Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia's recent bout in Times Square left fans and boxing legends wanting more. The fight's cautious approach from both boxers sparked calls for rule changes in the sport.
Roy Jones Jr., a former boxing champion, expressed his disappointment with the fighters' performance. He said:
"It broke my heart. Because I know and I promise, at 56 years old, if you put me in Times Square, I'll give you a Times Square performance. It may not be, but four rounds or six rounds, but you guys don't get a Times Square performance. No matter how long I can hold out"
Jones Jr. compared the tactics used in the Haney-Garcia fight to those of boxing greats like Muhammad Ali. He pointed out:
"Even a great Muhammad Ali, he didn't run from George Foreman. He didn't run from Joe Frasier. He moved around a little bit to make them use their legs. He tired them out a little bit, but once he had them where he wanted them, he attacked. These guys don't understand that principle"
In response to the criticism, boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh proposed making the ring smaller for future fights he promotes. Alalshikh aims to prevent what he calls "Tom and Jerry" style boxing, where one fighter runs while the other chases.
Jones Jr. doesn't think a smaller ring will solve the problem. He argued:
"Not necessarily. I say that because if a guy wants to run, he's going to run in a 16-foot ring. So, if he wants to run, he's going to run with God. It doesn't matter how small the ring gets, he's going to run harder. Because if you're the best, you can't run away from a guy for 12 rounds, say, 'Oh, I'm the best. I beat him.'"
The debate continues as boxing insiders and fans look for ways to ensure more engaging fights in the future. While some push for rule changes, others argue that the solution lies in the fighters' approach to the sport.
