Dec 16

It’s Official - Professional Boxing has Jumped the Shark

Posted by Richard Parker

It is a term often reserved for successful television shows that have stayed on the air past their prime but one that can appropriately now be applied to professional boxing. It has, sadly, “jumped the shark”. For those not familiar with the shark jumping phraseology, it originated with none other than the Fonz. Yes, Arthur Fonzarelli or Fonzie to his friends. At a time when Happy Days should have been yanked off the air several seasons prior, the producers at Happy Days came up with the concept that the Fonz would slap on some water skies and jump over a shark. It was at that moment that everyone could finally agree - Happy Days was no longer making anyone happy.

Image of the Fonz and Klitschko

 

Despite the absence of water skies, boxing recently reached the lowest of lows as well. Sure, De La Hoya and Pacquiao made out like bandits grabbing $22 million and $11 million respectfully - allowing for the argument that there remains a strong and loyal boxing following. The fight? Well it sucked but that seems to be besides the point in boxing these days.

To make my point clear - was anyone aware of the heavyweight championship bout on December 13th, 2008? I missed it. Didn’t even know it was scheduled. This is a division that was once the home of Ali, Frazier, Tyson and more recently Lennox Lewis. If any of those former champions were defending their belts, even if against an unknown opponent in their basement, the boxing world would have been all over it. These days, the marquee division in boxing - the big boys - is a joke.

Let’s recap the fight. Wladimir Klitschko stopped Hasim Rahman in the seventh round in Mannheim Germany to retain his three heavyweight belts. That’s about all you need to know unless you are looking for a good laugh. Ok, here goes - Klitschko landed 178 punches to Rahman’s… 30. To do the math for you, that is just over 4 punches per round. Do you see the shark yet? Allow me to continue then – on the undercard was none other than former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe who beat Gene Pukall (14-13-2). Yes, Gene Pukall. It was Bowe’s third professional fight since 1996. He’s taking his time between bouts.

Congratulations Wladimir – next up for you Larry Holmes perhaps?

Comments
Reggie says:
December 16th, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Pro boxing has sucked for the years and this is just another example.

It’s hard enough to watch the main events in most boxing nights, try watching the undercards.

You might die from boredom.

PHIL POUNDES says:
December 16th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

I HAVE TO SAY SAW YOUR SITE ON NEWSNOW-
BOXING AND DECIDED TO READ THE ARTICLE.
SOUNDS LIKE SOUR GRAPES-MMA RUBBISH IS BOXING VERY UGLY SISTER- SOUL LESS AND
EMBARRASING. I HAVE TRIED TO WATCH IT BUT FIND IT A TOTAL TURNOFF. BOXING
IS STILL THE SWEET SCIENCE- I AGREE NOT EVERY CONTEST IS BUT NO SPORT IS TOTALLY WATCHABLE ALL THE TIME. MMA/
ufc is ugly, no skill just brave men
grappling with no soul. Its popularity is one of the new boy on the block and will not last. cage fighting is primitive and a farce as a sport.
long live BOXING,the best sport ever

Phenom says:
December 16th, 2008 at 6:28 pm

its nice that phil here likes to run his mouth on something he knows nothing about. grappling with no soul? what exactly does that mean, dude ur an idiot to believe that boxing is gonna survive. boxing is boring and boring doesnt make for good tv. people want to see the out of nowhere head kick that drops someone, or the guy who has been getting the S*^& beat out of him for two and a half rounds and catches the guy in an armbar to win. It adds the excitement that boxing doesnt have and never could. thats excitement and thats whats gonna last. LONG LIVE MMA

Blitz says:
December 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

PHIL POUNDES

You have no idea what you are talking about. It is comments like that, that will make people not take you seriously at all. You know nothing of MMA that much is completely obvious. MMA is Chess to boxing’s Checkers. It is more diverse, it utilizes more fighting techniques, than any other combat sport. I have no hate for Boxing myself. But don’t start spewing that nonsense about MMA and no skill. You sound like a fool, go down to an MMA Gym and ask them to take you through what they learn. Open your eyes and your mind pall.

fred says:
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm

hey, is there a section just for latest news

Joey "The Buck" Unks says:
April 25th, 2009 at 10:25 pm

http://www.myspace.com/thesexiestmanonmyspace

I think Phil and Phenom should just street fight for their respect from one another.

I’m a boxer. I’m going to be one of the greatest boxers ever to come out of Ohio.

As far as Boxing/MMA debates go…. A good fighter should never leave his feet or have to grab you. If I want to put you in a sissy hold and break your arm or something, I’d do it after I knocked you out with my hands.

Joey “The Buck” Unks (The Undefeated One)

Boxing has been boring lately. Besides that Mexican guys Dad eating a dog, nothing interesting has happened, but now I’m here. Come follow my career on myspace. I’ll fight anyone. I don’t care who it is.

Joey "The Buck" Unks says:
April 25th, 2009 at 10:29 pm

Please Contact me to set up a bout. I’m 5′7 158 lbs. right now. We can go up or we can go down. I’ve been 196 lbs. rock solid, all the way down to 132 lbs. rock solid.

Come bring that money my way please. And make it snappy.

Doug "Shank" Ayer says:
May 4th, 2010 at 11:38 am

I’m the former: M.F.C.-Mid-Heavyweight Champ; N.W.A.-Light Heavyweight Champ; W.U.F.C.-Cruiserweight Champ & former: North American Kickboxing Champ. I’m looking for fights in Canada.

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