The Ray Mancini Story

[FightNight 2007]

I saw it on ESPN classic last night, very sad story.

[ferocity]

Actually, pressure to reduce the number of rounds have been put to bear on boxing in general by the medical organizations and other do-gooders years before the Mancini-Kim fight.

About two years earlier, in 1980, Johnny Owens died soon after facing Guadalupe Pintor and the same cry was heard, but not one as loud as the one heard after the Kim fight, in part, because Owens' death did not quite have the drama and television coverage that the Kim death had.

Yes, there was talk at the time about the reduction having been a result of TV time pressure, but that has been no more than just talk, as far as I can recall. The direct catalyst to the 12 round fight has close to always been referred to as the Mancini-Kim fight.

ABC's Wide World Of Sports at the time had no trouble covering 15 round fights, and gained hefty ratings. And ratings are what TV moguls have their eyes glued to, not really time.

Back then, TV time was not as precious as it is now. The Olympic games were covered for days... Unlike today when one only sees snippets and highlights. And boxing was everywhere. Gillete (the razor blade brand) had regular programs and there were ones that came from various points broadcast at varying directions and scope.

You mention about TV's reported attemt to award a "bogus belt". As far as I can recall, I think it was NBC that made a threat to stage its own championships, but that threat was in disgust over the rankings of fighters which resulted in TV's having to carry alphabet organization championships that were actually mismatches.

Sugar RAy Leonard, the public and fight persona of that time, was a product of a TV-and-site contract which he and his management team controlled. Ray had a TV fight contract and he contracted sites on percentage basis for his early fights (following the Montreal gold). TV covered Ray's 15 round fights, no problem. If the product was good, TV did not complain how long it stayed on the air.

But with all that said, I think the adjustment to 12 rounds could not have been anything that would have raised TV's hackels. It was convenient.

Thanks man. Great insight.

[jayfelice]

I'm surprised I can't find this on the internet. I can't find it on torrents or rapidshare. Pisses me off because it sounds intresting and I wanted to watch it

[FightNight 2007]

I'm surprised I can't find this on the internet. I can't find it on torrents or rapidshare. Pisses me off because it sounds intresting and I wanted to watch it

check local listings, espn

[jayfelice]

check local listings, espn

I don't own a vcr or anything to record it with.

[FightNight 2007]

I don't own a vcr or anything to record it with.

watch it when it airs......

[grayfist]

Thanks man. Great insight.

Anytime, my man.

Thanks for thinking well of my take.