- by James
“Ricky” Coward. In the business of Professional Sports, when to athletes are asked
why they do what they do, normally respond, “Because it’s my life”, and some
would say “it’s the draw of the money”.
The sport and
business of professional boxing is no different, and for a select few, the
financial benefits can be enormous. But for most, the road to making the kind
of money the so called “Elite” fighters in the game earn is a long and
sometimes never ending journey.
Getting to the top
In the
business of “Prize Fighting” distinguishing one’s self as an “Elite” athlete or
an extremely talented athlete is not always enough. For some even the journey
to winning a world title, a dream of most professional fighters, will not be
enough to take the pugilist to the “Treasure and Riches” at the end of the
rainbow.
Boxing as a Business
If a
fighter is world champion under a major sanctioning body (WBC,WBO,IBF,WBA),
doesn’t that entitle him to the “Big Money” fights; because they have battled
their way to the top of their respective division. In some cases that is
exactly what happens, in fact for some, getting the shot at the title has more
to do with who they know and are they are signed with, than weather they
deserve it.
Nate Campbell the fighter
For the
former unified lightweight champion of the world Nate Campbell, the journey to
a world title has been navigated on a challenging road. He started boxing later
than most at age 27, a late bloomer in the sport, but for Campbell age has in
his own words, made him, “Stronger faster and many times smarter” in the ring.
A Champ with style
He carries
a “Swagger” that eludes confidence, not arrogance, understanding that many in
the “Hurt Business” talk the talk, but he has by his successes in the ring
“Walked the Walk”. Winning a world title when you know that many observers felt
he didn’t have a chance to, against a younger, talented, reigning world
champion, and doing so with true boxing style and class.
Silencing his critics
Campbell silenced his critics when he won
the unified lightweight titles, and even after being stripped of them for not
making weight for his last outing, he silenced the critics again, against a
younger, talented and game opponent. Campbell has moved up to the junior
welterweight division to campaign not just for a title, but a shot at making
the money he deserves to make as a world class fighter in that division. So
when is it going to happen? He is a bigger name in that division than most of
the people who hold titles there. So, when does Nate Campbell get his just due?
Soon I hope, because at age 37, he’s not getting any younger, but make no
mistake when the stage is set,
Campbell
always brings the fight.
Its up to promoters to
make it happen
The matter
of age seems to make little difference inside the square ring, where
Campbell has proven time
and again, he can dance with the best of them. So, Promotors, Match Makers,
lets give this “Veteran Ring Warrior” his chance at earning his “Treasure and
Riches” at the end of the rainbow. He will fight for it, he deserves it, you
know it, true boxing fans know it, and deserve to see it. Promoters, the rest
is on you.
Nate is a fighter whom has been around the block. He is a no nonesense kind of fighter who get's straight to the point while he is in the ring.I admire those fighter's who have a plan & stick to it. He is trained by John David Jackson former jr. middleweight champion who know's boxing. Nate is a knockout puncher even on the elite level so yes, he will receive another title fight soon. If not this year than early 2010 he'll get his chance. He is one of my favorite fighter's to watch. Love how he know's his limitation's as he get's older & does it all for his family. I respect that very much.Also i see him bringing his power up to the jr. welterweight division. Maybe he ought to face a tune up fight first than go after the belt.Either way he give's anybody a hard time in that weight class.
Parviz Abdullayev of Azerbaijan (R) avoids a kick by Tomasz Mordarski of Poland during their semi-final bout in the low-kick 71kg kickboxing competition at the Combat Games in Beijing September 3, 2010. The Combat Games are being held until September 4, with around 1600 athletes from 60 countries competing in 13 sports. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: SPORT BOXING)
