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Impact Boxing Proposes Veterans Boxing
League For Comebacking Legends
Over the next few weeks the sport of boxing will finally
resume after a lengthy hiatus caused by the covid-19
pandemic.
While the action in the ring was on hold, there still was
plenty going on outside of the ring. Former undisputed
heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson was trending after
setting the social media world fire after posting a short
training video clip.
Whispers of a comeback by Tyson ensued and he fueled the
fire more by stating that he would like to comeback to the
ring in a series of exhibition bouts to raise money for
charity.
Tyson's announcement set off a chain reaction, as he
inspired several other legendary names in the combat sports
world to throw their names in the mix. Long time Tyson rival
Evander Holyfield, James Toney and MMA legends such as
Wanderlei Silva and Tito Ortiz were among the fighters to
state their interest in fighting the youngest heavyweight in
the history of boxing.
However, the interest in comebacks isn't limited to only
heavyweight fighters. A former Mexican superstar has reached
out to Impact Boxing to gauge their interest in potentially
televising his comeback fight.
Impact Boxing is a newcomer to the sport, having joined the
boxing world earlier this year and is interested in helping
retired fighters continue to earn money to support their
families but only if it can be done in a safe manner.
In similar fashion to senior leagues in professional golf
and tennis, Impact Boxing would only be interested in
televising these "legends" fights if strict rules are
adhered to for each bout.
Impact Boxing would like to propose the potential creation
of a veteran's league that would allow former ring idols to
return against their colleagues with modified rules. These
rules are outlined below:
VETERAN BOXING LEAGUE
The Veteran Boxing League (the “VBL”) is a proposed
specialty boxing league specifically established for former
professional boxers from ages 45-60 years. The VBL would
follow traditional boxing weight classes and work with
established sanctioning bodies to establish a ranking system
and championship structure for each weight class.
The VBL would hold events and mini-tournaments featuring a
“who’s who” of retired professional boxers that would allow
these retired pros to come out of retirement and recapture
their former glory in the ring. The VBL would provide a high
level of competition for former fighters in a setting that
allows for competition and safety.
VBL Fight Structure:
No more than 6 rounds per bout
2 minute rounds
90 second breaks between rounds instead of the usual 1
minute for professional fights in order to allow proper
recovery time and also additional medical supervision from
ringside doctors between rounds
Fighters would use 12 oz. gloves at the heavier weight
classes and 10 oz. gloves at the lighter weight classes
Stringent medical requirements pre-bout to ensure physical
fitness to compete in VBL
All other aspects of the fights to be governed by the ABC
rules
Tournaments may be held with seeding established based on
fighter’s prior professional success, alternatively fighters
could be ranked in conjunction with an established
sanctioning body
Steve Marcano of SMM Boxing believes that the VBL will
provide a high level of competition for former fighters that
still desire to fight in a setting that allows for
competition and safety. "This structure will allow retired
fighters to compete against each other and avoid mismatches
where retired fighters are fighting boxers who are much
younger than them, which increases the potential risk of
injury and is something that no one wants to see," he
stated.
According to Marcano, Impact is in discussions to hold its
first VBL event with a main event featuring 2 boxing hall of
famers as soon as regulations preventing fans from attending
events are lifted.
"As soon as we are up and running we are expecting to get
this new platform off the ground in conjunction with
Impact’s regular boxing programming,” Marcano revealed.
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