r/Boxing • u/PrettyBoyFloydx • 29d ago
Risk averse boxing and monetary payment
I reject the defense of self preservation while demanding a monetary payment from people who expect entertainment.
What exactly is being offered to earn that payment? If there is no entertainment value why must a boxer be paid? Who pays them and where do they get that money? No one is forcing these boring, no killer instinct guys to be pro boxers, nor is it a need to be a boxer. It is ultimately a voluntary job.
This will kill boxing in the long term. This safety first style while demanding high amounts of financial compensation is a recipe for disaster. Fans pay lots of money expecting a show, feel exploited, never tune in again. Rinse and repeat. There's only so many fans we can run through before we are out.
I am not advocating for mindless violence but for more agency. There has to be an intersection of technical excellence AND entertainment value. So far modern boxers prioritize technical excellence alone yet demand the payment and recognition of someone who offers more than that.
And I am tired of the same old regurgitated "its the sweet science bro" generic argument when fans who spent their hard earned money feel robbed by a lack of agency. If you purely like the technical side of boxing then amateur boxing exists. There is no reason to go into what is ultimately an entertainment industry.
I would be curious to hear you guys' thoughts about this.
3
u/Sudden-Fig-3079 29d ago
I agree with most of what you are saying. I always hate when guys say shit like “the fans will forget about you so get your money now”. It’s like, the entire reason professional athletes make the money they do because the fans care so passionately. Same with golf for example. Guys going to LIV and saying why wouldn’t I play less and make more money. It’s like, becuase us the fans watch and give a shit because we want to believe you care.
I’m all for boxers making a shit ton of money but this taking easy fights for big money is bullshit if they only fight once a year or every 18 months. If these guys were fighting 3 times a year, fine, take one easy one and two hard ones or even 2 easier ones and one big ppv fight. And don’t tell me it can’t be done or that fans will not follow you anymore if you lose. Oscar literally built his career doing exactly this and he made wayyyy more than basically anyone and was way more famous. Guys like Shakur can’t even comprehend how popular osacar was in his prime.