By Dave Sholler

People are often surprised to read that I am only 24 years old. When I receive emails from BoxingScene readers asking if I remember fights from the 1960s and 1970s, I politely remind them that I only recall those bouts thanks to ESPN Classic. I don’t claim to be a know-it-all like Dan Rafael or Tom Hauser. I don’t have libraries full of old fights, nor can I recall every single champion in every stinkin’ division. I don’t link up with promoters looking for freebies or stalk fighters looking to become a member of some “clique.” Quite honestly, freebies and cliques don’t interest me. After all, you the readers don’t care if Promoter X flew me to some cushy media luncheon. You don’t care if I’m up some champion’s rear end either.

Unlike some other folks entrenched in this sport, I keep it real. Really real. If I don’t care for a fighter like, say, Oscar De La Hoya, I rarely mince my words. He’s a prima donna. He’s a baby. He’s forgotten where he’s come from. He’s failed in most of his big fights. That’s how I feel about “The Golden Boy.”

On the other hand, if I like a fighter, I’ll let you know. All punching power and ring terror aside, I think Kelly Pavlik is one of boxing’s kindest, most gentle creatures. He’s a champion. He’s down-to-earth. He’s resilient. He remembers where he came from. That’s how I feel about “The Ghost.”

All too often, we in the journalism trade forget to keep it real. We care too much if we’ll hurt the feelings of fighters and promoters. We wonder if one scandalous article will keep us from the pre-fight buffet line and question whether a literary barb will prevent us from landing the next big scoop.

But every once in a while, we in the media need to show some balls. We need to call out fighters for poor performances or for being fed easy victories. Likewise, we need to blast promoters for feasting on short-term investments and failing to think about the long-term success of the sport. And yes, we need to call out the fans every once in a while too.

Today, I am doing the latter. In particular, I am taking time this week to call out the young fans of America. Like boxing’s version of Stephen A. Smith, I am emphatically imploring the youth to carry on the great tradition of the sweet science. I am asking the BlackBerry-pounding, Xbox 360-playing, Ed Hardy-wearing, Red Bull-sipping children of the future to embrace something that is not marketed or advertised to them. I am pleading to my fellow young people that they do something that promoters and executives in the sport are failing to do: create a boxing buzz among all those under the age of 25.

For a variety of reasons, boxing is being phased out by many in the coveted 18-34 age demographic. Some have shifted to viewing mixed martial arts. Others have been enthralled by fantasy sports, and more importantly, its connection to the billion dollar National Football League operation. According to many in this age bracket, boxing does not offer the same access to its personalities as the NFL or even MTV does. They argue that there are few boxing all-access shows. They contend that the boxing product is wrapped in dull packaging and can rarely compete with the glossy, high-energy luring efforts of major professional sports or entertainment organizations.

With that said, how in the world can I ask young people to get warm and fuzzy about a sport that hasn’t reached out to them? How can I counter all of the claims that boxing markets poorly and doesn’t care to attract new fans? How, just how, can I ask young fans to give boxing the time of day?

It’s quite simple actually. I’ll ask the Scion-driving, Affliction-wearing, Vitamin Water-guzzling youngsters to give the sport a chance. I’ll ask them to give their texting fingers a damn break. I’ll ask them to pull the iPod earphones out. Turn off “Making the Band 4.” Instead of drowning themselves in today’s overabundant forms of technology and media, I ask that they expand their horizons by taking a peek at one of the world’s oldest athletic competitions. I implore the young sports and entertainment-minded folks to take in all of the emotions, sights, sounds, and feats accomplished inside and outside of the squared circle. I know that most will be hooked. How can they not? After all, this isn’t some unrealistic MTV show. Boxing is about as “True Life” as it gets.

Speaking of true life, I will always agree that the sport’s executives could market the product better. However, boxing does really sell itself. Young people want drama? Check out a fighter battling through a nasty cut or broken hand, hoping, praying that the doctor gives him another round. They want action? Let Israel Vazquez become the new action hero. Watch just one of his fights and you’ll be sold. They want compassion? Watch Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito pummel each other for 11 rounds and then share a thank-you hug at the end of the night.

Young people could learn a lot by watching the sport, too. It could become a sort of “this is how the real world works” motivational/informative DVD set. They could learn that when your back is against the ropes, you have to fight to get out. They could learn that Mommy and Daddy can’t bail you out forever.

Too often in society, youngsters hide in the face of adversity. Less and less people my age want to fight for success. Most want it handed to them. If the going gets tough, many duck for cover. Few fire back and look to barrel through obstacles. Luckily, guys like Kelly Pavlik and Juan Diaz (both in their twenties) exist in the sport of boxing to prove otherwise. Even though we can’t encourage young people to engage in street fights or unnecessary violence, wouldn’t it be nice to show them what heart and determination truly mean?

I may only be 24, but I can tell you that boxing has and will forever be a sport that I support. Honestly, it has just taught me so much. I love my iPod, my Affliction shirts, and Kim Kardashian, but none of these have taught me how to become more of a warrior. None have demonstrated how far hard work, grit, and desire can take you. Similarly, I have gained a much greater sense of entertainment, education, and ecstasy following the sweet science than I ever would if I chose to catch The Hills or Brooke Knows Best.

Young sports fans of this nation take heed. Boxing may not jump right out and grab you, but it’s worth giving a shot. It may never appear on the cover of GQ or grace the pixels of network television. But believe me when I say that in boxing, the events and images that are about to appear may serve as the ultimate reality check.

Boxing is real. No make-up. No airbrushing. The sport of professional fisticuffs is athleticism meets courage meets art. In the end, it’s much realer than any fantasy league, much more palatable than some brain cell-killing reality series following a group of spoiled rich kids.

Boxing is really real. It’s time the young people like me take notice.

STIFF JABS: We hear that Team Winky is pushing for a shot at welterweight champion Paul Williams. The catch is that the bout would be contested outside the 147-pound limit. Sources confirmed that this comes in the wake of Winky turning down $750,000 to fight Kelly Pavlik in October. Anyone else fed up with Oscar? He’s more annoying than the cost of gas and the housing market. Make the darn fight with Manny Pacquiao already. Say what you want about NFLPA boss Gene Upshaw, but he did a lot to improve the lives of former and current NFL players. He may not have always been a gem to deal with, but he fought hard to ensure that players got their keep. Boxing could use someone like Upshaw, who passed away Wednesday night, to fight for the sport’s athletes.

Dave Sholler is a featured boxing and MMA analyst for radio stations across the country. He can be reached at shollerholla4@hotmail.com .