EDITOR’S LETTER
The social media reaction to Spence-garcia was ridiculous
The fallout from Spence-garcia
THIS time last week Mikey Garcia was regarded as one of the best fighters in the sport as he marched towards Errol Spence Jnr. But the IBF welterweight champion was expected to be too big a jump.
What followed was a dominant thrashing from Spence yet Garcia, in no condition to perform as a welterweight, pluckily lasted the distance. It was another lesson in why weight classes exist and why, nearly always, the best fights occur when they’re evenly matched. Spence, though, deserves plenty of credit for his performance.
Now a popular opinion seems to be that Garcia was overrated all along or that Spence, who was brilliant throughout his lopsided points triumph, is not very good either because he failed to stop his challenger within 12 rounds.
It’s such conclusions that make social media almost comedic.
Twitter fits the granddaddy of boxing spin, Bob Arum, like a glove. Arum knows Garcia well after promoting him for several years before the relationship soured and the fighter eventually broke free from their contract. Garcia didn’t try to beat Spence, Arum declared via Twitter in a curious attempt to market his own impending welterweight promotion. “Unlike Mikey Garcia, Amir Khan goes into a fight trying to win,” Team Arum wrote. “His boxing ability, which is phenomenal, could give Terence Crawford fits.”
But at least the classless outburst can be explained - Arum and Garcia have history, and the promoter has a fight to promote (Crawford-khan on April 20). Quite what everyone else’s excuse is, I’m not sure.
In this week’s issue we examine the trend of online bitterness in detail [pages 28-31], its roots and its reasons for growth. The results do not paint a great picture of the sport and the effect it has on its fans. And it would seem that Spence-garcia – a matchup that was thrown together more in hope than likelihood it would deliver – is the latest case in point.
DOES anyone really want to see Manny Pacquiao served up to Spence in the American’s next outing? Perhaps they do. It will certainly sell. And that’s all that matters, it seems. If it can shift tickets and pay-per-views, it’s good enough, irrespective of how competitive it’s likely to be. But Pacquiao deserves better and Spence deserves better. So, too, do the boxing public.
It’s little wonder everyone is losing their minds on social media when the sport stutters and stalls on delivering the best matchups and instead fills time with showcases that are deemed appealing only because they have been heavily marketed as such.
Pacquiao is 40 years old and on the way down. His achievements are second to none but does anyone really think he can beat Spence? Seriously, outside of the Filipino’s team and his diehard fans, it’s unlikely you’ll find a single person on the planet that would pick him to win. So what is the point?
IT was heart-wrenching to read the BN interview with Anthony Ogogo on pages 24-27. It highlights the astonishing pull that the sport has on those who dare to pursue it as a career. Just 30 years old and ravaged by injuries since his amateur days, Ogogo – who won a bronze medal in bittersweet circumstances at London 2012 – has been forced to admit that he can go no further. One hopes he will soon be able to look back with pride on his achievements but it’s going to be a difficult road; particularly as he has spent so long consumed by a future that just wasn’t meant to be. Everyone at BN wishes Anthony all the very best.
THE Ringside Rest and Care project [page 9] continues to raise funds and come up with new ideas. At the end of July the team behind the residential home plan to record a song that will feature the voices of rock stars, former boxers, including world champions, under the name of ‘Box Aid’. All boxers – past and present – are implored to get involved in an event that is sure to generate plenty of attention. I’m told being able to sing is not a necessity to join in. Anyone interested should contact Dave Harris (07947-084-018).