CONTEXT: A GIG-ECONOMY
Boxing operates in a unique economic realm reminiscent of modern gig platforms like Uber and Lyft. Boxers are compensated per bout instead of steady salaries, necessitating individual contracts for each fight. This structure diverges significantly from mainstream sports, which usually operate under the umbrella of a centralized organization.
The demographic landscape of boxing presents pressing concerns. A significant portion of the boxing community stems from marginalized backgrounds, notably black and brown communities. There exists an imbalance in power and profits, where predominantly white promoters and managers can disproportionately benefit from the labor of these fighters, hinting at underlying systemic inequalities.
While a select elite in boxing might command staggering sums for their bouts, it's a misconception to assume universal affluence. The majority witness a considerable fraction of their earnings redirected to promoters, managers, and other operational facets. Consequently, many find themselves juggling additional employment to ensure financial stability.
Promotional entities wield considerable influence within the boxing industry. Heavyweight promotion companies such as Top Rank Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions, and Matchroom Promotions are household names. However, there are instances of shady practices and potential corruption beneath the surface, especially in lower-tier professional boxing. The regulatory oversight in some jurisdictions is insufficient, providing these entities a loophole to engage in dubious activities.
Corruption has also found its way into the very heart of the sport. Instances of biased judgments influenced by external pressures have come to light. Ambiguous contract stipulations can unduly favor promoters, and the absence of a cohesive rating system means that promotional narratives, rather than genuine skill, might dictate a boxer's trajectory. While boxing remains a beloved spectacle for its audience, it's crucial to recognize and address its systemic issues, ensuring fairness and equity for its athletes.
UNIONINZING BOXING
Despite its global appeal, professional boxing remains the only major sport without a union. In contrast, sports like basketball, baseball, football, and hockey have established organizations representing their athletes. Players in renowned leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB enjoy the advantages of collective bargaining. This mechanism empowers them to negotiate improved contracts, superior wages, and benefits that extend beyond their playing days.
In contrast, professional boxers are left in a vulnerable position. Unlike their other sports counterparts, active and retired boxers often lack essential benefits, including guaranteed healthcare. This omission is particularly concerning, given the severe physical risks boxers face, including potential lifelong brain injuries. A deep dive into the structure of boxing reveals a hyper-capitalistic approach that often exploits fighters, many of whom hail from society's most marginalized segments. The allure of boxing, as pointed out by Mondragon, is rooted in its potential as a socioeconomic escalator, promising fighters a shot at significant earnings. The Joint Association of Boxers (JAB) was founded to recognize the inherent challenges in boxing's structure. Spearheaded by Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, a former light heavyweight champion, JAB was established to protect boxers' rights and interests. Primarily run by professionals who've been inside the ring, JAB's foundation marked a pivotal moment in the sport's history, reflecting the pressing need for organized representation. Muhammad succinctly captures JAB's vision: "Our goal is to negotiate with boxing promoters to ensure boxers get the dignity, security, and protection they need and deserve — inside and outside the ring, during and after their active careers."
JAB has laid out a clear roadmap of objectives:
1. Uphold the rights of boxers and maintain transparency in finances, as mandated by the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.
2. Set the highest safety standards for all bouts.
3. Implement health and pension benefit plans tailored for boxers.
4. Establish a baseline salary structure.
5. Guarantee a fair division of fight proceeds between the boxers and promoters.
6. Facilitate boxers' transition to alternative careers post-retirement.
In addition to these ambitious goals, JAB also shoulders the responsibility of enforcing the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, ensuring that the rights and interests of boxers are always upheld. In sum, as boxing continues to captivate audiences worldwide, it's essential that the fighters, the true heart of the sport, are accorded the rights, benefits, and respect they richly deserve. JAB represents a significant step in that direction.
REFERENCES
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.
Goodreads. (2021, May 25). Damage: The untold story of brain trauma in boxing by Tris Dixon. Goodreads. Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58159408-damage
Mondragon, R. M. (n.d.). Sporting Representation of El Salvador’s First World Champion: El Famoso and his Boxing Robe as Material Culture. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
Professional Fighters Form Union Joint Association of Boxers (JAB) to seek affiliation with Teamsters Union. Boxing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://www.boxing247.com/news/jab0805.php
About jab. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://boxersunion.org/about.html
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