I always expected professional boxing would go the same way as professional wrestling, but professional cricket leading the way for professional tennis..?

I don’t think anyone saw that one coming.

Take last year’s boxing title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury for example: seemingly fans were weary of fixed matches that are over in the first round; instead they fixed a match to run the full twelve rounds…

Then there’s the IPL cricket which, as we all should know, panders primarily to the high rolling gamblers; whoever can afford the fee no doubt wins the outcome.

…Fury won that bout to take the world title from Klitschko; odd, given that Fury’s not even a world class boxer. Admittedly though his unabashed arrogance, oblivious idiocy and shameless stupidity are much more of a media spectacle than Klitschko and his sullen demeanour ever could be, so one can almost understand why he made it to the top.

Motorsport too is becoming less controlled by chance and more by the desires of team bosses; professional cycling has been crooked now for some time.

Now it’s been revealed that the top tennis matches are rigged as well. Honestly I don’t think it makes a difference; sure the ‘human’ factor is largely removed but ultimately, somebody still wins and somebody still loses.

You want legitimate competition, stick with grass roots.

Article by Tim Walker

Edited by Vicks T Mitch

Photography by Mia Dia Fodder