managers, promoters etc.

If you were a promising young athletic youth considering which sport to get into why would you choose boxing if their was only one title per weight class? With over 10,000 current pro boxers and one title per weight class what would be the realistic chances of you fighting for titles? Now contrast that with all other sports that offer a myriad of competitions and events, then what is the appeal of boxing exactly?

The way to look at it is this. The belts are not there to reward you, the fan. Rather they are there to ensure that more fighters can fight for something meaningful, get television exposure and earn some money in the sport they have dedicated their life to.

It seems so bizarre to me that when it comes to society people are aghast at the disparity between rich and poor and deplore the fat cats and those taking everything.

Yet in boxing you want to take away the livelihoods of most of those who practice the sport you love, and whose blood and sweat entertains you.

The belts are functionally necessary.

How comunist of you Bilbo. Seriously you have been trading barbs with Miles too long win you make some lame analogy that every boxers deserves their own special title so they feel good about themselves to "evil" capitalist bankers. And yeah I am looking at it purely from a fan's perspective. I want to see the best fights between then best fighters in each division. I don't need some trinket of a belt to be on the line to be interested in two top tier fighters getting in the ring together. I also don't really buy that a single belt/ranking per weight class is some how going to impoverish boxers. Honestly considering the declining state of boxing I think the opposite is true. Better fights and better credibility would probably mean more fans and more money for fighters. If you are so concerned with boxer's self esteem then have multiple belts but only one world champion and have one set of rankings so that world champion has to face the #1 contender at least once a year or be stripped. As it is today we have a watered down system with shoddy rankings where "champions" would rather fight bullshit mandatory contenders than unite the belts. Hell lets just start with the different belts ranking the other guys champion.

[Kev]

I think getting rid of the alphabets and having one champion and one set of rankings per weight class would do phenomenal good for the sport. Hard to see how anyone wouldn't see it that way.

Also, I hate you. I just clicked onto facebook having not yet seen the Strikeforce show and your post congratulating the winner was thhe top news story.

Last week, after being constantly let down by fight news services proclaiming me the fight results on facebook I finally unsubscribed from them all to avoid it happening in future.

I am a bitter man right now

[Spicoli]

Dean Chance loves ya Bilbo