On July 18, Canelo Alvarez turned 34. Terence Crawford, who has been clamoring for a fight with the super middleweight champion, will turn 37 later this month. Maybe Alvarez still has a few more years in boxing. However, many fans feel that the journey for the Nebraskan Southpaw may be nearing its end. What about ‘The Monster’? Naoya Inoue is just 31, so he still has quite a few years left in the ring. Nevertheless, for all those who watched these icons reach the pinnacle of the sport, a pressing question remains: where does the road eventually lead?

More pertinently, what happens when these legendary figures finally hang up their gloves? Who will step in to carry on their legacy? Former two-division champion Timothy ‘Tim’ Bradley seems befuddled by these looming thoughts. Perhaps it echoes the thoughts of many fans who dread this inevitable moment. Last month, Crawford claimed the WBA light middleweight championship. Inoue, on the other hand, defended his undisputed title yet again a few days ago. The Mexican superstar would step into the ring for the second time a few days from now.

Timothy Bradley: Insights on the future

“Canelo’s gone; once Crawford decides to hang’em up, once Inoue decides to hang’em up, I mean, who do we have to hold on to, guys?” asked the ‘Desert Storm’. He wanted to understand who would follow in the footsteps of these multi-division world champions.

The former world champion, well known for the trilogy fights with the great Manny Pacquiao, urged fans to appreciate and celebrate these outstanding athletes while they were still active and fighting. Why? “Because once they are gone, man boxing’s going to be kind of dead. I’m not going to lie!” said the ‘Desert Storm’.

If observed closely, Bradley might borrow a few names from the heavyweight division as well. Three months from now, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will face off once again. The Ukrainian champion has ticked all the boxes that secure him a place in the pantheon of boxing greats. Olympic gold medalist, unified, and then undisputed cruiserweight championship, and then the century’s first undisputed heavyweight champion. Usyk will be 38 in January next year. So the December rematch may be one of the last few fights before he announces retirement.

Tyson Fury is also not far behind. Though he has publicly announced of not retiring before 5 fights, the Mancunian might as well be considered running the last leg of his outstanding career.

Holding the torch

So in a lot of ways, Timothy Bradley’s contemplation hits the bullseye. After Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, and Usyk retire, who would have the grit, determination, and will to sacrifice everything to reach boxing heights? It’s a sobering thought for boxing fans.

But then the flipside of the argument is also equally compelling. The old guard has to evacuate the fort. Otherwise, how will the new generation get an opportunity to establish their names? Some fans might hint at the lull in boxing during the post-Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Lennox Lewis era. But the vacuum never prolonged. The likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao filled up the void.

Surely, after growing up watching Alvarez, Crawford, and Inoue, it would be difficult for many fans to imagine someone else taking their place. But the transition has to happen. Only then will the sport receive continuity. Boxing will stay alive!

What is your view? Do you also feel that the departure of present-day greats will be detrimental to boxing’s future?