Joe Calzaghe Declares Boxing Dead And Buried

Following his big win a few weeks back over Roy Jones Jr., the boxing world has been waiting with baited breath to find out just what undefeated light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe will do next. Given the tone of his statements yesterday, we’d say the smart money should bet on his retirement.
According to Calzaghe, boxing is on life support, and it appears he’d rather not be around to watch it die.

“I think boxing is a dying sport. Globally — in America for instance — you’ve got UFC, which has taken a lot off boxing, business-wise,” Calzaghe said, referring to the mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“There is too much politics in boxing, too many belts and too many champions, which dilutes real champions like myself,” he said. “There are four world champions in each division and it’s bad because there are no stars any more. It’s a big problem.”

“America only had one medalist in the Olympics this year,” Calzaghe said. “In Britain, we did pretty good, but I’m glad I’m ending my career and not starting it because I don’t think it’s going to be that great in the future.”

Calzaghe is right in some respects. The UFC has definitely hurt boxing’s bottom line, and the absence of a united governing body does let politics, and money, play too big a role in selecting fights and protecting champions. But things aren’t all bad. The Manny Pacquiao v. Oscar De La Hoya PPV did do $70 million in business, which would seem to indicate there is still a big market for well-executed, meaningful fights.
Maybe, instead of contemplating his retirement, Calzaghe should stick around and fight a few more times, helping to save the sport that made him a rich man?
Calzaghe: Boxing on the ropes [ESPN]
Fight generates $70M in TV revenue [ESPN]
Image [MikeResponts]