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12/07/2005 Archived Entry: "‘Scorched Earth’ Approach to Competition—Is This Really Good for Boxing?"
‘Scorched Earth’ Approach to Competition—Is This Really Good for Boxing?
By Juan C. Ayllon
CHICAGO – In the oil-rich Sudan, the government allegedly pursued a ‘scorched earth’ policy, in which people were killed, raped and had their homes razed to facilitate the lucrative cultivation of oil reserves by outside oil companies*. In Chicago boxing circles, a veritable renaissance—where opportunity abounds—is occurring. And, yet, it seems that certain principals are determined to scorch and burn the competition out via publicly broadcast slanderous accusations, legal wrangling and other means in order to maximize their take of profits. What they fail to grasp is that, like the citizenry in the Sudan, boxers are sometimes hurt, and, as with a fire raging out of control, the principals and the sport may ultimately be consumed as well.
There’s a saying that goes, if you live in a glass house, you don’t throw rocks. Well, boxing is that glass house.
Already beset by poor image problems through a few highly publicized felonious boxers, horrible decisions, a troubled heavyweight division, ring deaths, and widespread corruption allegations, the last thing boxing needs is more bad publicity. Time and again, rumors have emerged that the sport of boxing teeters on the cusp of extinction. A recent, high profile Jesuit publication called boxing immoral and murderous; as such, it called for its ban. More than a few legislators have expressed similar sentiments. Unlike the “Jerry Springer Show,” shoveling varied and sordid dirt into the media for public consumption simply does not help its cause.
In the interests of providing a balanced forum this last week, I published interviews of Chicago’s top two promoters, as well as a fight manager who has done business with both of them and currently conducts some business with the latter. While providing fascinating insight and some entertainment value, the discourse was sullied by personal attacks. The experience left me feeling somehow dirty, and in desperate need of a bath. This sense was further heightened in a conversation with a ring announcer this last Saturday, as he spoke despairingly of a rash of smear campaigns being waged on Internet boxing sites.
No doubt, I shoulder a portion of the responsibility for broadcasting some of the vitriol. I stand corrected.
In the Cyber Boxing Zone’s Message Board, there is a strict, “no flame” policy. It essentially states that while you may argue your opinions vigorously, at no time are you to post personal attacks. As a result, the board flourishes.
Whereas this is a news page, it is not a clearinghouse for dirty laundry. There are other avenues better suited for that.
In my opinion, there needs to be some sort of decorum, some basic standards and ways of conducting business and comporting ourselves in the public eye. Otherwise, like a neighborhood gone awry, boxing will likely wither into an amoral abyss, where lawlessness and corruption reign and good people stay away.
There are those that would argue that this is already the case. However, I would argue that I see a lot of good—and good people—in boxing. I think it’s simply a matter of policing ourselves and cleaning up our act. If we don’t, we may not have anything left, but a burned out sport and a few tawdry shills hustling the few that still care.
Let’s keep it clean. You have an argument or gripe? By all means, use the phone, use the fax, email, or—worst-case scenario—use a lawyer to work it out. But, please, don’t use the media to smear and besmirch others. Not if you care about the health and long-term prosperity of the sport of boxing.
*Reference: http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/indepth/0103suda/sudan1.pdf
