Jackie Cullen is a pioneer in boxing, and this year the famous match manager will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Cullen famously led James Toney to a world title. This journey began in 1988 and the mission was completed in May 1991 when Tony defeated Michael Nunn to win the IBF middleweight world title. In modern times, it seems almost impossible to move a fighter plane this fast without an Olympic medal.
Karen reflects on how boxing has changed since then.
“The Big Four of the 80s and the James Toney era of the 90s – I don't think we'll ever see that again,” Karen said. “Times are different. Today's fighters don't want to fight anyone.”
Modern fighters value undefeated records more than ever. The same goes for promoters. For better or worse, battles between the biggest names in sports only happen when there's enough money at stake. What happens is a long period of preparation for a good match, followed by that dreaded word for match fans: marinating.
“Everyone wants to protect their victory,” Karen continued. “Nobody wants to put themselves in that position when somebody's zero is told they have to go. It's inflated, so we can say we're undefeated.”
Now let's take into account the divisive nature of the sport. Boxing used to have many distribution channels. Now even more accessible. Boxing is currently available on ESPN (and ESPN+), DAZN, Amazon Prime, ProBox TV, and other streaming outlets. ESPN is the final frontier for fans stepping into a boxing match.
“There have been fewer fights,” Karen continued. “Obviously, we don't have Showtime anymore, we don't have HBO, we don't have ABC Wide World of Sports anymore. There are very few places where you can watch it across the board on free TV. You have to subscribe, you have to do a live stream. It's hard to develop fighters outside of the boxing world and get them nationally known. It's much, much harder.”
Boxing doesn't seem to be as important as it once was.
If there are fewer game days, there will be fewer opportunities to play. The role of promoters has never been more important. Every fighter needs an investor. The race to the top is more competitive than ever.
“You have to sign a deal with a promoter, because if you don't have a promoter, you have to make phone calls to get cards,” Cullen said. “If the promoters are not interested in you financially, why would they want to take you to their city, put you on the card and give you a win? [you are] Not their fighters. Therefore, each promoter has their own stable and uses their own fighters. Therefore, in order to get the number of fights you want per year, you either need to appear as an opponent or sign a contract with a specific promoter. ”
Boxing once allowed fighters to stay active and take risks early in their careers. Right now, the sport seems intent on placing fighters with spotty records, for better or worse, in premature gatekeeper positions. Business has changed.
“If you want to stay active in any business, you have to grow with change,” Karen reflected. “So I'm just adjusting to the new boxing scene.”
Karen is still getting by. She led junior welterweight Miquan Williams to the biggest win of his career in January when Williams stopped Luis Feliciano in six rounds in a main event bout on Probox TV.
