Boxing icon Michael Buffer blasts ring ‘disgrace’ in Tim Tszyu win

A boxing icon has called out a damning issue that’s plaguing the sport and causing serious issues for those sitting near the ring.

Wild that there’s now obstructed seating in the expensive seats. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Tim Tszyu delivered a boxing masterclass in his demolition job against Carlos Ocampo on Sunday, securing the win in only 72-seconds.

The absurd showing from the interim WBO super welterweight champ put the world on notice, sending a powerful message to undisputed champion Jermell Charlo.

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But as the boxing community marvelled at the dominant Aussie, one boxing icon couldn’t help but fume over a glaring issue that’s plaguing the sport.

Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer took to social media to vent over one aspect of the sport he says is a “disgrace”.

“Young Tszyu is looking like prime Dad Tszyu! By the way, the thickness in the ring ropes is getting out of hand. it’s been ridiculous for years but this event is just a disgrace to the fans (view) in their seats and even for the judges at ringside!,” he wrote.

It’s not hard to see why Buffer is furious, the ring ropes for Tszyu’s fight wouldn’t have looked out of place on a footy field as goalposts.

Compare these two images; one from the weekend with one from eight years ago when Floyd Mayweather fought Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

The difference between the two is stark and shows boxing has sold its integrity to capitalise on advertising space.

Minimal gap between the ropes. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

So much room to view the fight. (Photo by Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images)

In a day and age when seemingly every big fight is decided by a questionable judges scorecards, the obscured view at least gives some leeway to the three judges.

How is any individual meant to adequately judge a fight when the majority of your view is obscured by multiple giant padded ropes.

But as Buffer also touched on, how is any fan sitting close to the ring meant to enjoy a fight when you can barely see the fighters in the ring.

Tickets to sit up close to the action cost more than most people can afford and yet they’re now offering up no advantage, other than a good Instagram post to flaunt your status.

No danger of falling through the ropes. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Tszyu’s display sets up a mouth-watering showdown with undisputed superwelterweight champion Charlo.

Charlo might have fancied his chances when Tszyu was knocked down by Terrell Gausha en route to victory in first fight on American soil last year.

But 18 months on, it will be a different Tim Tszyu that will take on Charlo in a blockbuster fight set to be held in Las Vegas in September.

Former world champion Shawn Porter said Tszyu now has serious momentum behind him and should be considered the favourite against Charlo.

“This is a big problem for Charlo. Look at all this momentum on the side of Tim Tszyu,” Porter said on the Main Event broadcast.

“Tim Tszyu has so much to talk about when they go to a press conference, or they go to this and that – Charlo has to keep his mouth shut, because Charlo hasn’t been busy. What can he talk c**p about? Nothing.

“Guess what – everything’s on Tim’s side to win this fight. I even guarantee that even from a standpoint of bookies, if bookies don’t put Tim as the favourite, they’re just favouring Charlo. “Tim Tszyu is now the favourite to win and become undisputed.”