This is the Amateurs, But It Sure Isn't Boxing By Steve Kim (Aug 18, 2008) Send this page to friend Give us your feedback It wasn't long ago that I mentioned in one of my 'Final Flurries' that I wasn't going to be watching much - if any - of the Olympic boxing that was taking place in Beijing, China. Well, I decided that since I am a boxing writer (of course, some would dispute that) that I would watch as much of the coverage on CNBC that I could and I would at least track the progress of our American boxers.   In recent Olympics, boxing has been relegated to one of NBC's offshoot news networks, CNBC. There was a time when boxing was one of the prime-time events, garnering great coverage. And the influential Howard Cosell of ABC Sports seemingly had the power to bequeath stardom on anyone he saw fit. But somewhere along the way, NBC decided that boxing was no longer worthy of extensive prime-time coverage. Perhaps it was the scandal-ridden Games of '88 in Seoul, Korea with Roy Jones, or maybe they figured out that more housewives watch the Olympics than your diehard sports fan and program it thusly. But no longer is boxing one of the glamour events of the Olympiad. Nowadays it's just a notch or two above badminton and skeet shooting.   But in looking at what the AIBA has turned amateur boxing into, I can't blame NBC for stuffing this once historic tournament - which hatched the careers of Cassius Clay, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya - into its backroom closet. In short, what AIBA has done with its computerized scoring system has turned this into a blend of fencing, a game of tag and 'keep away' (and no, this not a commentary on a few close decisions that the U.S. has come out on the short end of the stick. The Americans, for the most part, are every bit as agonizing to sit through as their international counterparts. Besides, it's really the Russians that seem to be getting the shaft in these Games). Last Sunday afternoon, as I was talking to Steve Farhood, noted writer and color commentator for ShoBox, he told me that for some reason he was getting infomercials on CNBC instead of the boxing coverage. I told him he had lucked out.   Because it's so dreadful and boring, the 2012 boxing should be televised on CSPAN.   Yeah, I know, amateur boxing is not about necessarily hurting your opponents, but scoring points. And boxing is 'the art of self-defense', but what's going on in China goes far beyond the realm of what even amateur boxing was supposed to be - or once was. On the past two editions of Friday Night Fights on ESPN2, two gold medalists of the past - Mark Breland and Howard Davis Jr. - came in-studio to discuss their Olympic experiences. What was striking in looking at the clips of their outings was just how entertaining they were and how the bouts were actually, well, exciting and fun. It wasn't just about landing a few shots in the beginning to capture an early lead and then going into the four corners offense and then clinching at all costs to run out the clock and advance.   Even Derrick Gainer must be watching this abomination and be saying, "That ain't boxing!!! That ain't boxing!!!"   Too much is made of how flawed the computerized scoring is. Granted, it's not the best way to do it - and remember, it's still human beings at the console - but its real crime is that it has created a certain philosophy and code where certain countries have mastered the art of boxing, not against your opponent, but on how to win fights within this system. We've all learned as boxing fans to live with bad decisions (which take place often with humans rendering the scores in a ten-point must system), but what's hard to live with is the ugly, unwatchable exhibitions of slap fighting we're seeing today.   The host Chinese seem to be the biggest culprit of this, and it seems that they have more than once been the recipients of home-cooking. I saw one match that was more Greco-Roman wrestling than Marquis of Queensberry between a Chinese fighter and a Russian, where the highly rated Russian fighter was outpointed. I saw another match involving a Chinese fighter where he turned his back twice in the final rounds to avoid incoming fire, as he was protecting a lead, with no penalty being assessed. There seems to be an edict that as many of the Chinese boxers as possible must advance, lest they offend the hosts. But having to sit through their fights is awfully close to a human rights violation. It's sheer torture. I think in the future, captives at Guantanamo Bay will not be waterboarded, but will be subjected to having to watch these matches over and over again. Smog isn't the only pollution in China it seems.   But the biggest crime is that boxers who actually come to fight are punished for it. One clear example I saw was light heavyweight Bastie Samir of Ghana, who faced some forgettable Brazilian boxer. As he pounded away at the body viciously, his score total never budged. He would have the Brazilian doubled-over in pain more than once, but with nothing to show for it on his tally. Then he was saddled with an over-bearing ref (you can call these guys (in their all-white uniforms) 'The No Humor Men') who for some reason kept interrupting the flow of action on the inside, which hurt Samir, who was dependent on being close and landing his quick, hard combinations on his opponent. You can just see Samir following in the footsteps of his countrymen like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, David Kotey and Joshua Clottey in the professional ranks. As for his amateur days, well, those are over. He made the mistake of actually trying to make a real fight. He can now go on as a professional and put this unfortunate experience behind him.   Which brings me to another point - there used to be a time when Olympic gold (especially for American boxers) meant cashing in as a professional. But with boxing no longer having the stature it once did, decision-makers within the business are now wondering if it's worth signing Olympians to these exorbitant contracts. The days of ABC running a primetime card with Olympians making their pro debuts is long gone. Many of the familiar faces you'd see at past Games looking to sign every fighter they could stayed home this time around. And there's a growing suspicion that the better you do at this tourney means that all you're really good at is stinkin' out the joint. Signing a fighter with hundreds of amateur bouts and a gold medal really means you have that much longer to de-program him into a style he may never adapt to. Think 'Yawn' Barthelemy.   It used to be that if you had extensive international experience that you were a seasoned fighter who was well-versed in facing many diverse styles. Now, it might mean that you are a guy who dances around the ring, throws one punch at a time and has no clue how to fight on the inside. No thanks, give me that guy who was hurt by his pro style in the Olympic Trials and hasn't mastered the art of stealing fights yet. From a managerial standpoint, that guy will cost you a lot less and you might get much further along in the professional ranks.   No, I'm not saying that boxers should turn pro at age 15, a la Antonio Margarito, as the amateur ranks are still a vital breeding ground for boxers to learn their craft. It will always be essential to have amateur experience. But to put off pro careers for several years to wait around for Olympic glory? There's a great debate among managers and promoters if it's even worth it anymore.   The most entertaining aspect of the CNBC coverage is the growing frustration and exasperation of Teddy Atlas and Bob Papa, who have not been shy in voicing their displeasure at several aspects of what they've witnessed ringside. You get the sense that if they weren't being paid by the network that Atlas would hop on the first flight back to the States to get back to his duties alongside Joe Tessitore and start calling real fights again, and Papa would hurry back to his gig calling the action for the world champion New York Giants. Yeah, even exhibition football is more appealing than this monstrosity.   Somewhere, Cosell is rolling over in his grave.   SOLUTIONS   What would I do if I were in charge of the AIBA to alleviate this mess?   - Go back to the old way of scoring bouts. Contrary to what many people think, the human element is not eliminated with the computerized scoring system. If a judge has it out for a fighter, all he has to do is not push his button during a match. What was needed was not a new system, but a better quality of judges and greater oversight of their performances.   - Ditch the headgear. Yeah, I know cuts can be a problem, but just how many times in the past did this actually occur? Also, with the way these guys currently punch - off their back foot, with no real commitment and jerking their heads back - it may not be a problem.   - Thicker padding below the canvas. How do you slow these guys down who hop around the ring like jackrabbits? Easy, lay down a surface that will make it that much more difficult for them to run around all night like Usain Bolt. They might be able to scamper around the ring for a round or two, but eventually, they'll have to sit in the pocket and exhibit true boxing skills.   - Smaller ring sizes. This goes in line with my previous suggestion. Hey, this is boxing, not track and field.   DC DECISION   I have to give referee Malik Waleed credit. Yes, he missed the clash of heads that caused the cut above Anthony Thompson's left eye that caused him to lose via TKO versus Ishmail Arvin. But at least he was willing to clearly admit his mistake and reverse his ruling once he saw the replays on ESPN2 that clearly showed where and when the cut was caused. But his recommendations were overruled and Arvin, who had lost just about every round in the fight and was floored twice in the third, was ruled the winner at the Ibiza Nightclub in Washington D.C.   But I just wonder, if Thompson was from the local area and not Arvin, would the commission have been so rigid in their ruling? Also, while Thompson's eye was cut and swollen, did it really affect his overall performance at the time and jeopardize his permanent health?   To see Arvin be declared the 'winner' of this bout seems like the worst decision to come out of DC since they re-elected Marion Berry.   As for Thompson, while this was a huge miscarriage of justice, perhaps he should've slammed the door shut on Arvin when he had the chance to, instead of letting him hang around. After all, you never know what might happen. And this was a perfect example of that.   Unfortunately, it's been the story of Thompson's professional career.   FINAL FLURRIES   In addition to Samir, I like the middleweight from Ireland, Darren John Sutherland, and Mexican featherweight Arturo Santos....Is it pretty much official that this is the worst U.S. Boxing team ever? They should be called 'Team Dysfunction'....Promising middleweight Ronny Vargas was murdered over the weekend in the Bronx. I saw him this past April on the card that featured Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto in Atlantic City and he looked to have a bright future under the direction of manager Pat Lynch. Now those dreams are gone and a family is shattered due to more senseless violence. Our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones....So Shawn Kemp was signed to play in Italy?  What, they weren't interested in Jack Sikma or Freddie Brown?.....That Usain Bolt is kinda fast, isn't he?.....Would a good moniker for Michael Phelps be 'Aquaman' or 'Ft. Knox'.....Finally, RIP to John Brown, Montebello High School class of 1989..... For Questions or Comments E-Mail Steve: k9kim@maxboxing.com Today's Boxing Press Discuss this Topic - Go to the forums