Fighting for the prestigious title is slowly losing some of its attraction

saved by the lonki bell

In the not- so-distant past,in a fight where the South African title was at stake, fireworks were as inevitable as death and taxes.

The South African title had so much prestige that every boxer dreamed of fighting for one, with winning it being the ultimate symbol of dominance in that particular division.

South African title fights were dramatic, memorable and exciting so much that both boxers would put on a beautiful show and give it their level best just to get their hands on the prestigious South African title.

Fast forward to the current era where there are so many options and routes that boxers can take without fighting for the SA title. Boxers are now bombarded with plenty options, varying from Pan-African, international to intercontinental titles offered by the various sanctioning bodies.

Perhaps these options have contributed to the decline of the prestige of SA titles and further contributing to the decline are some of the performances in these SA title fights.

Naturally, in a national title fight there is a certain level of urgency, class and hunger that is expected by boxing fans.

A national title fight should be just that, a title fight for the highest national honours and an opportunity to stand head and shoulders above your fellow countrymen.

But Instead these national title fights become dulll affairs with little or no excitement and no clear display of determination, often from both the champion and challenger respectively. Confusingly enough, a challenger approaches a title fight with a sense of entitlement as if the title is guaranteed to be theirs as long as they show up to the fight.

What happened to Challengers wearing their hearts on their sleeves and laying it all on the line while leaving nothing to chance and displaying immense hunger and desire for victory? Today you find challengers who cruise on autopilot in title bouts, challengers who are content with leaving the fight up to the judges to decide their fate. A challenger is called a “challenger” for a reason and that is to unseat the champion.

Champions are not unseated by being meek and tame, a champion has to be clearly and convincingly beaten.

Champions, too, in national title fights tend to relax and display a demeanour of comfort and safety. Rightfully so, because there is no rule that states a champion cannot relax when the fight is easy. But still, the champion in question has to dominate the fight and show beyond any shadow of doubt that they have retained their title.

National title fights are very important and all involved should approach them as such. The excitement in national titles has hit an all-time low but it is not to too late to reignite that flame.