Will boxing thrive or flounder when it returns?

[Quicksilver*]

You would hope the delay forces people to put aside bull**** and just make the fights.

[GhostofDempsey]

My guess is it will either be business as usual or it will take a few good fights to regain the interest of the casual fan-base again. I don't think any real harm will be done. It's not like we get great fights every month. The few months that boxing and all other sports have to sit it out, isn't going to do too much harm. I do think it can be more of a detriment to older fighters who are on the tail end of their prime or past their prime. The longer they are inactive and have to wait around for a big fight, the more they lose. I was hoping for a Pac/Mikey fight this year, probably won't happen and I have to wonder if Pac will get a big fight before the year is up.

GGG is fighting a mandatory before a Canelo rematch. If that rematch has to wait until next year he'll be 39 and fading. The fight is past it's expiration date. He should have just taken the rematch this September, he won't be a better version of himself a year from now.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

I think there is a real opportunity here for the sport, IF (and its a big IF) promoters and networks are willing to play it safe and play it smart.

Boxing has a few advantages. And is likely to be up and running before the larger team sports are able to. Boxing has a relatively small set-up -- less camera crews, less support staff. And bouts can be held basically anywhere - the sport isn't tied down to certain stadiums, states, or even countries. Heck, they could even splice together a fight night with fights from different locations.

WWE caught A LOT of flack for running their show because they tried to act as if there wasn't a major global pandemic - they didn't want to acknowledge it, and that's a bad look. Dana White is in a similar situation - talks about "fight island" sound more like a personal ego-trip than a heroic "sport-as-socially-unifying event".

But if boxing can get itself some likeable fighters, a safe location, and then market it in a way that isn't offensive to people - I see a real opportunity for major network coverage that could reach a wide audience.

But then again, it's boxing - so who knows!

They have a lot of drawbacks too though. Boxing heavily relies on emergency services. I’m unsure the medical services will be able to guarantee them ambulances, doctors, medical staff etc.

[Dean_Razorback]

i think many fighters will use this coronavirus isolation as a excuse to take easy fights due to the obvious inactivity.

[a.rihn]

They have a lot of drawbacks too though. Boxing heavily relies on emergency services. I’m unsure the medical services will be able to guarantee them ambulances, doctors, medical staff etc.

Very true!

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

i think many fighters will use this coronavirus isolation as a excuse to take easy fights due to the obvious inactivity.

Unfortunately so do I. Everyone is going to “need” a tune up.

[lefthook2daliva]

Everybod is gonna take a pay cut and much of the current talent will act like spoiled *****es. Could be a big opportunity for up and comers. Promoters and fighters both.