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WBC president Jose Sulaiman believes greed has killed the honour in boxing.
Sulaiman, 76, has battled long and hard to make the sport safer than the savage version he first encountered over 60 years ago.
But the Mexican insists the days of fighters stepping into the ring for the love of the business are long gone.
He said: "Today promoters, managers and boxers only want money, money, money.
"Years ago it was for the pride, glory and the honour.
"Back then there were thousands of professional boxers, while today there are hundreds.
"The technique is better today but the heart, mental attitude and strength of the fighters was far superior then."
Reducing championship bouts from 15 to 12 rounds is just one of the changes Sulaiman has overseen during his time in charge of the WBC.
He was also the driving force behind weigh-ins taking place 24 hours before the opening bell to allow contestants to rehydrate and eat.
So the rapid growth of mixed martial arts leaves a sour taste in his mouth.
Sulaiman added: "The Roman circus was barbaric and this is barbaric. It's like two animals trying to kill each other.
"In Mexico it has not happened and I'm fighting for that not to happen.
"But with the public in the United States, I don't know. They like it very much but I criticise it. It's not human."
Sulaiman also believes it is time for boxing's various organisations to clean up their acts.
He said: "We have many things to do in the future and the WBC will continue fighting as much as possible to bring order, good rule and safety.
"We need unity at the moment as everybody is trying to kill everybody."
Sulaiman, 76, has battled long and hard to make the sport safer than the savage version he first encountered over 60 years ago.
But the Mexican insists the days of fighters stepping into the ring for the love of the business are long gone.
He said: "Today promoters, managers and boxers only want money, money, money.
"Years ago it was for the pride, glory and the honour.
"Back then there were thousands of professional boxers, while today there are hundreds.
"The technique is better today but the heart, mental attitude and strength of the fighters was far superior then."
Reducing championship bouts from 15 to 12 rounds is just one of the changes Sulaiman has overseen during his time in charge of the WBC.
He was also the driving force behind weigh-ins taking place 24 hours before the opening bell to allow contestants to rehydrate and eat.
So the rapid growth of mixed martial arts leaves a sour taste in his mouth.
Sulaiman added: "The Roman circus was barbaric and this is barbaric. It's like two animals trying to kill each other.
"In Mexico it has not happened and I'm fighting for that not to happen.
"But with the public in the United States, I don't know. They like it very much but I criticise it. It's not human."
Sulaiman also believes it is time for boxing's various organisations to clean up their acts.
He said: "We have many things to do in the future and the WBC will continue fighting as much as possible to bring order, good rule and safety.
"We need unity at the moment as everybody is trying to kill everybody."
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