Thursday, March 03, 2011

Doug Fischer and Golden Boy

Ring Magazine writer Doug Fischer becomes very angry when you question his objectivity about Golden Boy Promotions. The Ring, boxing's preeminent publication, is owned by Golden Boy. There's no doubt that a it's a conflict of interest. To argue otherwise is ludicrous.

But, this isn't a matter of national security; it's boxing. Many pro sports teams own their own networks that hire the announcers who cover the team. The Nats fired announcer Rob Dibble last summer after he merely criticized pitcher Stephen Strasburg for not pitching through an injury (Strasburg needed Tommy John surgery and Dibble was generally incompetent, but that's beside the point).

I always took Fischer at his word that his reporting was influenced by literally being on Golden Boy's payroll. But a recent comment changed my perception. In the comment section of this weekend's preview, someone named Migs Arte wrote at 1:04 pm, "Golden Boy Promotion suck monkey nuts."

Now, most people would just ignore the comment as an inarticulate vent from someone with an unexplained disdain for Golden Boy Promotions. Not Doug Fischer. For some reason, he took it personal. Ten minutes later Fischer commented, "Kiss my ass, Migs." Very professional.

You have to ask, why would a boxing writer take a diss directed at a promotional company as a personal insult? It is odd.

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