Who are the current true A-side in Boxing?

[KingGilgamesh]

A+ side: meaning they can fight a broomstick & make 8 figures regardless


Saul Alvarez
Anthony Joshua

Honorable mention: Manny Pacquaio


A- side: meaning that they need a good dancer partner but will always earn the lion share base on resume, ppv sales, fanbase, etc.

Ryan Garcia
Errol Spence
Gervonta Davis
Deontay Wilder/Tyson Fury

This is mostly right and 12 months ago I would have said this was the case though I think things might be changing ever so slightly. This recent fight with Pulev generated 600k viewers (a great number when compared to a lot of the meh numbers for cards in the US) which is actually somewhat of a decline. Canelo is on DAZN obviously, but talk of his recent negotiations with PBC make me think he is concerned about exposure. I think before Canelo and Joshua were very much the bearers of boxing but I actually think the public may be getting hungry for some new blood. Tyson Fury would be in a great position to take the mantle but he lacks marketability and has a penchant for taking bum fights in between his big paydays.

I actually think Davis and Garcia are very well positioned to be future superstars. I also legit still think Wilder could sc**** big numbers in an American heavyweight PPV off of notoriety alone. Spence I think may have hurt himself slightly by not staging this needed showdown with Crawford sooner but I blame both sides for that.

[KingGilgamesh]

Would you rather be a boxer or a boxing celebrity?

Boxing and celebrity have pretty much become intertwined. TBH its not a big issue in many sports where sanctioning bodies have pretty much total control over fixtures, nor is it an issue in the UFC where the sole promotional body dictates matchups. The issue with boxing is that said celebrity ties directly into future negotiation for any kind of fight. One can call themselves the "A-side" even if they're coming off a loss to the very opponent they're fighting. Its a double edged sword because whilst I like boxers being paid their worth these days, it does create more complications that ultimately hurt the sport.

[TernceBudCharlo]

Boxing and celebrity have pretty much become intertwined. TBH its not a big issue in many sports where sanctioning bodies have pretty much total control over fixtures, nor is it an issue in the UFC where the sole promotional body dictates matchups. The issue with boxing is that said celebrity ties directly into future negotiation for any kind of fight. One can call themselves the "A-side" even if they're coming off a loss to the very opponent they're fighting. Its a double edged sword because whilst I like boxers being paid their worth these days, it does create more complications that ultimately hurt the sport.

This is true but the problem with being the A side means not just the bigger draw, but using that status to put your opponent at an unfair advantage, force him to agree to all sorts of unfair stipulations, and basically give yourself as much of an unfair advantage is possible. This isn't right.

Maybe the solution lies in creating one promotional body. Or like a league to force mandatories. One thing for sure is we need to get rid of all the extra weight classes and belts. Too many people can call themselves a champion and then use it as an excuse to avoid the real fights.

Can you think of any other sport where the best don't go up against the best?

[sicko]

A+ and A- side list is very accurate

I would add Inoue to A- because he is a big deal in Japan and would be the A Side over Casamiro, Ouabaali and the rest of his Division

[Queen_Leia]

Why do people care about this? The A side B side stuff is bull****, the best need to fight the best. I DONT CARE WHO IS A SIDE. In no other legitimate sport is this ok,

You don't get punched in the head for a living so you are unaware that Boxing is also a BUSINESS

Find another thread that easy going and tickles your fancy!

[TernceBudCharlo]

You don't get punched in the head for a living so you are unaware that Boxing is also a BUSINESS

Find another thread that easy going and tickles your fancy!

Boxing is a business but football is not?

[Queen_Leia]

Boxing is a business but football is not?

What does Football have to do with Boxing? Two different types of sports.

[KingGilgamesh]

You don't get punched in the head for a living so you are unaware that Boxing is also a BUSINESS

Find another thread that easy going and tickles your fancy!

The NFL and NBA, EPL and UFC are also businesses. At least three of them consistently generate higher turnover year on year whilst the players earn more than 99% of boxers. Boxing would benefit greatly from both centralisation and unionisation to prevent abuse/exploitation. I fear that if UFC fighters get their fingers out of their asses and get serious about unionisation, it will likely kill boxing for good. Boxing has been able to retain some pedigree because of UFC/Zuffa's obsession with undermining their talent pools, but if UFC/MMA fighters can command boxing paydays whilst maintaining competitive integrity then it will even further damage boxing US presence.

[TernceBudCharlo]

What does Football have to do with Boxing? Two different types of sports.

My thing is that the best need to fight the best. That used to happen more often in boxing. This A side/B side **** is killing the sport and ruining its legitimacy. Football is a business too, but in the NFL playoffs, you don't get to fight a team coming off of a loss.

People need to hold everyone accountable. Your favorite fighter and promoter is guilty. So is mine. So are we as fans for abandoning fighters when they lose every time they step it up. We all have to do better.

[TernceBudCharlo]

The NFL and NBA, EPL and UFC are also businesses. At least three of them consistently generate higher turnover year on year whilst the players earn more than 99% of boxers. Boxing would benefit greatly from both centralisation and unionisation to prevent abuse/exploitation. I fear that if UFC fighters get their fingers out of their asses and get serious about unionisation, it will likely kill boxing for good. Boxing has been able to retain some pedigree because of UFC/Zuffa's obsession with undermining their talent pools, but if UFC/MMA fighters can command boxing paydays whilst maintaining competitive integrity then it will even further damage boxing US presence.

UFC works because there is 1 belt, 1 ranking system, and few weight classes. If you are the champ, you have to fight the next best guy. And if you beat him, you fight the next best guy in the next fight. None of this tune up or stay busy bull****. No A side, no B side. And if you don't take the fight, you get stripped.