Some boxing writers are now reluctantly giving the UFC credit for competition forcing a better product in the marketplace. That is, if you count back-handed compliments as "giving credit" and I do. Notable quote:
Promoter of the Year: There's a tongue-in-cheek temptation to give it to the mixed-martial arts chief, Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White. Without the UFC threat, boxing promoters would still be squabbling. But they fought back with some rare unity. That's why Oscar De La Hoya and Bob Arum should share this one. A great string of fights wouldn't have happened if they had not declared peace at midyear.
But you have to give credit where credit is due. Not to Bob Arum per se, but to "boxing" at large. There were some very respectable fights in 2007 and there's no reason to believe we won't see more mega fights in 2008 especially if Mayweather doesn't retire.
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