New Mexico Daily Lobo
URL: http://www.dailylobo.com/index.php/article/2010/07/consumerism_corrupts_boxing
Current Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:34:55 -0700
Article Tools
Use the form below to share this article via email.
Possibly Related:
Consumerism corrupts boxing
There’s no defending the conspired commercial ploy, a down-and-dirty business deal crafted among promoters, boxers and television enablers.
Gone are the golden days when boxing, much like art, was viewed for its aesthetic value, for its controlled violence and the bonding emotional effect it had on its viewers.
In the Gilded Age, we must bear witness to the corrosive effects of capitalism, a pollutant that puts a price tag on the innate entertainment value of all sporting events, but especially boxing.
By now you’ve heard that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. missed the deadline set by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to agree to fight Manny Pacquiao. If just for a moment, let us all acknowledge the obvious: Mayweather-Pacquiao is commodity fetishism passed off as necessity.
In search of this generation of sports’ national treasure, we reflect nostalgically on Thrilla in Manila — the finale to a trilogy featuring the sharp-tongued Muslim poet Muhammad Ali and an at-the-twilight-of-his-career Joe Frazier, spilling pure emotion out onto a bare-naked canvas — hoping and grasping desperately at every present-day fight said to be legendary.
Supposedly, Mayweather-Pacquiao is boxing’s lifeblood, the defibrillator to shock interest back into a breathless fan base and an on-its-deathbed sport. In truth, Mayweather and Pacquiao are nothing more than cash cows, milking the American system, a system that allows second-at-best main events to be sold at first-rate prices.
Adding to the mystery behind Mayweather’s decision not to respond by the deadline is the fact that Pacquiao’s camp had apparently worked out agreements about blood testing and tabled the lawsuit filed against Mayweather and his ilk for subtle assertions that Pacquiao was somehow linked to performance-enhancing drugs — qualms that tanked the two’s last fight negotiations.
Of course, Mayweather’s detractors will say that the 33-year-old is trying to bob and weave his way out of fighting Pacquiao. If that were the case, Mayweather’s camp would have never approached Pacquiao’s handlers about the two ever stepping foot in the ring.
When the curtain is pulled back, it’s apparent this isn’t about Floyd’s uncle Roger Mayweather’s impending legal issues weighing on the younger Mayweather’s conscience; nor should it be argued that Mayweather is concerned about tarnishing his legacy, though such a mega-fight would undoubtedly varnish it.
This comes down to simple economics.
There’s a reason his nickname is “Money.” Always aware of his own self-worth, Mayweather knows pulling out is an effective method of — you guessed it — increasing consumerism. Through it all, Mayweather has drastically driven up the fight’s demand while shortchanging viewers on the supply.
As an intended consequence of stalled negotiations, the toil and trouble of acquiring the bout has supercharged the luxury tax people will dole out if (and when) the match becomes a reality. For that reason, we are all spectators to a nationwide auction, in which the fight goes to the highest pay-per-view bidders.
More troubling, the boxing narrative enables such a holdout.
There exists this deep-rooted mystification about the current nature of the sport. It’s the bane of boxing, the concept that it has to be on its last breath to sustain its vitality, a belief system that enhances and hampers the sport’s credibility and continued success.
Out of these hysterical delusions that boxing is fading to oblivion, we’ve emboldened Mayweather and Pacquiao to believe they are the sport’s resurrectionists.
And so, much like politicos, Mayweather and Pacquiao are divorced from the interests of the people. Because the sport is plagued by politics, by the time all the hand-wringing, negotiations and concessions are squared away, we are often forced to watch geriatric boxers going toe-to-toe.
But, in the same breath, the false consciousness that is fed to the public by those that shape the boxing narrative stokes the hype hearth, convincing the clueless that Mayweather-Pacquiao is somehow on the same level as Ali-Frazier III.
The fact that Mayweather has already generated $292 million in revenue in six pay-per-view fights for broadcaster HBO, according to CNN, is a testament to the flourishing boxing industry. That Mayweather and Pacquiao’s posse believe the two are deliverers feeding an attention-starved sport is as unfortunate as it is misguided.
Mayweather and Pacquiao are the poor man’s version of Ali and Frazier. It’s just a shame nobody recognizes the sham, and when the fight finally happens, the two will be even richer than they already are.
- Uncle Sam wants you, Lobo readers 6 comments
- Western intervention is warranted this time 7 comments
- Pastors should live on their spiritual rewards 8 comments
- Think outside the race box, Arizona 27 comments
- Western foreign policy responsible for bombs 18 comments
- Ed on Board postpones student fee deliberations
Angelica Gallegos is very pretty, seriously. - Ed on Uncle Sam wants you, Lobo readers
If you people really think that the republicans ... - Mark on Mexico not most unsafe place to study abroad
@Jamal: What are you asking? - Jamal Howard on Mexico not most unsafe place to study abroad
So when do you leave Mark? - Anne on Dr. Peg’s Prescription
This is a great article. Thank you, Dr. Spenser, ...
- Art helps homeless man cope, make extra money 13 hours ago
- Daily Lobo asks you: What’s your ideal marriage proposal? 13 hours ago
- Board postpones student fee deliberations 13 hours ago
- State budget, new funding formula pass House 13 hours ago
- Dr. Peg’s Prescription 13 hours ago
Upcoming Events
6:00 pm | Sweetheart Dinner
8:00 pm | Oedipus the King by Sophocles, Adapted by Dr. John Hardy
8:00 pm | Changeling the Lost
3:30 pm | Philosophy Colloquia
5:00 pm | New Exhibitions Open at UNM Art Museum
7:00 pm | Werewolf The Forsaken
3:30 pm | Miss Representation Screening
The Independent Voice of University of New Mexico since 1895
The Daily Lobo is published by the students of the University of New Mexico. Please visit our About Us page for contact information.
©2012 New Mexico Daily Lobo
14 comments
kfineyouw1n
Flag this comment
I think you have it all wrong. Maybe, just maybe, Mayweather is a promotional genius and wants to “hype” up the bout for next year when or if it acually does happen, which in all honesty, seems really doubtful in my opinion. Mayweather is his own boss, as he self-proclaims. But maybe, just maybe, he’s really not wanting to fight Manny Pacquiao. Actions speak louder than words. Logic would tell us that he’s afraid. The fight was already squased earlier this year. That in itself would already have generated huge interest already in a fight later on in the year. The public has spoken. This fight was called upon the fans the past two years. This fight is overdue.
kasimiro bukatot
Flag this comment
..if you are willing, there is a way…
if you are not, there are always excuses… Boxing is both business and fighting skills. Mayweather has the business savvy but do not have the courage to negate the fighting skills of Pacquiao. This is boxing and not a talk show, what Floyd need to do is go up the ring and fight! Plain and simple… Unless Floyd is scared to death to get knocked out by Pacquaio!!! I will simply do the same if I were Floyd – I, too, has that survival instinct.
WTF
Flag this comment
SH!T STOP DEVISING EXCUSES FOR FLOYD DAMN!T
FLOYD IS DUCK!NG PACMAN PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
Tom Leykis Fan
Flag this comment
Nobody cares. It’s boxing.
Flipper
Flag this comment
Excuses, excuses, excuses. The public want this fight to happen. One guy (Pacquiao) has stated his desire to fight, and has relented and agreed to some of PBF’s asinine demands.
All of a sudden, nothing from Floyd’s camp, with this “I want to rest” crap, as the only thing he uttered on the subject.
Read more …
The dude’s scared to tangle with a smaller man. I hope HBO wakes up and NOT show anymore of his fights. Wittout HBO, Floyd will be back to a run of the mill fighter, not able to support his lavish lifestyle.
Pacquio’s got other interests, like serving his folks thru politics, and has enough cachet to keep making a living fighting the Margaritos, Cottos and JMM’s of the world.
HBO needs to call out Mayweather, and all this nonsense will end.
POGIAKO
Flag this comment
FLOYD WANT TO FIGHT PACQUIAO IN 154LBS SO THAT HE HAS ADVANTAGE TO WIN. FLOYD KNOW HIS BIGGER THAN PACQUIAO. PACQUIAO WILL BE SLOW AND LESS POWER PUNCH IN 154LBS. WHAT A COWARD FLOYD DONT WANT A FAIR FIGHT.
Blasphemy
Flag this comment
Floyd says: How much do i duck thee
Let me count the ways:
Read more …
1. There were some clamor for Pacquiao and Mayweather to meet but Floyd was forced into retirement until he ran short of cash and had to come out of the duck retirement, but then…
2. Did not wait even half a day for the result Packquiao-Hatton fight. He knows Pacquiao is going to maul hatton. So he chose a washed up fighter in Marquez.
3. Pacquiao beat up Cotto. This put even more fear in Floyd’s. The Mayweather’s came up with the PED accusation and the negotiations fell through.
4. After Clottey, Floyd again chose another older and past-his-prime Mosley. Floyd running away and avoiding Pacquiao like the plague.
5. Another negotiation in the works for Pacquiao-Floyd for November 2010 fell through. Floyd running away and avoiding Pacquiao like the plague, again!
I’d rather watch MMA. Floyd’s killing this sport. There should be a boxing commisioner to regulate the sport. Who says boxing is a dying sport? A lot of people, including me, are starting to gravitate towards MMA which is more exciting and where the best fighters are not shying away from each other.
No to Floyd's deceit
Flag this comment
We don’t want Floyd’s deception. He is the ultimate ducker of all time. Along with his crook & drug peddler father and uncle, they continue to trick people. They bad-mouth others & played HBO & the fans for fools. HBO should not let this treachery go unaccounted for. Impose a sanction asap. The masses around the globe only want FMJ’s ruin & don’t like another dupery from these lying, law-breaking family. Convicted criminals & pushers to begin with, enjoying and wasting the money of the fans they fooled for so long.
Ashid
Flag this comment
This theory has already been addressed here ( http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/superfight_saga_all_about_hype_98688694.html?c=y&page=1#storytop )
If anyone is getting fooled, it’s not the consumers or the boxing fan base that drool of the fact that this dream fight of the century may happen, it’s the people that believe Mayweather is pulling everyone’s finger luring everyone in a blackhole to take their money. Floyd’s not fooling anyone this time. His bluff is being called out, in which he has to deal now with public criticism of not wanting to fight. I’m not being fooled, and most others that have followed the fight negotiations aren’t either.
Tso
Flag this comment
Let us not forget that Floyd is a smart boxer and negotiator.
Perhaps if being smart is choosing zero risk, then that is what he is.
goodspeed_1980
Flag this comment
From the very start, PBF’s accusation of PAC being on PED’s is just indirectly admitting that PAC is a serious and tough guy to face off. With PAC’s last fights, they were all domination. So, who’s afraid of who?
Damian
Flag this comment
Um, capitalism has always existed in boxing, especially during the days of Muhammed Ali. That much hasn’t changed. Boxers dream of seeing their name in bright lights and in the glory of wealth and attained stardom. Children and adults flock to their favorite sports stars and purchase and display their favorites. And you want to take that luxury and enjoyment away? Two words, lame and boring.
Maybe you should try to understand the history of the sport (and what capitalism is) before jumping to such ridiculous conclusions.
Rex Torres
Flag this comment
FloyD is just sCARed to get some scaR and HUrt his fACe…and the fight with Mosley was very obvious IT WAS FAKE, that tHEY EVEN TALK in the middle of the fight, not to hurt themselves to much
Barry Tesar
Flag this comment
Muhammad Ali said he was the Greatest and then went out and proved it time and time again against all commers. Floyd says he is the Greatest and then ducks the best competition time and time again. The fact of the matter is that floyd isn’t all that special. He has a good defense, but a mediocre offense that makes for very BORING fights. If Floyd wasn’t always proclaiming his greatness, I have a feeling that nobody would have come up with that idea on their own. If you want to see greatness in the Welterweight Division go on youtube and watch sugar Ray Leonard against Andy Price. And best of all, you can watch that for free.
Comments are closed for this item.