In an interesting conversation with boxing media, Bob Arum, a veteran promoter in the boxing market, shares his honest ideas on a number of frustrating boxing cards that marked the start of the weekend. However, he highlights a more favorable conclusion for the sport and reveals his viewpoints on the extremely expected face-off in between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. Below are some informative remarks from the experienced promoter.

Bob Arum Analyzes the Exciting Inoue vs Cardenas Fight

“The performance was nothing short of spectacular, and thankfully, it turned out to be a thrilling contest amidst an exceptional event. Boxing truly needed this after the disheartening experiences of Friday night’s event in New York and Saturday’s lackluster show in Riyadh. This fight exemplified the essence of boxing. In stark contrast, the earlier matches were a far cry from what we expect, lacking both excitement and entertainment, leaving fans feeling frustrated and disillusioned.”

Arum Discusses Fighter Participation in Potentially Boring Events

“To be completely frank, in the world of boxing, no one is earning any medals for their performances. If the Saudis present a lucrative offer for one of my fighters to compete in a match that I genuinely believe will be unexciting and lacking competitiveness, I would still allow them to participate. The reality is that this is a business, and we are not here to play games; we are professionals. The financial incentives are substantial, and it would be impractical to turn down such opportunities. While I may personally dislike sending my fighter to a potentially dull match, the overwhelming purse makes it a necessary choice.”

“Thus, I might have reservations about placing my fighter into a fight that could end up being tedious. Nevertheless, when the financial reward is exceedingly high, it becomes a decision driven by business necessities rather than personal preferences.”

Insights on the Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford and Haney vs Ramirez Fights

“The situation raises questions about the motivations of these fighters, especially when they are being compensated with such significant amounts of money. Just look at Canelo’s recent bout; he faced an opponent who wasn’t particularly challenging, yet he walked away with a staggering $50 million for that fight. Furthermore, he has been guaranteed $100 million for a future clash with Crawford. This reality begs the question: why would he take any risks in the ring? Unfortunately, that’s detrimental to the sport of boxing.”

“In earlier days, when fighters like Sugar Ray Leonard or Oscar De La Hoya competed, there existed a compelling reason for them to deliver an entertaining performance. Their next match was often already in the pipeline, and they stood to gain additional earnings from pay-per-view revenues and ticket sales. This structure provided a tangible incentive for them to impress the audience and provide thrilling fights.”

“Currently, that incentive seems to be fading as fighters are promised lucrative deals for their subsequent fights, leading them to believe that the best way to secure those deals is by avoiding risky engagements during their current bouts. For instance, Devin Haney is undeniably a skilled fighter. However, the recent fight against Ramirez was an absolute disgrace, lacking the expected excitement. If Haney knows he will receive substantial compensation for a fight with Garcia—assuming Garcia wins—why would he jeopardize that? Such behavior is not in the best interest of boxing and ultimately reflects poorly on the sport.”

“If both fighters are genuinely committed to engaging in an exciting match when they square off, it could be a remarkable event. However, I must admit, if I were required to pay to watch that fight, I would hesitate. Canelo has demonstrated in his last few performances that his focus is more on business than on entertaining the fans. His primary concern appears to be securing the lucrative paycheck.”

“Nevertheless, if Canelo decides to genuinely fight—because it’s evident that Terence always gives his all—then we could witness a compelling and interesting match unfold.”