The world of professional boxing operates quite like the gig economy we see in ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft. Unlike most major sports where athletes receive a steady salary, boxers enter the ring fight by fight, negotiating fresh contracts each time. This unique structure sets boxing apart as one of the few major sports without centralized governing bodies.
However, the gig economy in boxing has its dark side. It often perpetuates exploitative practices, particularly affecting fighters hailing from marginalized backgrounds, predominantly black and brown communities. White promoters and managers sometimes reap substantial profits from the hard labor of these fighters, leaving many boxers struggling to make ends meet, necessitating second jobs to survive.
The widespread belief that all boxers are multimillionaires is a common misconception. While this might be true for a select few, most boxers struggle to earn a sustainable livelihood from the sport. The lion's share of a fighter's earnings often goes to managers, promoters, and behind-the-scenes figures rather than to the fighters themselves.
A significant issue in professional boxing is the influence of promotional companies. While highly recognized, promoters like Top Rank, Golden Boy, and Matchroom don't represent the entire landscape. Corruption is prevalent, especially in lower-level professional boxing, where promoters may engage in unethical practices. Unfortunately, lax regulations in some states enable promoters to skirt accountability.
Furthermore, the systemic foundation of boxing economics and politics has fostered corruption within the sport. Corrupt practices such as influencing judges' decisions to favor certain fighters or taking exorbitant percentages of a boxer's earnings continue to plague the sport. The absence of a comprehensive rating system allows individuals to manipulate which fighters get promoted based on factors unrelated to skill, such as background and lifestyle.
In the complex world of professional boxing, these challenges persist, raising important questions about the fairness and integrity of the sport.
What did Cedric Robinson mean by racial capitalism? Boston Review. (2021, November 22). Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://bostonreview.net/articles/robin-d-g-kelley-introduction-race-capitalism-justice/
Fighting Outside the Ring: A Labor Alternative to the Continued Federal Regulation of Boxing by Arlin R. Crisco
Iber, J. (2011). Latinos in U.S. Sport: A history of isolation, cultural identity, and acceptance. Human Kinetics.
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