Boxing is a controversial sport. People will begin to speculate and blame others for fixing matches when there’s so much money on the line. You don’t want to see your rival succeeding as much as you do. For these people, fixing matches is a tool and not illegal.
While boxing, in general, isn’t a corrupt sport, there have been numerous instances where boxing was involved in corruption scandals. For example, a few matches are suspicious of being fixed in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Likewise, the 2016 Olympics in Rio had numerous matches suspected of corruption.
It is important to note that any sport always has negative instances. There have been numerous scandals in running, for example. And now, running is considered to be a relatively corrupted sport.
Sometimes, we must look at the bright side and ignore the negative side. But, when the negative side appears when we least expect it to, it ruins our experience and, thus, the sport.
So, corruption ruins the watching experience, as you’ll start to think every fight is fixed. As such, the sport will become dull and not enjoyable to watch.
Before diving into the article, follow the link if you want to read the complete beginner’s boxing guide. This is a must-read for any inexperienced boxer out there.
Is boxing a corrupt sport?
There have been numerous insiders reporting alleged corruption in boxing. While they won’t reveal too many details at most times, they’ll hint toward general corruption. So, is boxing a fixed sport?
boxing, as a sport, has had various suspected corruption scandals throughout the years. However, most fights are legit and, thus, fun to watch. But, many dedicated boxing followers have stopped following the current scene, as they have started to suspect every fight of being fixed.
That’s what happens when a few fights are suspected of being fixed. You suddenly suspect each match of being corrupted. Indeed, such a phenomenon ruins the watching experience.
Eventually, it’s not just Deion Sanders who thinks boxing is corrupt. Even Katie Taylor, Three-Time World Amateur Champion, thinks so too.
“People shouldn’t be allowed to judge fights if they’re not going to be fair,”. “They need to be suspended for it.”
Katie Taylor – Three-Time World Amateur Champion
Although it’s not evidence, it says something about the culture and the vibe boxing communicates to the competing boxers. Eventually, if professional boxers feel unsafe in the world of corruption, how can the viewer watch the match and believe it’s real?
Instances where boxing was corrupt
Now, let’s examine the evidence. Thus far, we have only suspected while giving a few examples of alleged corruption. So, let’s start looking at the facts.
This part of the article will examine various instances where boxing was corrupt.
I warn you. However, I can’t enjoy boxing as much now as I did before. I, unfortunately, am starting to think every match is corrupt (although it’s not.)
When large sums of money are on the line, I’m starting to suspect every boxer of fixing the match.
As such, if you want to remain innocent and enjoy watching boxing as much as you did before, close the article. But keep reading if you’re curious about the relationship between corruption and boxing.
#1 – Manny Pacquiao vs. Jeff Horn
The first instance is one that led to numerous scandal reports. I found Manny’s reaction funny, as it knew something was happening.
Just watch the video, and you’ll see how bad a scenario Jeff Horn got himself into. Looking at the match from an outsider’s view, you’ll see how strange and funny it seems.
Horn threw countless illegal hits, especially to the back of the head. Furthermore, he was constantly clinching and throwing illegal hits, even elbows.
#2 – Trying to bribe a judge with women (2008)
In the 2008 Olympic Games in China, there were a few instances of bribing a judge who performed there. You can see how fixed the match could have been had the judge accepted the bribery.
Of course, it lets you know the judges’ many possibilities for accepting bribery. All it takes is one judge who isn’t as fair to ruin a match.
He further detailed an incident when prostitutes were sent to his room, and he sent them back, denying the offer. The next morning he was approached by an official who asked him, “You don’t like women?” SOURCE
#3 – Rio Olympics might have been corrupt
The 3rd instance happened at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The previous instance happened at the Olympics as well. Well, the next will too. So, you can imagine how much of a bad reputation boxing has in the Olympics.
According to an insider, two matches caused the “system to collpase.” Nine were suspicious. I don’t know what will make your mind think – if this example doesn’t.
An independent report found that nine bouts at the Rio Olympics were “suspicious”, while two caused the system to “collapse”
SOURCE
#4 – Boxing corruption match at the 2012 London Olympics
And, for the final instance, we have the 2012 London Olympics. Frankly, this one disgusts me, as I know how much money is on the line.
However, seeing AIBA, The International Boxing Association, in such a scandal makes me not want to watch boxing again.
Secret payments of millions of dollars were exchanged for two boxing Olympic gold medals.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has been rocked to the core after BBC Newsnight alleged tonight that it has uncovered evidence of secret payments of millions of dollars from Azerbaijan in exchange for two boxing Olympic gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics.
SOURCE
To end this section, I want to show how much I appreciate the Olympics. It was once a platform for the best athletes in the world to show their skills.
However, I see it as a money-making machine, not showing any sign of fairness to the athletes who invest their lives in their craft. It’s become a platform you suspect rather than enjoy.
Is boxing judging corrupt?
Sometimes, judges accept bribery. Frankly, it’s only common sense that some referees will be less fair than their peers. That happens because boxing is a business for most people. It’s a way to make a living. However, boxing is a lifestyle for others.
Boxing judging isn’t, for the most part, corrupt. However, it’s only common sense that some boxing referees will be less fair than others. As a result, they’ll accept bribery, as all they care about is money. Most judges, however, have solid reputations, especially the ones who judge the biggest matches.
‘Boxing Has Been Corrupt Since the Day I Started’:
Bill Phillips, a seasoned boxing referee
If a seasoned boxing judge says that about boxing, isn’t that something you need to consider? I’m confident some of your favorite fights weren’t as fair as you think.
I encourage you to pay more attention to what’s happening in the boxing scene. Most bribes, however, will never be revealed to the public.
Why rig boxing matches?
Various reasons exist as to why people rig boxing matches. I can’t count the number of scandals in boxing’s history. I can say that it’s generally a fair sport, but a few rotten apples ruined the entire tree.
Boxers, organizations, and officials rig boxing matches primarily to make money. It all seems to be an amount of money in the boxing scene. People pay money to ensure their fighter wins the match for numerous reasons, such as bets, future growth, or cashing out from a boxing contract.
Final words
Boxing, generally, is a sport worth watching. That said, some instances and scandals have ruined the experience for countless dedicated followers who once thought this sport was clean.
But, numerous judges have gone out to admit their mistakes or others’ misdeeds. As such, you can understand that people bribe others, even at the top.
Boxing is nothing but a business for some. It’s a money-making machine when you think about it.
All you need to do is bribe enough people to make more money.
You’ll also enjoy reading about overcoming the fear of boxing if you enjoyed reading this article; do follow the link to learn more about the fear factor & how to overcome it.