[Bajingo]

American senators John McCain and Harry Reid have introduced legislation that would create a national body to govern boxing.

The United States Boxing Commission would be tasked with administering federal boxing law, working with the industry and local commissions and licensing boxers, promoters, managers and sanctioning bodies.

While sanctioning bodies could provide names of referees and judges it considers qualified, only the the national commission could make appointments for fights.

It comes in the wake of of Timothy Bradley's controversial points decision win against Manny Pacquiao earlier this month, when the majority of viewers felt Pacquiao had won by a wide margin.

"Clearly, the conspiracy theories and speculation surrounding the fight are given life because there are so many questions surrounding the integrity of the sport, and how it is managed in multiple juristictions," said McCain.

The former presidential candidate, who boxed during his time at the US Naval Academy, pointed out that boxing is the only sport in the United States without a strong, centralized association to regulate it.

:think

Interesting. It's certainly a step in the right direction, but I wonder how much power this new body will actually have. Can/will they suspend bad officials, for instance? Or introduce mandatory VADA testing? Also it's a shame that it took a bad decision in such a high profile fight to make this happen, when there are robberies as bad as that frequently and there have been much worse decisions already this year.

 

[dftaylor]

McCain has been trying this for years. hopefully it happens this time.

 

[Chatty]

It is just what boxing needs if they can get it to work. I presume there will be a lot of pissed off promoters, sanctioning body presidents, officials etc if this comes about as it would be an end to their reign of terror on the sport.

First thing they should do is sanction a unification tournament in every division, bring in VADA testing for all high profile and world level boxers, give strict guidelines out to officials and investigate those who have been involved in the many heinous robberies over the last couple of years.

That alone would sort out many of the problems boxing has.

The only main problem with that would be guys like Pacquaio and Martinez would not be involved in the unification as they don't hold belts and that would be a bit shit.

 

[Robney]

This looks like a good move, but we have to wait and see what this means in reality.
It's always a atrocity in a big event that finally triggers something like this, while this crap is going on for many decades already... better late than never I'd say.

 

[Twelvey]

Needs to have sufficient powers otherwise it wouldn't work and would merely be one amongst many. It's what the sport needs if it's done right though.

 

[Clay Davis]

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeit

 

[GazOC]

McCain has been trying do this for the last 25 years.

 

[DanielJFiasco]

This will go cold as soon as the controversy is out of the press. It's just a little bit of posturing by McCain, doing what politicians do best. Talking big when an issue is in the papers, then brushing it under the carpet when nobody is watching. If this happens, I'll eat McCain oven chips everyday for one whole year.

 

[GazOC]

One of the problems is that boxing is such a cesspit that no one really wants the job of trying to sort it out.

 

[Chatty]

One of the problems is that boxing is such a cesspit that no one really wants the job of trying to sort it out.

Couldn't agree more, its one big mess and the people at the top are generally happy with it that way as it suits their agendas.

 

[BoxingAnalyst]

This will go cold as soon as the controversy is out of the press. It's just a little bit of posturing by McCain, doing what politicians do best. Talking big when an issue is in the papers, then brushing it under the carpet when nobody is watching. If this happens, I'll eat McCain oven chips everyday for one whole year.

This.

 

[2manyusernames]

Sounds like a lot of hot air and not much else. I'd love for it to be followed through with, but realistically it's just a bit of posturing.

 

[Swarmer]

a step in the right direction, hopefully it yields something good.

 

[Wiirdo]

a step in the right direction, hopefully it yields something good.

:lol: The Coli is rubbing off you breh.

 

[Barlivia]

This legislation could lie idle for a long time I wouldn't hold my breath. Step in the right direction though

 

[Swarmer]

:lol: The Coli is rubbing off you breh.

I actually first saw and started using this gif on my mainstay forum (the goat)

http://www.neogaf.com

 

[Batkilt]

This will go cold as soon as the controversy is out of the press. It's just a little bit of posturing by McCain, doing what politicians do best. Talking big when an issue is in the papers, then brushing it under the carpet when nobody is watching. If this happens, I'll eat McCain oven chips everyday for one whole year.

You're accusing a man that has been trying to get a national boxing commission approved by congress for decades of posturing? It's not. He's attempting to capitalise on the outcry of the Pacquiao/Bradley fight - that isn't posturing though. It's opportunistic.

 

[Swarmer]

You're accusing a man that has been trying to get a national boxing commission approved by congress for decades of posturing? It's not. He's attempting to capitalise on the outcry of the Pacquiao/Bradley fight - that isn't posturing though. It's opportunistic.

Seriously :lol:

I have a lot of not so great things to say about McCain but the idea that he is not a boxing fan and is fumbling for leverage is hilarious. Not only has he been doing it for ages, but to be honest it wouldnt even be a good use of energy even if he was angling for political reasons. Nobody gives enough of a fuck about boxing here.

Not to mention that McCain was actually a boxer at one point in time as well in the navy.

 

[dftaylor]

I can't stand McCain's politics (and he's well-known as an opportunist, even in his prime), but he was a brave soldier in Vietnam (IIRC), was tortured horribly and can't move his shoulders fully as a result, and I think he's genuine about boxing. He really loves the sport, he's sometimes spotted in the crowd at smaller cards and he really seems to be concerned about protecting fighters.

So what if it's opportunistic, but it's hardly going to set him up for another run at the presidency.

 

[Batkilt]

Seriously :lol:

I have a lot of not so great things to say about McCain but the idea that he is not a boxing fan and is fumbling for leverage is hilarious. Not only has he been doing it for ages, but to be honest it wouldnt even be a good use of energy even if he was angling for political reasons. Nobody gives enough of a fuck about boxing here.

Not to mention that McCain was actually a boxer at one point in time as well in the navy.

Exactly. When you consider his political career and business interests why would he waste time trying to get a commission established if it was just posturing? He's a boxing fan and genuinely believes in the need for a commission in the US.

I'm not a fan of his political views but he can't be faulted for once again trying for this.