Prospect development fights are some of my least favorite in boxing. I just want to watch good fights. The problem is these prospects development fights are designed to be bad fights. Because their opponent is picked to lose. Im not naive, upsets happen and promoters try not to let the odds be TOO wide (sometimes) but you know the fight is designed for the prospect to win and “develop”.

It creates an effect where the prospect, with the full backing of the promoter and sucking off of the announcers, comes off to me as a symbol of Eddie Hearn or Bob Arum themself. I can’t help but nearly always root against them, the events feel unfair. Looking back, I feel like by far the most exiting time watching these overmatched fights are when upsets happen or I think an upset might happen.

And honestly I don’t think the kids gloves are even necessary. I think Shakur Stevenson could have beat Jamel Herring if somehow that fight was made 2 fights earlier. And that would have been exciting. Conor Benn could take Avanesyan now. I would love to see Ennis fight a champ already. And of course, the sooner we get rid of the “0” or nothing mentality the better imo.

And what I really do not understand is why people are okay with this. They put the managers cap on and say “so and so is being developed real well. Good matchmaking”. I’m not on Conor Benn’s payroll so why should I care? I’m a boxing fan not a bank account fan.