ENEMIES AT THE GATES
A minority of ‘fans’ are dragging the sport into the gutter
THE following is not intended to offend promoters, criticise the excellent security firms who work for them, nor belittle the efforts of the brave fighters who put their lives on the line every single week in British rings. None are directly to blame for the moronic violence that is blighting the sport, nor should they be expected to apologise for last weekend’s repulsive scenes that tainted George Groves’ victory over Jamie Cox in London, and left a teenager dead from stab wounds in Walsall.
But to turn a blind eye to the increasingly bad behaviour of certain fans, or write it off as an inevitable by-product of modern society – even though, to a large extent, it is – should not be the course of action either. The sport has changed over the years and, while fighting in the stands is nothing new, what is now becoming a regular occurrence at boxing events should be addressed as a consequence of that evolution.
Some will tell you that British boxing is in the midst of its greatest ever period due to the amount of shows and fights that take place each week. Granted, the country can boast a record number of world champions, appealing matchups at the top level and soaring exposure.
But, if you have the stomach for it, delve deeper and you will discover all manner of horrors. Break down those record-setting numbers into truly competitive fights and the figure becomes less impressive. What it illustrates, really, is the sport – eager to capitalise on the success at elite level – spreading itself so thinly that it’s virtually impossible for most promoters to name the fights on their shows in advance. What you will see is the left side of the bill stacked with prospects – see also, ticket-sellers – and the right side to be confirmed. In turn, attendances are predominantly punters there solely to support one combatant, rather than real boxing fans indulging in their passion for the sport. Eventually, after a series of knockovers, a ticket-seller will meet a ticket-seller and we have two armies of opposing fans in place. It doesn’t always spell trouble, but the stage - like a football match - is certainly set.
Which brings us to the copious amount of drinking which occurs at almost every single show. Alcohol consumption does not turn everyone into maniacs but it does little to soothe those with fiery tendencies. It is no coincidence that since the laws on drinking at boxing events were relaxed in 2011 – allowing fans to take their beverages into arenas – we have seen a change in the audience demographic and behaviour.
One can see why the change occurred because, without question, the sport had got stuck in time. But now it must move with what it’s created: If sticky nightclubs are effectively the order of the day then promoters must ensure security and policing is both visible and suitably skilled to stop skirmishes becoming full-scale riots. If we’re recreating the rivalries of football matches, then we must examine the issues and solutions that sport faced over the years before going any further.
It’s time to stop facilitating the revelry that’s at the root of the problem: While the majority enjoy the facilities sensibly, beer-guzzling thugs, jaws akimbo and eyes ablaze, emerging super-charged from cubicles is an all too familiar sight.
And it’s the issue of recreational drugs among fans that is perhaps the most troubling. It’s true that searches occur outside venues but drugs are clearly getting through. One only has to visit the toilets – where queues develop for cubicles and urinals stand empty – for evidence of that. Or even just watch that by now infamous footage, inadvertently captured by Sky Sports during the aftermath of Anthony Crolla-ricky Burns, of one ringsider rubbing something into the gums of his neighbour, and the scale of the problem is there, quite literally, for all to see.
While British boxing continues to improve its safety measures inside the ropes, the mindless death in Walsall on Saturday night showed it’s falling woefully behind outside them.