Boxing art descends into farce

Once again the "noble art" of boxing has descended into farce. The fighters themselves are not to blame. The officials who are supposed to provide control within the sport are guilty of not carrying out their duties responsibly.

With the decision to unify the heavyweight titles after years of having two or more simultaneous heavyweight champions from different boxing organizations (WBA, WBF and IBF) we sat back on Sunday (March 14) morning to see who would become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Well we are still waiting.

The American TV commentary team had the British boxer, Lewis, winning by three points. The Indonesian TV commentary team had Holyfield winning only two rounds, yet amazingly the American judge had him winning by two points.

Boxing judges have traditionally favored the reigning champion and the home boxer for no explicable reason as evidenced by the decision in favor of Oscar de la Hoya a few weeks ago.

The boxing authorities have the video evidence, they can watch the Lewis versus Holyfield fight 1,000 times if they wish. There was only one winner.

But I don't imagine for one minute that they will be brave enough to ensure justice is done and overrule the decision so that Lennox Lewis will be crowned undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world. So the image of boxing as anything but a noble art will be perpetuated.

DAVE GREENWOOD

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