By BMikeA
I mentioned in the first part of "A Boxing Resurrection" that there were some big challenges facing the sport. Though my observations were not brand new to hardcore fans, I felt it was important to mention them. They are challenges that still need to be addressed in order to halt the momentum that is causing the erosion of Boxing’s popularity and credibility in the eyes of many. You might as well say that the sport is in a fight itself. As in any fight, how the combatants respond will determine the outcome of the battle.
Think about it. Boxing could actually experience revitalization on a national, hell, a world-wide level if it managed to reinvent itself. How? By facing the reality of the current situation, learning from other successful sports organizations and adapting accordingly. Yes, that opens up issues of ego and cutting into short-term profits while attempting this massive undertaking. However, it would set up the potential for greater rewards in the long-term.
It all begins at home. Chicago, in my opinion, has the makings of being a boxing mecca. Why? With local promoters like Hitz Boxing and 8 Count Productions, we have fight cards happening on a fairly regular basis. The frequency of the matches is something any fight fan should be excited by. I remember a time in this city when there seemed to be nothing going on. With these promoters doing their respective best, we fans have more opportunities to see boxing live. And as the old marketing phrase goes, “Boxing is better live.” If these promoters give us fights that are exciting and worth talking about in the locker room, at the water cooler, and hell, “twittering’ about it, then we have the start of a trend of returning the fights as “must see” events.
Since recently joining Cuerus, I’ve noticed that our coverage has been on the major headliners in Vegas and the like. Of course, with a limited number of pages, you focus on the high profile fights that most people may want hear about. However, as a fight fan through-and-through, I want to know about what’s going on here also. Since all of us here at Cuerus are fight fans, we are all in agreement on this. As a Chicago-based paper, we need to facilitate communication with people in the know here within Chicagoland. We still have to use our pages to appeal to the greatest number of fans but we now want to expand with special features and extras that we can include on our web site. So, make sure to visit www.cuerusboxing.com as we get ready to include more on Boxing at every level.
We also feel that it is very important to cover the amateur scene. This is where the professional boxers of tomorrow find their passion for the sport. The journey of striving to be the best begins at the amateur level. We need to promote these events that drum up interest in the sport, provide an opportunity for kids to learn the benefits of boxing training and remind the community that these programs offer a place where kids can spend their time doing something positive. Professional boxing will surely wither if we don’t harness the potential talent that is cultivated in these programs.
Our observations have the potential of reaching thousands of sports fans here in the Chicagoland area. The goal is to help return the spotlight to a sport that some people have not been paying attention to and those writing it off as irrelevant. By being diligent commentators and even offering constructive criticism on things we may not be happy with as fans, our staff will have fulfilled our duties of being an independent paper that loves the sport of boxing. Cuerus aims to be an informative and entertaining source for all things pugilistic.
The effect of change isn’t immediately felt and the entire Boxing community will need to realize they play an important part in the revitalization of our sport. At the local level, we need to make sure we set a standard for putting on the best fights possible. To the promoters, let’s offer fans that are strapped for cash in these economic times even more affordable options. The greatest goal should be to think about ways to nurture and support the park district, independent gyms and new youth programs that will not only give rise to the next generation of boxers, but also give kids a fighting chance to be good citizens. This would be an outstanding contribution by our boxing community. Let’s get started…
Miguel your writing is right on point with Chicago becoming a boxing Mecca. We spoke the other day,
ReplyDeleteI have been involved with Chicago Youth Boxing for close to 10 years and have been involved in karate, kickboxing and boxing for over 25 years. I believe that the purest form of boxing comes from the grassroots level and can only succeed if certain, sincere and motivated people come together to make this happen. Un fortunately there are many individuals who are self serving and are only involved for self-serving and selfish reasons.
However, having many negative obstacles to overcome on a personal level, I see that persistence pays off.