(AUG 20)
Before I
talk about the six-round NABF title bout that took place last
night, I want to say that this is not targeted at the female
boxers or their managers who fought for this particular title.
They are trying to be active on boxing cards, and it is really
out of their hands on this topic.
With that said, last night at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, in
Dover, Delaware, Ronica Jeffrey, 127½, won a six-round
unanimous decision over Ela Nunez, 128. Scores: 59-55, 59-55,
and 60-54. The two were fighting a six-rounder for the Super
Featherweight NABF title belt.
My
question is this-----and will ALWAYS be this.....
Why would any organization take women's boxing back to the
dark ages "literally" by having "Baby Belts" (as WBAN calls them) competitions in six
rounder, 12 minutes in duration title fights?
Can you only "imagine" male boxers fighting 12 minutes,
six-round bouts for a TITLE BELT with a federation?
The NABF
states the following rule in regards to NABF title fights for
women: "The NABF Belt is a
stepping stone to a World
Title. We want to differentiate from the other belts. We are
dedicated to encouraging fights within the USA, Canada and
Mexico during an economically
challenged time. We also want to motivate young fighters.
Therefore, we are going to allow 6-8 round championship fights.
We will also look seriously as the athletes amateur record in
considering their qualifications. Hopefully, this will diminish
your costs but not the quality of your fighters." Here
are the links to the rules for both women and men.
[Link
to rule for women] [men's
rules - their standard most generally are 12 rounds (3
minutes)--there can be exceptions to their rules, but they
certainly are not fighting two-minute six round bouts for their
belts-didn't see any mention of cutting cost for economic
reasons for male boxers in their rules]
On this same night, in
Hammond, Indiana, a men's bout took place with Henry Lundy who
fought David Diaz in a scheduled 10 round (three-minute rounds)
for a NABF title. Men fight 30 minutes...Women fight 12
minutes.....?
So...they
are doing this practice with the women boxers for the "Economic" climate? To cut the Costs?
Give women more opportunities?
My question is this .....Why are female boxers getting
the cuts in rounds, which means ultimately the possibility of
cuts in purses. Wouldn't it make more sense to lower rounds for
male boxers since they are the "majority" on the boxing cards?
I
"really" do not expect any answers to the questions I
have asked about this----and I am certainly not advocating that
they or any federations cut men's bouts to six rounds.
It is
just very disappointing to see some of these federations "so"
obviously desperate (in my opinion) to do any and everything to get their belt on a
boxing card. AND..at any expense that ultimately either
affects the sport, or the female boxers who deserve so much more.
