Boxing as a Buffer to Global Lunacy

Boxing continues to enjoy a solid run notwithstanding any number of things singularly or in combination that could diminish interest.

The horrific Russia -Ukraine War is ongoing and, in fact, has broken through the buffer, but now it appears most have become inured to the back-and-forth fighting and bloodshed. Indeed, Usyk’s forthcoming match with Joshua, Bivol’s dominant win over Canelo, Beterbiev’s brutish slaughter of Joe Smith, and the return of Lomachenko have helped boxing fans keep their focus grounded as these are Russians and Ukrainians.

The Covid pandemic continues and shows signs that it will be with us for the foreseeable future, albeit at a lower rate. Boxing, however, seems to have survived it and great fights like Serrano vs. Taylor (fought in NYC) have entertained.

Mass shootings continue to be as American as apple pie and have been around since Gary Whitman opened fire from the University of Texas bell tower in 1966. He started a “New Kind of Madness” that has become routine as reflected in the recent tragedies in Highland Park, Illinois, and Uvalde, Texas.

The Global Climate crisis has become just that—a crisis of catastrophic floods, wildfires, and three-digit temperatures.  BUT…, for the first time in a long time, the U.S. Senate (through Senators Shumer and Manchin–yes that Manchin) seems to have struck a deal that offers tangible hope.

This good news: If it occurs, it will help boxing fans to relax and keep their eye on the ball as they anticipate great fights involving the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis, Teofimo Lopez Jr., David Benavidez, Devin Haney, Jaime Munguia, Jaron Ennis, Vergil Ortiz, Regis Prograis, Danny Garcia, etc., and a slew of exciting female fighters.

GGG vs. Canelo a third time beckons and will be BIG. If Bud Crawford meets Earl Spence Jr., that will be bigger.

Jake Paul needs to disappear. What he is doing is not good for boxing as it conjures up a side-show notion of what the sport is all about. Juan Manuel Marquez concurs. “In my point of view, without fear of being wrong, it’s a great lack of respect for boxing,” says JMM.

Meanwhile, top tier heavyweights like Fury, Usyk, Joshua, and Wilder offer super fights. Ruiz, Ortiz, Helenius, Parker, Joyce, Hunter, Filip Hrgovic, Makhmudov, Dubois, Jared ‘Big Baby’ Anderson and others are ready to step in and up.

Inflation impacts boxing tickets just like it impacts everything else. So far, so good, but it likely will have a somewhat negative impact on PPV prices.

Former President Donald Trump (always boxing-friendly) lurks and the possibility of his getting involved in fights in Dubai or the Saudi Empire opens up an entirely new horizon. Of course, he has other issues to deal with, and his involvement in the LIV Golf tournament has been, in his words, a “disasta.”

During past periods of turmoil, boxing was a sanctuary where one could hide from the likes of a mounting death toll in the Kentucky flooding, or from the inexplicably toxic debate vis a vis burn pit legislation (The Pact Act), or from politicians who have absolutely no interest in anything except maintaining their benefits and power — and their constituents be damned.

This time around is no exception; boxing provides a safe place, a catharsis. It’s resilient, alive, and well, and given the extraordinary external circumstances, maybe more so than ever.

(Pictured: Former world heavyweight boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko, mayor of Kyiv.)

Ted Sares enjoys writing about boxing and can be reached at tedsares@roadrunner.com

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