Looking to FIFA as a Role Model

[PRboxingfan]

What, you might ask, does FIFA have to do with boxing? Well, it would be the inspiration for an International Boxing Commission (IBC) to supervise all aspects of the sport. Many people talk about boxing and how it needs a National Boxing Commission to standardize the many governing bodies and the many state athletic commissions’ rules. The problem is, boxing is practiced all over the world. What good would it do to have a national commission where international fighters were left out? That’s where FIFA comes in.

If an IBC were to be implemented, boxers would have to join their local chapter (there could be one per country) and pay dues (to be fair, these should be a percentage of your winnings).

Here are some of the benefits of an IBC:

1. Medical and Pension Benefits: as it stands right now, boxers must pay for their own medical expenses and there is no pension fund. Dues would be used to pay for the welfare and retirement of professional fighters all over the world.

2. Fair World Rankings: the IBC would rank fighters based on merit, activity level, strength of opponents (i.e. their ranks), etc. There would be one list, rather than the slew of lists now available from all the alphabet organizations. Speaking of alphabet organizations, there would also be…

3. One Champion per Division: there is no need for multiple belts that do nothing but confuse the public. Boxing needs one true, recognized champion per division. Also, there should be a requirement to defend a championship a minimum of twice a year (no exceptions, even for injuries), against the highest available challenger. Any additional fights would be optional defenses. Any fighter who loses his belt due to inactivity (for whatever reason) would be allowed to fight for his championship upon return.

4. Better Matchmaking: some of the best fights out there aren’t being made because promoters don’t get along, fighters not wanting to fight another promoter’s fighter, or fighters that just don’t like each other. In the IBC, you fight the person you are matched up against or you lose your ranking.

5. Fair money distribution: all earnings would be fairly distributed by percentage. Every party involved in the process would receive a percentage, based on their jobs. As an example, the distribution table could go something like this (for each party involved):
* Boxer: 55%
* Promoter: 25%
* Boxer’s staff (trainer, manager, etc): 15%
* IBC: 5%

Obviously, this is a very high-level view of the benefits of an IBC. I’m sure there are many other benefits, as well as some cons, especially for the promoters. In the end, I think this would be in the best interest of the fighters. Commissions work in other sports, why not boxing?

[Mozza]

Nice idea and you've obviously put a bit of thought into it but sadly FIFA is as corrupt a sporting body as you will find so is probably not the best model to follow but you're idea is good nevertheless. It also made me think of something I've never thought of before; is there a trade union for boxers?

[kayjay]

Good idea. Like Mozza said, I'm not sure FIFA is the model. but the issues you mention are the relevant ones.

Footie is however the world sport and all sports should be modeling themselves after it to some extent.

[-Swizzy-]

What, you might ask, does FIFA have to do with boxing? Well, it would be the inspiration for an International Boxing Commission (IBC) to supervise all aspects of the sport. Many people talk about boxing and how it needs a National Boxing Commission to standardize the many governing bodies and the many state athletic commissions’ rules. The problem is, boxing is practiced all over the world. What good would it do to have a national commission where international fighters were left out? That’s where FIFA comes in.

If an IBC were to be implemented, boxers would have to join their local chapter (there could be one per country) and pay dues (to be fair, these should be a percentage of your winnings).

Here are some of the benefits of an IBC:

1. Medical and Pension Benefits: as it stands right now, boxers must pay for their own medical expenses and there is no pension fund. Dues would be used to pay for the welfare and retirement of professional fighters all over the world.

2. Fair World Rankings: the IBC would rank fighters based on merit, activity level, strength of opponents (i.e. their ranks), etc. There would be one list, rather than the slew of lists now available from all the alphabet organizations. Speaking of alphabet organizations, there would also be…

3. One Champion per Division: there is no need for multiple belts that do nothing but confuse the public. Boxing needs one true, recognized champion per division. Also, there should be a requirement to defend a championship a minimum of twice a year (no exceptions, even for injuries), against the highest available challenger. Any additional fights would be optional defenses. Any fighter who loses his belt due to inactivity (for whatever reason) would be allowed to fight for his championship upon return.

4. Better Matchmaking: some of the best fights out there aren’t being made because promoters don’t get along, fighters not wanting to fight another promoter’s fighter, or fighters that just don’t like each other. In the IBC, you fight the person you are matched up against or you lose your ranking.

5. Fair money distribution: all earnings would be fairly distributed by percentage. Every party involved in the process would receive a percentage, based on their jobs. As an example, the distribution table could go something like this (for each party involved):
* Boxer: 55%
* Promoter: 25%
* Boxer’s staff (trainer, manager, etc): 15%
* IBC: 5%

Obviously, this is a very high-level view of the benefits of an IBC. I’m sure there are many other benefits, as well as some cons, especially for the promoters. In the end, I think this would be in the best interest of the fighters. Commissions work in other sports, why not boxing?

I totally agree. the number of different organizations is the biggest problem in boxing.

[PRboxingfan]

Nice idea and you've obviously put a bit of thought into it but sadly FIFA is as corrupt a sporting body as you will find so is probably not the best model to follow but you're idea is good nevertheless. It also made me think of something I've never thought of before; is there a trade union for boxers?

No, there is no union. That is also something that could be done under an organized commission but not under the loose promoter-based sport that we have now.

The problem would be the migration from our current system to a new one. All contracts would have to be fulfilled before boxers could fall under a commission. That would create a transition period of a few years in which the kinks could be worked out.

[MrZeus]

I tthink the main problem with boxing comes from the fact it is very easy to put on a world title fight compared to the equivalent in other sports (world cups...etc).

So it doesn't take too much effort for two fighters, who've had enough of the federation or want to make more money, to simply break away and put on their own fight. And lets face it, if the fight is big enough the fans are gonna pay to see it regardless of who's sanctioning it.