U.S. Senate - Will Boxing Debacle Be Investigated?

bleacherreport.com

My guess is that staffers for some United States Senator are already putting together a case for the United States Senate to have a full-blown investigation of boxing thanks to the controversial Manny Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley fight this past Saturday Night.  The split-decision favoring Bradley has been rebuked by anyone and everyone that witnessed the championship fight.  Conspiracy theories, the fix, a rematch have all been bandied about looking for answers.  Even Bob Arum, Top Rank Promotions, who promotes both fighters has called for an investigation. 

How can something so appealing and delicious be refused by some U.S. Senator.  It has all the makings of great publicity.  Not only the national news but around-the-clock coverage by ESPN.  Great television - great reelection possibilities for someone looking to grab some national attention and exposure.  The real question, however, does anyone really care?  Is boxing mainstream enough for senatorial attention? 

I believe the U.S. Senate should hold hearings and force all involved in boxing to create standards for their sport.  There should be one overriding governing body for boxing, all weight and class divisions.  The state commissions can be maintained but the sport needs an international governing body that establishes rules, safety, promotions, refereeing and judges only to mention a few key areas of concern. 

Boxing has always been a great sport in this nation but always under a cloud of suspicion.  Promoters are seen as near-mobsters and there is little to discredit those long-held beliefs.  There have been periods of time when the fight game seemed to be above board and moving in the right direction.  No longer.  It is time for the game be managed again in a safe, consistent and professional manner. 

Such leadership of the fight game might rekindle the sport to days gone by.  Most in my generation and my parent's generation remember all the heavyweight fighters of our day.  All of us remember the Olympic glory that so many of our heavyweights brought to our nation.  Moving from the Olympics to the professional fight game, the list of great fighters is endless. 

Where are the days of Joe Louis, James Braddock and Rocky Marciano?  Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier?  Structure, standards and fair play all above reproach would bring the fight game back to a position of stature in the American sporting world.  Ali captured the attention of the world with his stunning work in the ring and his out of the ring humanitarian efforts.

Forcing the hand of those involved with boxing  to clean-up their act and produce a real, honest-to-goodness product is indeed worthy of the United States Senate.  Notify C-Span, CNN and ESPN.