CAN/SHOULD BOXING BE SAVED?

Cards on the table: I grew up with boxing. My father was a professional boxer. He sponsored some boxers after his retirement from the game. It was always a thrill when he would take me with him to "Marigold" on fight night.

From the time I was eight until I joined the military, I could tell you who the top ranked ten fighters were in each weight class. I loved boxing. Of course, I loved it from a distance because I developed an instant distaste for being punched in the nose. Early on, baseball was my participation game and Boxing was my spectator sport (usually with my Dad).

Anyway, then Ali beat Liston and the Earth Moved. Boxing's Vegas days were born.

Now, something's missing. It's a sport populated at the high weights by Russians and run by thugs. There is no real television coverage. Nobody outside of New York and Las Vegas ever talks about it again. Medical Learning suggests boxing should no longer be a licensed profession (Of course, Ultimate Fighting is doing fine.).

Now we're hearing the easy Question "Can De La Hoya Save Boxing?". I think the better question is "Should Boxing be Saved?" I'm ambivalent. The sport I once loved may properly be a dinosaur.

Is that as it should be? What say you? I'm persuadable.