Deon Potgieter boxing With the current proliferation of world- title-sanctioning bodies, fight fans are often left in the dark as to who the “real” world champions are. Added to the equation is wide-ranging evidence of corruption and favouritism in those selfsame bodies. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however. The boxing task force of the National Association of Attorneys General in the United States, chaired by New York state attorney General Eliot Spitzer, recently released a 60-page report on boxing reform. The principal recommendation is the establishment of a boxing writers’ ranking’s poll (BWRP). Seth Abraham, president of Time Warner Sports, told the New York Post that American television giants HBO and Time Warner would enthusiastically support an impartial blue- ribbon panel of writers and historians. Such an independent panel has been established and has grown to 81 writers worldwide since its inception. Countries represented thus far are the US, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and South Africa. Myself and Phil Nyamane of The Star are thus far the only local writers on the panel, although it’s hoped that others will come to the fore. Howard Sirota, chair of Boxingranks.com, the organisation that initiated the establishment of the panel, stated after the recent July rankings were released: “The boxing writers’ ranking’s poll is consolidating its position as the leading independent ranking system in boxing. We are pleased and gratified that so many distinguished writers have embraced this effort. A secret ballot of knowledgeable boxing writers who do not profit from the outcome can produce the most unbiased, honest, fair, informed and reliable set of rankings in the world.” Lou Gordon, president of Boxingranks.com, added: “We agree with General Spitzer and have created an Internet-driven journalist- based rankings system that should be adopted by everyone interested in cleaning up boxing.” The Association of Boxing Commissions met in Denver from July 15 to 19. It is hoped the BWRP will be taken into consideration as the most fairly compiled ranking system currently available. An added bonus of the BWRP is that it enables writers from across the globe to share information about activities and boxers in their regions, thereby ensuring a more informed opinion base than ever before. South African fighters who have made it into the top 10 BWRP rankings are: Zolani Petelo (best straw-weight in the world); Mbulelo Botile (number nine featherweight); Lehlo Ledwaba (number two junior featherweight); Hawk Makepula (number seven junior flyweight); and Baby Jake Matlala (number nine junior flyweight). Namibian Harry Simon comes in as the fourth-ranked junior middleweight. Numerous others are listed in the top 20. The adoption of an independent ranking system by all of those concerned could restore some of the sport’s fading credibility.