Aussie boxing an evolving enigma

Australian boxing is not dead or dying, merely an evolving beast that continues to change over time.

There were predictable and expected claims after the original scheduled fight between Anthony Mundine and Shane Mosley fell apart in October last year, causing the cancellation of a world title bout between Garth Wood and Martin Murray, and then the eventual staging of Mosley-Mundine.

Australian boxing is fighting for survival, it’s on the ropes, it’s declining, it’s at death’s door.

But I decided to take a closer look at the state of pugilism down under following the Mosley fallout and other recent events.

I spoke to local promoter Brock Ellis to try and sort out fact from fiction, perception from reality.

Ellis believes the original cancellation of the first Mundine-Mosley bout was unfortunate but no deathknell to the sport.

“The mainstream media in Australia has a false perception of what Australian boxing offers and what it really is at a domestic level,” he says.

“For me personally, as someone who actively works in the industry, I truly believe it is thriving on all levels.

“The next generation of budding amateurs who have turned to the paid ranks are a refreshing breath of air to the sport with a ‘never say never’ attitude that has set the benchmark for all other fighters to follow.

“Within 12 months or just over from making their professional debuts, Jake Carr, Qamil Balla, Val Borg and Jeff Horn have already earned the coveted national strap with others such as Damien Hooper, Cameron Hammond, Kye MacKenzie and Ibrahim Balla only being prevented of their opportunity by a lack of willing challengers.”

Ellis went on to name a number of other boxers – from Garth Wood and Billy Dib to Sam Soliman, Sakio Bika, Will Tomlinson and Blake Caparello – who have been active and making progress.

He is confident in the future of Australian boxing.

“For anyone to say Australian boxing is on the wane is beyond ridiculous and in my opinion close to unfounded, the only people who have those opinions are the arm-chair followers whose understanding of the sport starts and ends with Anthony Mundine and Danny Green – with even their followers still remaining admirably avid in spite of their general lack of activity,” Ellis says.

“Promoters across all states in Australia have made a conscious effort to lift the sport’s status and the quality of cards and level of opponents being brought in as well as those showcased on national television via Fox Sports is at an all-time high.

“When the overall product is looked at, it cannot be denied the state of Australian boxing is promising with a terrific mix of youth and experience.

“Australian boxing’s image has definitely taken a hit in the wake of the Mosley-Mundine fiasco, but for anyone who understands the business or even the sport realises that it isn’t the fault of the fighters and the blame solely lies with the event promoter – who in this case was Vlad Wharton of Millennium Events.

“The promoters who regularly promote televised boxing here in Australia do a tremendous job of showcasing and building our nation’s talent and rather than the spotlight shining on the ‘blow-in’ promoters who cannot do their job, praise and recognition should be given to those that regularly do.

“I’m yet to see an article that praises Brian Amatruda, who is without a doubt the sport’s leading promoter, having financed a purpose-built venue for professional boxing – this is unheard in professional sport – so why hasn’t this been praised?

“That goes without saying to other promoters such as Queensland’s Angelo Di Carlo and Jamie Myer who have successfully built stables of fighters that stand alongside Amatruda’s as the premier stables within the industry.

“For mine, it is a lack of understanding and a need to be educated for those outside of what is already a niche’ market.”

It is true boxing in Australia has changed tremendously since the start of the 20th century, let alone in the past 20-30 years, just as it has around the world.

The migration to pay television, the introduction of rival governing bodies, the arrival of mixed martial arts, increased competition from other sports and other factors have all changed the dynamics of the sweet science locally.

It is no longer the ginormous crowd puller it once was.

The influence of rogue promoters and the introduction of rugby league players into the boxing world for quick pay-offs has also had an impact.

But to me, there remains an enduring core following for the sport down under. This has never really changed and probably never will.

You only need to go Jupiters Casino, the Melbourne Pavilion, the Malvern Town Hall or Perth’s Italian Club on a Friday night to see it alive or kicking. Or one of the many gyms and PCYC clubs around the country to see people working the heavy bags and pads.

What has changed is the lack of a cross-over star since the Jeff Fenech and Kosta Tszyu days. A big name to convert the fringe viewers, those once or twice a year fight fans, and go from niche to the big-time.

Yes, Anthony Mundine has created interest and generated publicity, but frankly he has been a mixed bag, probably not reaching the full heights he could have. Not all of his fights and behaviour has covered the sport in glory.

Danny Green has also been a fighter who has brought people in, but his days are done.

To Ellis, Mundine deserves credit but his time in the ring is nearly over.

“Anthony Mundine is a terrific ambassador for Australian sport and should be applauded for his work within the Aboriginal community,” he says.

“Mundine deserves all the credit in the world for bringing Australian boxing back to life, anyone of relevance in the sport will be the first to admit this, his earning potential from boxing is unlike any other figure in this country.

“With that said, he missed out on a golden opportunity as a promoter to build up the next generation underneath him and create a legacy for Australian boxing that would be double what we currently boast to have today.

“He will go down in the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame as a legend rightly so – but his end is near.

“When it comes to exposure, both Danny Green and Anthony Mundine have done a tremendous job building rival brands with the only real difference between the two being that Green Machine Boxing have made a conscious effort to continually stack their pay-per-view cards to help build Australian boxing’s profile.

“A perfect case in point is Will Tomlinson, who is without a doubt a fighter with his own following and brand, but because of his performances on several of Danny Green’s cards, select members of the media have gotten behind him and helped build his profile – which is what these pay-per-view undercards should really be about.”

The arrival of a crossover star could help spur boxing back into the nation’s consciousness.

The likes of US-based Will Tomlinson could do this, or the developing Damien Hooper, or even the emerging Lucas Browne who has a large fan-base, particularly in the UK.

A gold or silver medal in boxing in next year’s Commonwealth Games or the 2016 Olympics could generate more mainstream attention.

What would also help would be the staging of more local match-ups, for fight fans to see the best Australian fighters take each other on. This happens a lot overseas, especially in Britain, but rarely down under.

For example, fights between the likes of Tomlinson, Billy Dib and Joel Brunker would get people interested.

A Daniel Geale-Sam Soliman showdown would be intriguing, while Lucas Browne against Alex Leapai could be great.

Blake Caparello fighting Damien Hooper, Jarrod Fletcher taking on Anthony Mundine or Jeff Horn versus Lenny Zappavigna would be corkers.

Let’s build local rivalries and grudge matches, promote proper domestic contests.

Let the top Aussie fighters tussle and determine who is the best in each division. Then we can get behind the winner as they try and claim a world title.

Too many pro fights in Australia are one-sided, as prospects are protected to build an unbeaten record, which in turn climbs them up the world rankings.

Returning to free-to-air television would be another bright step. While it would not be easy to secure, it would be a turning point in boxing moving away from its purely niche status.

The sweet science has done a great job embracing digital media, from online forums to harnassing Twitter and YouTube content, but having a presence on Australian free-to-air again would be near priceless.

“Getting boxing back on free-to-air would definitely help build the sports profile, but it would have to be on the right terms,” Ellis believes.

“It has been done before with the Superboxer series in 2009 on ONE with limited success and I’m sure at some point it’ll be attempted again, but unless a sustainable model could be built where the promoters were given enough funding to source quality opponents or domestic match-ups – it’ll be difficult – but the thought needs to be long term.”

“The problem in most cases is people are looking too much in the short term, in order to build these marquee match-ups that people so desperately crave, interest needs to be built with two opposing fighters over a period of time before an eventual clash.”

In many ways 2013 was a horrible year for Australian boxing.

Daniel Geale and Billy Dib both lost their world title fights abroad, Dib also losing his rematch, we had the Mundine-Mosley fiasco and the breakdown of Murray-Wood and Michael Katsidis’ return to the ring.

But purely focusing on the negatives ignores several positives.

The great Mundine-Geale card in Sydney in January at the start of the year. Jarrod Fletcher’s scheduled world title shot against Martin Murray set for February 2014.

Blake Caparello’s capture of the IBO light heavyweight strap. The rise of the unbeaten Lucas Browne and his bid for the Commonwealth heavyweight world title next year.

Will Tomlinson’s signing by Golden Boy and move to the US to further his career. Alex Leapai’s planned heavyweight shot against Wladimir Klitschko.

It is not all doom and gloom in the ring.

Yes, boxing is not competing with the AFL or NRL for dollars or top of mind, but it is going OK.

It is surviving and enduring, as it has done for decades. Its niche appeal remains entrenched.

A sport with its history, simplicity, international links and global appeal is hard to knock off. Let’s not forget that.

Don’t bet on boxing going the way of the dodo anytime soon.

Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson