If ever you needed proof that boxing has been pushed off the A-list as a sport by local television broadcasters, as well as those in control of it, just take note of the fact that the biggest bout to feature a South African boxer in more than 25 years, will not be seen live by more than 99% of the population.
Imagine Bafana Bafana or the Springboks playing in a World Cup final and the game is not broadcast live on any of the channels in the country.
For the first time since Gerrie Coetzee dethroned Michael Dokes to win the World Boxing Association heavyweight world title in the early Nineties, we have a credible heavyweight who is capable of being crowned the best in the division.
The late legendary trainer Allan Toweel once said: ‘The boxing heavyweight champion of the world is the number one sportsman in the world. If you’re the heavyweight champion of the world, everybody knows your name.â€
This still rings true, but to the shame of the sport and those who have allowed it to become the personal fiefdom of a few who are only in the game to fill their pockets, the fans are no longer a factor.
When Corrie Sanders enters the ring against Vitali Klitschko on April 24 in Los Angeles in a bid to claim the most prestigious and coveted of all heavyweight crowns, he will not be doing it under the watchful eyes of his supporters.
The World Boxing Council heavyweight world title bout will be screened live in South Africa only on closed-circuit television at the Sun City Superbowl.
This is a disgrace and an insult to boxing lovers across the nation. An event of this magnitude is of national interest and a victory by Sanders could have a tremendous influence on the spirit of the country, as well as on a whole new generation of prospective boxers.
It is time the controlling bodies or the minister of sport stepped in and reclaimed boxing for the people.
The majority of the nation has been denied for too long. Great boxers such as Vuyani Bungu, Mbulelo Botile and Phillip Holiday, to name a few, fought the majority of their careers in front of an exclusive audience and as a result never enjoyed as much acclaim and celebrity status as they deserved.
This has also been a major contributing factor towards the gradual demise of the sport. Without fans, there are no sponsors. Let the various broadcasters keep their irrelevant no-name brand world title fights against the who isn’ts of world boxing, but when it’s the real deal it belongs to all.
As in other big sporting events of national interest, television broadcaster rivalry should be put aside in the interest of our democratic nation.
Why are boxing fans so disrespected? Corrie Sanders will be representing South Africa and South Africa has a right to witness this historic encounter.