That's what I don't get. These freak shows would seem indicate a further sign of a massive decline but boxing industry seems healthiest it has been since the '90s
Although I suppose you could come up with a galaxy brained argument that boxing industry is doing so well that these old dogs are able to make millions farting around in exhibitions instead of being discarded to the dung heaps of pugilistic history like past retired fighters.
The 90s is a good analogy for this. That was such a great (and still underrated) era for boxing. I agree that, if a few more of the dream fights get put together over the next couple years, this era could be comparable.
But even during that 1990s heyday there was still a similar carnival sideshow thing that developed. Started with the Holyfield-Foreman fight. People worried about George going into that fight. It ended up being a better fight than expected and a ppv bonanza. Then Larry Holmes followed Foreman (and somehow beat Ray Mercer) to get a couple title shots. By the end of the decade there were old timer ppv cards with Bonecrusher Smith, Juan Laporte, etc.
Christy Martin, Butterbean, Mia St John, etc. The best example of this is the 1999 ppv headlined by Paulie Ayala vs Johnny Tapia. That ended up the fight of the year. Couple title fights on the undercard. But also St John and a fight straight out 2021: Butterbean vs Peter McNeely.
I think a big part of boxing's success in the 90s (HBO, Showtime, ppv) was that circus aspect. People watched to see what happened just as muc as the fights, which included some of the best ever. Fan Man, Tyson's shenanigans of the month, so many crazy things.
But, yeah, it doesn't upset me. I just don't get it. Or after this rambling post, maybe I do. And I was talking more about the public at large or whatever, not any posters here.