“Whatever Happened to...?”
by Eddie Montalvo
April 13, 2021
Women’s Boxing has had to deal
with so many setbacks throughout its history to get this far
only to see itself hanging by a thread in the most important
phase of its existence.
With all that’s been going on for the past 15 months, with Covid,
lockdowns, travel restrictions and quarantines, women’s boxing
has somehow maintain its momentum internationally. But what has
been overlooked in some instances are; the mismatches which
could’ve have been avoided and, a few unnecessary world title
bouts which have taken place. And another couple of upcoming
title bouts which make no sense whatsoever. But I’ll get to that
later.
“Whatever happened to...?”
Integrity?
Transparency?
Health & Safety?
Fairness?
...and the list goes on.
I do not embrace mismatches, don’t applaud them and, I actually
abhor them.
For years All sanctioning bodies have had their autonomous
rankings. Some have had similar rankings in respects to a
fighters’ trajectory, while others work closely with particular
promoters in order to maintain a constant flow of sanctioning
fees for the “Body” and a belt of some sort for the promoter and
his/her fighter(s). And the latter is where many lines are
crossed.
Paying for a belt (because that is exactly what happens 90% of
the time) takes away the legacy of that belt. And its integrity.
It’s been a common practice for decades in the sport of boxing
for promoters to dictate the flow of championship bouts together
with whatever sanctioning body is in play in order to ensure
that promoters’ fighters are always on top.
Now what happens when a sanctioning body’s decisions are in
total disregard of their rankings, rules & regulations and most
importantly, the health and safety of the fighters? We see a
conflict of interest. We see unnecessary world title match ups,
unnecessary interim title match ups, and so on... For what?
Now, there are some upcoming world title bouts / matchups which
make no sense whatsoever. One is; Multiple World Champion Hannah
Gabriels of Costa Rica versus Martha Patricia Lara of Mexico,
for the WBA Lt. Heavyweight title.
I know, admire and respect both Hannah and Martha Patricia but I
cannot fathom why this matchup is being sanctioned in the first
place and, why is Hannah moving up in weight to fight (and I say
this with all due respect) a natural Super Lightweight (Lara) at
175+lbs, instead of focusing on her divisions (154-160 lbs)? Yes
I know Lara has been fighting at heavier weight classes but it
doesn’t justify a reasonable nor legitimate match up.
I mentioned this particular match up because it’s upcoming and
because it’s an example of what is continuing to happen. Last
minute match ups, mismatches, and so forth. The WBA Female Light
Heavyweight title is vacant, as is the WBC’s and IBF’s, Gevona
Peres is the WBO Lt. Heavyweight Champion. There are at least 5
ranked light heavyweights in the WBA female rankings. Why Lara?
“Whatever Happened to...?”
“We need quality match ups in accordance with talent and skill.”
“We want better pay!” “We want to be treated equally.”
These and many other valid arguments and protest topics have
validity and has been expressed time-and-time again, yet...
Will that line of transparency ever appear again? It has been
crossed, erased and relocated for far too long. How can anyone
expect Progress if no one cares to follow through with its
efforts?
“Whatever Happened to...?”
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