[Back to Bill]

Morning all.

I have been sat here for the last half hour thinking about instances where something has happened that changed Boxing and made it better? I can only think of one and that came out of the tragedy of what happened to Michael Watson.

After that fight and the aftermath of it, Medical assistance ringside was vastly improved and measures would be taken to try and do everything possible to make sure a boxer is safe and healthy.

Other than that I'm a little bit stuck, can anybody else think of any?

 

[Bryn]

I'm not really sure if this is what you're asking, but as far as improvements go that have made boxing better for the fans then you don't need to look any further than YouTube, or the internet in general. It's made the sport far more accessible and has made fights/footage that previously you would've never been able to find just a quick Google away.

As far as changes within the sport go, which I think is your question, that one is a bit harder...

 

[Back to Bill]

I'm not really sure if this is what you're asking, but as far as improvements go that have made boxing better for the fans then you don't need to look any further than YouTube, or the internet in general. It's made the sport far more accessible and has made fights/footage that previously you would've never been able to find just a quick Google away.

As far as changes within the sport go, which I think is your question, that one is a bit harder...

That's exactly the sort of thing mate and I totally agree, the invention of the internet brought fight archives to the masses, it's hard to imagine there was a time when all you had was newspapers/mags and teletext.

 

[Vano-irons]

I think having boxers go to a neutral corner when a knockdown is scored, as well as a mandatory 8 count, is far better than what we had before, with boxers just standing over the fallen fighter and smacking him back down when he rose. It's a lot safer, and much fairer IMO.

 

[Back to Bill]

I think having boxers go to a neutral corner when a knockdown is scored, as well as a mandatory 8 count, is far better than what we had before, with boxers just standing over the fallen fighter and smacking him back down when he rose. It's a lot safer, and much fairer IMO.

That's a good point, I didn't think of that to be fair. What about 24 hour weigh ins, its a lot safer for the boxers, the only downside is the absurd amount of weight some fighters put on?

 

[Bryn]

That's a good point, I didn't think of that to be fair. What about 24 hour weigh ins, its a lot safer for the boxers, the only downside is the absurd amount of weight some fighters put on?

It can be argued that 24 hour weigh-ins (or more like 36 hour weigh ins) are just as bad health-wise, it just encourages fighters to cut even more weight. I'd still prefer same day weigh-ins, as I'm sure most would.

 

[Vano-irons]

That's a good point, I didn't think of that to be fair. What about 24 hour weigh ins, its a lot safer for the boxers, the only downside is the absurd amount of weight some fighters put on?

24 hour weigh ins is a good idea. But its abused horribly

 

[Back to Bill]

It can be argued that 24 hour weigh-ins (or more like 36 hour weigh ins) are just as bad health-wise, it just encourages fighters to cut even more weight. I'd still prefer same day weigh-ins, as I'm sure most would.

Yeah me too, it's the fairest way.

 

[Bryn]

24 hour weigh ins is a good idea. But its abused horribly

Aye, I know we've talked about it before, but interval checks at set periods before the fight should be set with a maximum percantage of weight allowed. Don't the IBF do something like this, or is that just the extra weigh-in on the day of the fight?

 

[Vano-irons]

Aye, I know we've talked about it before, but interval checks at set periods before the fight should be set with a maximum percantage of weight allowed. Don't the IBF do something like this, or is that just the extra weigh-in on the day of the fight?

Yeah, the IBF only allow fighters to go up by 12-15lb after the weigh in (I forget which). I'd rather a fighter kill themselves to make weight and have 36 hours recovery, rather than killing themselves and stepping into the ring an hour later. It's a lot safer. But like I said, the system is horribly abused

 

[Chatty]

Not sure when or why (originally) it started but having a set maximum weight difference is a good thing.

I read this somewhere and I may be getting completely mixed up but I think Rubin Carter had something to do with getting an extra rope on the ring and loosening of them so that a boxer doesn't snap his head when he is KD. I'll look into more later today and see if I can find where I read it.

 

[Back to Bill]

Not sure when or why (originally) it started but having a set maximum weight difference is a good thing.

I read this somewhere and I may be getting completely mixed up but I think Rubin Carter had something to do with getting an extra rope on the ring and loosening of them so that a boxer doesn't snap his head when he is KD. I'll look into more later today and see if I can find where I read it.

Interesting, I may have a quick search myself.

 

[Chatty]

Interesting, I may have a quick search myself.

i can't find any info on the net and i only rented his book from the library. It definitely happened though but the only thing I'm querying myself on is if it was actually carter or if i'm getting the boxer confused. I'm about 70% sure it was him though.

 

[Scotty]

Honeyghan bum-rushing Bumphus paved the way for the 10 second buzzer to be introduced in the UK.

 

[Flea Man]

Good thread

 

[Flea Man]

@chatty Was that not Davey Moore?

 

[Chatty]

Could well be @Flea Man, I can't pinpoint where I read it now so could be anyone. I can't find no info online either

 

[Back to Bill]

Interesting stuff lads, Where do you all stand on Frank Warren breaking up the monopoly of the old cartel of Mickey Duff, Astaire, Levine etc?

I was too young to really remember but it enabled other promoters to make a name for them self, so I suppose that has to be classed as a good thing?

 

[dftaylor]

It was more that Warren broke the will of the Board to control the fight game, based on what Duff, etc wanted. And he stopped TV exclusivity. But Frank is more interested in what's good for him, not always for boxing. If the two come at the same time, he'll do it. If not, not his fucking problem.

Some might disagree, but I think his recent challenge to the Board served as a wake-up call. They can't ignore him just because Eddie and Co are their new besties, and he's a smart enough businessman to out-manoeuvre all sides. Hopefully that will lead to some changes in how business happens in the UK and the sport can be a bit more transparent and democratic.

 

[Back to Bill]

I see what saying df, I'm not Warrens biggest fan by any stretch, I think the fallout over the Luxembourg incident is far from over, its all gone a little bit quiet which probably means legal proceedings are ongoing. The board needed a wake up call and to start moving with the times hopefully this is it, be interesting to find out the outcome eventually.