It is an interesting article from Anani - alhtough it does have a fair degree of self interest and some contradicions by and large it is a very compassionate piece.

However - as for Lucia having to accept the challenge when she can get a million dollar payday for fighting Martin, come on why would you? To be honest the blame lies not with the fighters but the sanctioning bodies for not putting the fight together.

At the end of the day professional fighting is about earning money - you put your put on the line year after year, fight after fight and only a few get a glimmer of earning a decent pay day. Pro Boxing is a business, take the money honey you've earned it.

As regards avoiding a particualr fighter, if its going to jepordise a million dollar purse I would too. Look at history, Rolling out Old Jack Johnson vs Tunney (I think), Ali denied Holmes his chance for quite a few years, Lennox Lewis had to bide his time, do you see Jab and Grab Ruiz giving Tua a shot at his title anytime soon? Sugar Ray vs Hagler, Sugar vs Hearns rematch. The sport does have a strong degree of honour but at the top end lets face it its show me the money...

Another point is if Riker breaks the million dollar barrier with Martin then she has done a service for the sport - a little like the 4 minute mile, once its been done once then a precedent has been set and Anani and other fighters will surely benefit further down the track.

Cheers Dan