Boxing In The New Era By Nate Campbell (May 8, 2008) Send this page to friend Give us your feedback One of the issues that plagues boxing today is the very fact that so many fighters are built up on a steady helping of washed-up opponents, journeymen, and very few real, serious fighters. There was once a time when fighters were fighters. They fought the very best fighters out there, and as often as possible for minimum pay. Now I don't think that fighters should fight for minimum pay when there is so much revenue out there, but I feel that the fighters that are rewarded with network dates and big paydays and mondo recognition should at least have earned it. Many fighters are given things because of PR angles, the hype machine, and just plain old fashioned overrating. The crazy thing about the sport of boxing is - for as much as it is hurting and being hurt - one thing can save it. Go back to doing it the old fashioned way. The best fought the best. Not all the time but most of the time. I often find it sickening to see some of the matchups that are forced down our throats as fans. It is always hardest for me to watch fights where one guy is supposed to be the best and the other guy is a no-hoper. This type of matchmaking is killing boxing. People/fans are not dumb. Contrary to popular belief, we know a good fight when we hear about it - but there are those who just outright don't care. If you say you want to see the best fight the best, boycott anything else that doesn't suit your fancy. Fighters today aren't cut from the same cloth. I find it quite exhilarating when someone says Nate Campbell is old school. I take old school as a compliment. I remember a time when fighters captivated our imagination. Guys like “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, Muhammad Ali, Ray Leonard, Aaron Pryor, and so many others who gave us a piece of themselves and instilled themselves in our memories. Now it’s just about how much revenue you can make off pay-per-view, which is more important than giving the best performance you can. The truth of the matter is a lot of guys won't fight as hard as they possibly can because they think you could have paid them more. Instead of fighting as hard as they can, they are demanding more the next time. There are very few box office giants in boxing. The reason is that the sport is so much more political these days. There are many, many, many fighters that will set the world on fire if given the chance but they will never get the chance because they might not be affiliated with the right promoter. But at the end of the day, boxing is the one that is being hurt and the fans are ultimately paying the price. I love boxing. It is a part of who I am. It is ingrained in my DNA. Every day of my life I find something new to make me love it more. But being a part of it, as a fighter, the political side makes me hate it each day as well. This is my opinion and thank you for allowing me to share it. Now you do the same Nate Campbell IBF/WBA SUPER/WBO WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION E-Mail Nate at : nate3772dog@aol.com Discuss this Topic - Go to the forums Boxing News Wire: News Links