Never underestimate your power, as a consumer, when it comes to affecting change in boxing. While sometimes it seems that the power brokers in the sport couldn?t care less about what the fans and media really want, the truth is that there is always great concern when it comes to a consumer backlash.
The underlying question in the proposal of every event is whether it can be sold to the fans. Some bouts are instant blockbusters; others need a bit of a nudge in order to make them bankable events. But others, however, are beyond help. The stakes are especially high when one considers big money bouts held on pay-per-view (or headlining major cards on free network TV).
And that takes us to Floyd Mayweather and his rumored September 12 clash with former WBC and IBF welterweight titlist Andre Berto.
Upon hearing the rumors about this pairing, the boxing world, in unison, has expressed their dislike and contempt. Even some of Mayweather?s staunchest defenders have criticized the cynical match-up. The best that has been said by Mayweather?s supporters is that Mayweather deserves a ?gimme? and that, at the very least, Berto is no less deserving of a PPV showcase than Chris Algieri, who lost every moment of every round to Manny Pacquiao when the two met in late 2014.
In a recent article, Mitch Abramson of the New York Daily News cites a source that says Mayweather ?has been stung by media criticism over his selection of Berto.? That could explain why a bout being described as a done deal by online gossip site TMZ earlier this week is now being listed as merely one of many options being explored by the five-division world champ.
It?s very likely that an angry boxing fan based roared its unanimous disapproval all at once and it reached the ears of the money men behind the matchmaking, who now have serious concern over whether they can even give Mayweather-Berto away for free.
The announcement of an official decision in the ?Who fights Floyd Next? sweepstakes is said to have been pushed back until next week. You can bet that Team Mayweather is exploring all options and deciding whether Berto can eventually be sold as a worthwhile foe with a 3-3 record in his last six and a universal boxing reputation as ?damaged goods.?
Mayweather and crew may be working towards salvaging this easier than easy 49th victory, but they will have to contend with the burning fan discontent this pairing will produce if they go ahead and make it. This delay is proof positive that your voice does count and that a united fan base can really make positive changes at all levels of the sport.
