Is the WBSS a boon for boxing? Is it sustainable?

[TitoFan]

Personally, I'm pretty excited about this "playoff style" format. Single elimination brackets, proper seeding, and a single eventual winner. Sort of keeps the division's top fighters in everyone's minds. So is this a boon for boxing? Is it something that's sustainable? What are the pros and cons as you see it?

I'm all for anything that will increase general interest in boxing. I would put the WBSS in the pluses column.... but there are plenty of other factors that need to be fixed 'cause right now they're in the minuses column. We've got the usual suspects..... lousy fight judging, rampant PED use, ridiculous rehydration after weigh-ins, "marinating" fights, and just plain ol' ducking. Overuse of PPV is also hurting the sport. It's gonna get to the point where the PPV bar will be set ridiculously low, if it isn't already.

But the WBSS format, if successful, should help generate renewed interest in boxing. Let's hope other divisions can follow suit.

[Alpha]

I think it's great and can only get better. The Cruiserweight tournament showed how perfect it could be, they were only really missing Lebedev.

Injuries are always going to be the biggest problem with tournaments, but if they can get quality alternates as replacements for such occasions then I don't think it would affect the overall tournament.

I have mentioned before that even tournaments for guys on the fringe of the rankings or to determined mandatory positions would be great. Sort of like the WBC are doing at 147 with Evander.

Those that don't enter will get a 'protected' stigma, unless they are taking tough fights during the tournament run time. For example Jose Carlos Ramirez was getting that shade, but I give him a pass for now as he is taking a tough fight in Orozco. We'll have to wait to see what Hooker does from here. The tournament also force those not entered to up their game.

[powerpuncher]

I think it’s a great thing to boost certain guys into legit p4p fighters. Look at Usyk. He is now being seen as a top fighter in the sport. The winner of the bantam tournament will almost surely be up there too.

The main problem is that I just don’t see actual top fighters or cash cows (like Canelo) any reason to enter. They most likely will be able to make more not being in the tournament and have more options without being held down to specific fights.

There are obviously tons of problems with the sport. This tournament won’t fix boxing unfortunately. It will sure help boxing fans enjoy it more though.

[Alpha]

Good call powerpuncher on marquee fighters not wanting to participate. Like AJ for example, he can make more outside a WBSS tournament.

If the tournament style catches on tho and say the Ali trophy becomes synonymous alongside the lineal title say, those not entering would need to at least fight the tournament winner to gain some form of credibility.

[TitoFan]

I think it’s a great thing to boost certain guys into legit p4p fighters. Look at Usyk. He is now being seen as a top fighter in the sport. The winner of the bantam tournament will almost surely be up there too.

The main problem is that I just don’t see actual top fighters or cash cows (like Canelo) any reason to enter. They most likely will be able to make more not being in the tournament and have more options without being held down to specific fights.

There are obviously tons of problems with the sport. This tournament won’t fix boxing unfortunately. It will sure help boxing fans enjoy it more though.

I'll put a different spin on it.

There's no reason for a Canelo to enter a tournament because he's already making top dollar without having to take too many risks. For tournaments to work for everybody, you have to have boxers who aren't afraid to face anybody at any given time. In a tournament such as this there's no such thing as "marinating" or other similar, foolish nonsense. For fighters like Canelo, who can pick and choose at will, and whose fan base will forgive and forget no matter what, there's really no point in entering a tournament.

No.... the tournaments won't fix boxing. But it may slowly begin to create a certain mindset among fans, who may start to demand that the best face the best.

Now if we can only begin working with the rehydration problem.....

[Alpha]

Exactly, things won't change over night, but if the majority of top guys are fighting each other, those on the outside will need to try and keep up or get in the mix.

Look at the sh-t Jose Carlos Ramirez was getting for avoiding Prograis and the 140 pound tourney, until his announced fight with Orozco. Hooker may find himself in the same boat if he doesn't attempt to keep up.


Now if they could only work on judging.

[Fenster]

The first series was brilliant, only let down by late injuries. They created what the supersix and Haymon's PBC attempted to do, it wasn't more popular with casual fans because it had no American fighters/promoters on board therefore no TV or exposure. This time it has Matchroom (Eddie Hearn) on board with the US TV.

Who cares whether or not the "stars" enter? If people are not interested in seeing the best fight the best they're never going to be boxing fans. Floyd fans, Pac fans, Canelo, AJ etc have a casual market which is GOOD for boxing not bad.

What does it matter if the guys who only buy Canelo fights don't know who Andrade or Saunders or Murata are? Why are those fans going to "save" boxing? "Save" it from what exactly?

There's more than enough boxing to go around to suit all tastes.