Fight game still loaded with talent, say promoters
By James Blears
JEJU, South Korea (Reuters) - The heavyweight division has lost much of its appeal but boxing is still loaded with "superstars" and entertaining fighters, officials at the World Boxing Council's convention said on Wednesday.
In a recent Reuters interview, former middleweight world champion Jake LaMotta lamented the lack of outstanding talent in the fight game compared to the glut of big name fighters when he won his title 60 years ago.
Boxing has also come under pressure due to the rise of Mixed Martial Arts, one of the world's fastest growing sports, which has emerged as a rival for pay per view revenues.
However, fight promoters and officials at the convention on the South Korean resort island of Jeju insisted boxing still provided exciting fights and said the sport had a bright future.
"Jake was a great fighter and he's entitled to his opinion," Art Pelullo, president of Banner Promotions, told Reuters.
"I believe the sport has changed over the last 50 years and we do have superstars today -- Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton when he beat Kostya Tszyu.
"Maybe there are different type of stars than there were 50 or 60 years ago, because the sport has evolved and the world has evolved."
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