RAGE AROUND THE MACHINE || FIGHTHYPE.COM

There was some controversy surrounding a recent heavyweight fight this past Saturday due to the “world title” label it carried. However, this was mainly perpetuated by certain members of the boxing media who often engage in contrived outrage.

The bout between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois was for Dubois’ IBF heavyweight title. Dubois, who had become the IBF interim champion after defeating Filip Hrgovic in June, was promoted to full champion status following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate his IBF title in order to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury instead of facing Dubois in a mandatory title fight.

Regardless of the title implications, the actual fight between Joshua and Dubois turned out to be an exciting contest, with Joshua taking a significant beating (which will be discussed in more detail elsewhere).

Prior to the fight, Boxingscene published a critical piece targeting the IBF, consisting of 1,707 words that condemned the organization for recent decisions related to stripping fighters of their titles. While the commentary was harsh, it ultimately lacked substance.

The boxing media has a tendency to focus on easy targets, such as sanctioning bodies, to appear critical. However, this approach often lacks depth and fails to address the root issues within the sport.

While it’s valid to criticize the questionable actions of sanctioning bodies, it’s important to acknowledge that they are often controlled by the sport’s power players to serve their own interests. Blaming the organizations is akin to targeting middlemen in a larger system of corruption within boxing.

It’s imperative for the media to hold those in power accountable, rather than scapegoating peripheral figures like the sanctioning bodies. In a sport where promotion masquerades as news, genuine journalism is often sidelined in favor of maintaining relationships with influential figures.

The media’s reluctance to confront the true power dynamics in boxing reflects a broader trend of prioritizing access and promotion over honest reporting. Criticizing the superficial aspects of the sport while ignoring the underlying issues perpetuates a cycle of complacency.

While the recent Boxingscene article on the IBF may have attempted to highlight flaws within the organization, it ultimately fell short of delivering meaningful critique. In a sport that demands fearless investigative journalism, trivial distractions only hinder progress.

Instead of targeting secondary players like the IBF, the media should channel their efforts towards uncovering systemic corruption and malpractice within boxing. Addressing the root causes of misconduct requires a proactive and unyielding approach from journalists.

In a sport where integrity is paramount, holding those in power accountable is the true measure of journalistic excellence. The boxing media must shift its focus from superficial controversies to substantive issues that threaten the sport’s credibility.