Why Boxing Fans Should Pick Fights That Thrill over Fights of Skill

Boxing fans haven't had a lot of exciting fights in the last few weeks.

Of course, the biggest examples would be Mayweather vs. Ortiz and Dawson vs. Hopkins.

Both were pay-per-views and both let the fans down.

It seems like most fights made nowadays has to do with who has the best record and who has the biggest name.

It happened with Nonito Donaire and Omar Narvaez and look how that ended.

Another boring fight with disgruntled fans who wonder why they pay an HBO subscription fee.

It is true that fans pay to see the best and it is Showtime's and HBO's obligation to give it to them.

Fighters like Mickey Ward, Arturo Gatti or Diego Corrales didn't always have the best records, but they fought hard and they entertained the fans.  That is why they made good money.

Now, boxing fans are told that they should pay exorbitant sums to see fighters who are "skilled" at not getting hit, which is part of the sport, but also don't take any risks.

That shouldn't be how boxing is though.  Fighters who are really skilled and routinely beat the best might make it on top, but that doesn't immediately mean that they should get on premium cable.  

Fighters who are fun to watch, but lose consistently, shouldn't always be on either.

The ones who should be on premium cable are those that win consistently and in an exciting manner.

Though it seems like a stretch, it isn't.  After all, there was a time when boxers were called prizefighters.

Breaking down the word "prizefighter," its definition is very simple: someone who fights to win a prize which was usually money.

Even though boxing has evolved and fighters both walk away with cash, the new prize is a chance at a bigger fight for more money for the winner.

Part of that should include being fun to watch.

That doesn't mean a fighter needs to be hit a lot, or brawl without any pretense at skill.  It just means that they need to be entertaining.

It means having their opponent miss and then being countered.

That is real technique and skill.  That is real ability.

I won't try and tell fans that they should boycott fights they believe will be boring. Partly because it won't work and partly because boxing fans have always watched fights when they are available and always will.

However, if there is a choice between watching two prizefighters and two "skilled" boxers, hopefully fans will choose to watch the better fight.

The one with the fighters in it.