What’s next? Who’s next? Video or no video, spank or don’t spank. There doesn’t seem to be any end in sight to the finger pointing, the accusations, and disbelief in the sporting world. Football, baseball, cycling, track and field, politicians and on and on with offenses and misdeeds that bombard the public.
Boxing is no exception. Left and right our kids’ heroes tumble, leaving responsible parents outraged, and squirming when forced to explain away disturbing and embarrassing news. They, above all, know Innocent children need help in understanding why their hero is no longer worthy of their admiration.
No one disputes the importance of keeping our wide-eyed youth safeguarded and protected through their formative years. They need to be able to reach a reasonable level of maturity when they are emotionally equipped to better deal with the sins and disappointments of their elders. The media deprives parents of the ability to shield young ones from human transgressions and wrongdoing. The sad fact is there’s really nothing good that comes of children losing their innocence at an early age. There’s no greater sin, nothing more wicked than leading astray our impressionable young ones.
It’s a given they are easily led and trusting. They are unworldly, babes in the woods, wide eyed and eager to learn, eager to absorb life’s lessons. They want to be taught. They want adventure. To fill that need, they get pulled into the thrilling world of athletics, especially contact sports like football and boxing. There’s a special energy inherent in those sports, a characteristic and necessary element of violence. Fans love it, and cheer wildly when there’s a crunching tackle or picture perfect knockout. Fans, young and old, can’t get enough of it.
They’re willing to pay piles of moolah to watch their superstars and witness the mayhem. When the bottom feeders dig up some dirt, the collective media have no compunction about using it. The dirtier the better. They splash it all over modern day electronic networks. Initially, fans are shocked with disbelief. They grumble and hope there’s a way to excuse and forgive.
Then the pictures, videos, e-mails, and tweets surface. There’s no going back now, only apologies can be made. But, everyone knows that’s the easy part. Anyone can say they’re sorry. It means nothing, unless it’s accompanied by remorse. Other sports, football for example, have policies and codes of conduct to govern their options. When violations occur, penalties are levied. Even then, there are options available for appeal. Exceptions are made, usually with the highest paid. Sometimes teams even back off and say they will delay decisions until the “due process” plays out with authorities.
In the boxing world, too often there’s inaction or even coddling of stars. It’s fair to assert boxing’s state commissions play hide and seek when it comes to weighty issues. Too often, the public is aware of disreputable behavior, but the commissions remain strangely silent. They have the power to fine, suspend, deny or revoke licenses, but often they shirk their duties. As far as the public is concerned, as with most things in life, bad behavior is viewed differently. A picturesque quote I once read seems apropos with this polarizing issue. It goes something like……this issue is like steer horns, with a point here and a point there and a lot of bull in the middle.
The truth is, as in most cases involving professional sports, money is power. Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr. recently said, “I do what I want, when I want, and where I want!” He wasn’t kidding.