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Why have fixed fights and manipulated rankings caused controversy in professional boxing?

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Floyd Mayweather Jr., wearing black and gold trunks, lands a left punch on Manny Pacquiao, in yellow trunks, during their welterweight title fight in a boxing ring. — boxing Manny Pacquiao (right) and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., in their 2015 welterweight bout; Mayweather won in a unanimous decision.

Fixed fights and manipulated rankings have long undermined the integrity of professional boxing, creating significant controversy due to their association with organized crime and systemic corruption.1

Fixed Fights

Historically, gambling syndicates have influenced the sport by pressuring boxers to "throw" matches—deliberately losing to manipulate betting outcomes. This practice has been documented throughout the 20th century, with notable fighters sometimes operating under the control of crime syndicates to secure title opportunities.1

Manipulated Rankings

In modern professional boxing, the manipulation of fighter ratings is a pervasive issue. Because a boxer’s ranking determines their eligibility for lucrative world championship bouts, it directly impacts their earning potential. Controversy arises because major organizations—such as the World Boxing Council, the World Boxing Association, and the International Boxing Federation—have faced widespread accusations of favoring fighters associated with specific promoters. This corruption has been confirmed in legal instances, including admissions of bribery to secure favorable rankings.1

These issues are exacerbated by the lack of a single, universally recognized governing body, which makes it difficult to enforce regulations or prevent promoters from exploiting the system across different jurisdictions.2