Why is Boxing Slowly Dying? And Can it Be Saved?

In the first half of the 20th Century there were 3 "Major" sports: baseball, horse racing, and boxing. Horse racing and boxing are slowing dying, and boxing, more than horse racing, has done it to itself. Last century, the most prestigious individual sports title -- as well as the most famous athlete -- was usually the heavyweight boxing champion. Quick -- name the current heavyweight champion. OK, as most of you know, there has not been only one heavyweight champion on a consistent basis for 30 years, but that is the point. Do the names Ruslan Chagaev (from Uzbekistan, WBA), Samuel Peter (Nigerian, WBC), and Wladimir Klitschko (Ukrainian, IBF & WBO) ring a bell (no pun intended)?

There used to be 8 World UFABoxing -- ya know, 8 weight classes -- 8 World Champions. Makes sense. Everyone knew the heavyweight champion, sports fans could also name the middleweight champion, and serious boxing fans could name all 8 World Champions. Now there are 17 weight classes and 4 organizations for a possible 68 World Champions. There is close to that number of World Champions at any given time and most of the "Champions" in the same weight class have never fought each other. Sounds like a brilliant way to run a sport. Now, admittedly, you do not have to be smart to be a boxer, but do the people running the sport have to be that dumb?

There are numerous stars in each of the other sports who are well known, especially in American Football, MLB, basketball, and soccer/football (either worldwide or in the country where that athlete plays). The difference is that these athletes compete on a regular basis AND do it in front of large crowds AND huge non-paying television audiences. The fans have lots of opportunities to become familiar with them -- through the sporting events and the constant media coverage of these events. Boxers do not compete often enough to develop 68 stars. There are a lot of reasons that boxing is dying, however, having numerous "fake champions" that no one ever has heard of -- is the number one reason. It is clear as day (even Mike Tyson -- perhaps with Leon Spinks's help -- could figure it out) and for the last 30 years no one has done anything about it.