Brief Commentary via HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - No doubt, promoter Top Rank Godfather Robert "Bob" Arum should top the list as the premier driving force behind the sport of boxing in this early 21st century. Even Don Jose Sulaiman knows that for sure. Sulaiman can't just compete the buster. Losing control of his own dictate to enforce mandatory rules upon fighters for the the World Boxing Council (WBC) which he presides, Sulaiman would have to call out Arum's senses once again.
Here's the beef: Arum dictates the agenda for his own fighters irrespective of what Sulaiman all wants. The "all-too protective" Arum would rather want the best of his own high-ranking fighters to stay on the top; Sulaiman does not but only makes sure WBC's image stays intact and its profitability keeps prompting.
Having said his purposes, Sulaiman rather wants to make sure WBC remains relevant in the lucrative fights, even to the point of creating "diamond belts", "titaniun belts", "Toys 'R US belts", if there are any, and sell them to promoters and fighters for competition. To Sulaiman's obsession, his blood boils up upon Arum's advances amounting to despicable, abnoxious and worthless remarks before microphones and media.
Of his wisdom and foresight, Arum has less reservations. He is a marketing genius in his own right. He believes only he and his marketing strategists know how to match up fighters at all-time calculated risks. No one can dictate the Cum Laude Harvard Law graduate. He knows how to IRAC for the welfare of his fighters whom he treasures most. He has all the cash cows, which Sulaiman all wants to be relevant with them especially in the midst of faulting economy.
When will this abate?
Arum, who promotes WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. and WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao, has reason to be protective of them both. Chavez, Jr., seen as less complete fighter, might just be an easy prey for the Argentenian ranger, Sergio Martinez. At the crossroads of boxing's history, the biggest one, Pacquiao versus WBC Welterweight titlist Floyd Mayweather Jr., might just be at the crux of Arum-Sulaiman's intimations, plus the interferences of free-agents jumping like hungry wolves upon potential investors of this potentially biggest fight of the century.
Yes, Arum and Sulaiman both are masters of IRAC. But, their grudge surely jeopardizes boxing and may continue to induce influx of bad match-ups.
And who are the true losers?
Yeah, it's the paying boxing public.
Meet me via Facebook: Granville Tolo-Hayag Vergara-Ampong
Comments