World Boxing Super Series competition is on the verge of a return. So why not give those older fighters yearning for an exhibition the opportunity.
WBN believes a WBSS tournament should happen for boxing legends who want to compete in exhibitions.
Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Tyson, and Ricky Hatton have all expressed interest in or competed of late. This fact alone has opened the door to a mass wave of boxing comebacks.
Former champions far and wide in every major weight division are open to offers to return on streaming apps and other platforms.
It’s a situation met with considerable excitement from the fans.
Plenty of former champions still have the pulling power to sell tickets and PPVs. However, a competitive twelve rounder against some of the prime fighters in their division is well behind most former fighters. No matter how good they were.
So why not give them a tournament format that they can perform on?
The World Boxing Super Series has already been in place for some time. It seems an ideal competition for a new exhibition event.
This way, we get to see some of boxing’s most outstanding ever performers. At the same time, they can once again feel the admiration and adrenalin rush of lacing up the gloves for a meaningful fight.
Tyson vs. Jones over eight rounds was the blueprint. 8×3 minute rounds for a category between 40 and 50, potentially six rounds for those over 50, would be more suited to the elder statesmen.
Added stipulations on the age range for those who retired for three years or more before entering any tournament.
A cut-off point of 40 years of age also seems fair with that over 50s category to be labeled a Masters event.
MASTERS
Something else to consider would be staging two events on the same night—a 40 to 50 and a Masters running alongside each other.
Between four and eight bouts in one evening featuring the cream of eras gone by, alongside concert-worthy entertainment, would indeed have the supporters scrambling for tickets.
The show will undoubtedly be Pay Per View viable if including the right names. It is also giving the participants a substantial paycheck in retirement.
Concentration focuses on the main weight divisions: lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight.
Potentially, with an invitation to extend a welcome back to any winners to defend their crown yearly.
To give legends that incentive of one or two short battles per year could help hundreds of boxers who struggle to deal with retirement.
Imagine Oscar De La Hoya v Ricky Hatton in a shorter format at middleweight or a Masters fight featuring Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko?
WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES LEGENDS
There are endless possibilities. It would mean any fighter’s career wouldn’t be over for good when his professional days have ended.
As we know, keeping the boxers safe would be paramount.
Head-guard use and robust safety procedures would need consideration to rule out liability. Tightened measures to help get this off the ground.
Old grudge matches like Joe Calzaghe vs. Carl Froch, Tyson vs. Lewis, and even Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao could return to the menu with medical precautions in place.
Hopefully, the WBSS will give it some thought due to the current climate. There is a demand for the older guard.
Furthermore, seeing those legends who have kept themselves sharp and in shape in a tournament format would a dream for many.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Twitter @WorldBoxingNews.
