Much has been said about boxing losing ground to other combat sports. Crowds look like they are abandoning the sport to storm the arenas, offering more exciting and rapid-fire outcomes. The debate still continues. One might try to find reasons behind the so-called problems with boxing. But, few believe the solution probably lies more within than without.

According to a boxing commentator, two steps must be taken to bring back the crowds. Their presence may increase the sport’s pace and ensure the boxers fight every round to the fullest, giving fans their money’s worth. From the scorecards to the pre-event setting, let’s hear what one of the most keenly followed commentators stated.

Punches in Bunches: Making Boxing More Exciting

@Showbizz_the_adult shared a post early in July. It featured one poser for all the fans and followers: “These 2 changes will make boxing the No. 1 sport again. #floydmayweather #boxing #showbizz. Do you agree with these changes? What other things would be good for the sport?”

In the adjoining clip, the boxing commentator began with a question. Why did the sport reportedly witness better days back in the past than it is now? According to him, apparently with his son Floyd Mayweather Jr., when the question was asked forward, the former champion’s father gave a straightforward response, without any sugar coating.

He stated that during his time, boxers were quite busy. They had a hectic schedule of matches and training, and then they used to fight frequently. So @Showbizz_the_adult elaborated that in the good old days, boxers were more active since they received more points for punching. By scoring rounds based on the number of punches landed, fights were less likely to be boring. The system encouraged boxers to fight more aggressively and throw more punches to win.

To prove his point, he gave the example of one of the greatest fights during the 1980s- the first match between the greats Alexis Arguello and Aaron Pryor. Diehard fans remember the bout to this day for the full-drawn-out battle it became. Both champions went at each other, throwing punches that might have shaken up a lesser mortal.

“You land a punch on me; I’m trying to land one back with you,” said the boxing commentator. According to him, a few naysayers might disagree. To them, the system might force the boxers into a slugfest. However, he doesn’t seem to agree with the notion. He believes that if a boxer is skilled enough to throw a good number of punches, he might well be prepared to defend himself from the incomings as well.

He said, “That’s why the whole pace was fast.” It was time to call back the second rule.

From scales to gloves: The Impact of Weigh-In Timing

So according to him, the move to conduct the weight-in on the fight day instead of the 24-hour gap as it’s done nowadays ensured that boxers stayed healthy. One often comes across instances of a boxer today exhausted by the time a match reaches the ninth round. Whereas, the boxers from the days of yore would fight till the fifteenth round!

Needless to say, the post has witnessed a stream of comments. Followers fall on either side of the argument. Though it remains unconfirmed, it appears that the same-day weigh-ins ended with the 1983 Eddie Mustafa Muhammad versus Michael Spinks. However, other reports reveal that the system continued for some more, and several other well-known fights followed it.

Unlike boxing, UFC follows the same-day weigh-in system. Strictly from a selling point of view, a weight check done before the fight helps to build up the hype. Then it gives ample time for a fighter to focus on the upcoming battle. Following the weight cutting, the gap enables them to drink fluids and eat to restore their hydration level and recover their physical condition.

But then, on the other hand, the same-day weigh-in ensures that be it at the final weigh-in or when they enter the ring, the boxer weighs the same. They do not get the advantage of any rehydration. Many observe that boxers when they come for the fight after the 24-hour gap, often stand much heavier than their opponents. Thus theoretically it becomes much stronger.

However, it is also a well-known fact: one belligerent coming out heavier than the other doesn’t always determine the outcome of boxing fights. Hence, given that no two boxers fight at the same weight during a match under the present-day system, a same-day weigh-in emerges as a potent alternative. It can help in the comparison of the fighters in a better way.

What are your views on the boxing commentator’s arguments? Do you feel they are enough to make boxing more popular, or do we need to do something?