"MONEY FIGHT" IS A THING OF THE PAST SAY WBF PRESIDENT

THE PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
BY HOWARD GOLDBERG
World Boxing Federation (WBF) President

The circus has come and gone. The “Money Fight” is a thing of the past. 40-year-old Floyd has moved to 50-0, beating, possibly having toyed with, a debutant in Conor McGregor while praising the former unemployed plumber as a tough competitor.
What amazes me is that people bought into this nonsense from day one, turning it into the biggest money event of all time.
Should I give credit to Floyd and Conor? Indeed I should – two of the craftiest businessmen in the world today. Who else could make a real mockery of boxing into a payday of $400m and $100m respectively? Here is the truth: In a boxing ring with boxing rules, Floyd could knock out McGregor when he feels like it.
Similarly in a cage and under MMA rules, McGregor annihilates Floyd whenever he feels like it. Boxing and MMA are completely different disciplines with different skills and different strategies. The fight was a farce in reality with the only beneficiaries being Floyd, Conor and, of course, Las Vegas.
Another farce was one of the sanctioning bodies deciding that the fight was worthy of a belt, which according to a German tabloid looked – bling, bling – like a brothel door. Well, for my taste, I don’t need to impose myself in front of every camera and prefer to stick to the WBF’s motto “No fantasy titles with fantasy names”, because the World Boxing Federation is not about making a mockery of boxing.
So off into the sunset rides the Money Man, now officially retired. Perhaps a fight between Floyd and Cristiano Ronaldo for $500m is a possibility. Someone will surely create a belt for it, too. But, at least for now, the circus is over.
Let the boxing fraternity return to sanity with real boxing. Let us respect MMA within its doors, and let’s respect the greatest sport on earth – boxing! Boxing deserves respect, Floyd. Contrary to what you believe, the sport is and always will be bigger than you!
Until next time, keep boxing.