Pugilistic Piracy and Black Boxes

So Bob Arum, the most shamelessly opportunistic promoter in boxing history, is tired of being ripped off by piracy and people with black boxes. Excuse me? For the last five years, Arum has made a career out of cheating the public by matching mediocre fighters and sticking them on pay-per-view. (Anyone remember the Ray Mercer-Jesse Ferguson fiasco?)

Arum then goes on to cite the Azumah Nelson-Gabe Ruelas fight as an example of a bout that should have done better, never mind that Nelson was a has-been and Ruelas unproven. The fact is that neither man was a boxing superstar in the league of Ali, Frazier, Leonard and Hagler, ergo, neither man deserved the money pay-per-view would generate.

Wake up, Bob! Superfights and superstars will bring in the big PPV bucks, not the stale tripe you’ve been serving us. The public will not pay $20 or $30 for fights we used to get free.

DOUGLAS CAVANAUGH

Sherman Oaks

*

I can understand Arum’s desire to punish owners of illegal black boxes by showing the Chavez-De La Hoya fight on closed-circuit only. But he should realize that those of us who are used to paying for these fights to watch in the comfort of our homes are also being punished.

The last fight I saw on closed-circuit was Ali vs. Quarry at the Forum. My fond memories of that fight include all the fights among the drunken audience, the smoke-rich environment and all the DUIs I saw on the way home. No thanks, Mr. Arum. If this is the way future big fights will be shown, maybe I can learn to like soccer.

FRANK RODRIGUEZ

La Puente