As boxing continues to fall further behind the more exciting and popular world of MMA, at least the sport has kept its dignity. Wait, what dignity?
On December 20th, a decomposing Holyfield (42-9-2) will challenge seven-foot monster Nicolay Valuev (49-1) for his WBA heavyweight title, in a fight that will either take place in Germany or Switzerland either because Valuev is popular in Europe or because when Holyfield’s name is brought up at New York, New Jersey and Las Vegas commission hearings they think someone is making a funny. It will be the first fight for Holyfield since being dismantled by former WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov last October, a fight many thought would close the curtain on his career.
It probably should have.But in their infinite wisdom Valuev’s promoter, Sauerland Event, and the WBA have decided Holyfield, who is ranked just a notch above Tyson these days, warrants a shot at the heavyweight crown. They have decided that a 45-year old man who hasn’t beaten a legitimate opponent in six years (and I’m generously referring to Hasim Rahman, who Holyfield knocked out in 2002, as legitimate) is worthy of competing for a piece of what was once the most coveted title in the world.
And just like that, boxing — and the heavyweight division in particular — has once again become a laughingstock.
If boxing truly wants to save itself, it needs young, up-and-coming athletes to emerge. It can’t keep going back to retreads like Holyfield because the sport will never attract the attention of younger generations. One of the reasons MMA is more popular right now is because they have a nice blend of fighters that people want to back. A 20-year old in college doesn’t want to back Holyfield right now. They need new blood and fresh talent. Then maybe, maybe, the sport can start to grow again.
