“No More Tom and Jerry Fights” – Why Riyadh Season Could Force Boxing to Evolve

The sport of boxing has long struggled with one persistent issue: the lack of fresh names being built into stars. As one industry insider pointed out during a recent interview, “you hear about the same guys,” and unfortunately, many of those stars are now aging out of their prime.

The problem isn’t just the fighters—it’s the system. Promoters often opt for the path of least resistance, matching their prospects in easy bouts just to rack up wins. By the time these fighters finally get tested, they’re often already in their 30s—past the point of real development. And when they do get their shot, they’re either not ready, or they get steamrolled.

But change is coming.

According to the speaker, the direction of The Ring and Riyadh Season is about to force a much-needed shift. Fighters will no longer be able to hide behind excuses like poor pay-per-view projections or fear of losing marketability after a loss. The message is clear: if you perform, you’ll be brought back.

This new model mirrors the UFC, where a single loss doesn’t erase your career. Instead, as long as a fighter trains hard, takes the sport seriously, and shows heart in the ring, they’ll earn another shot. “No Tom and Jerry,” the speaker warned. In other words, no more cartoon-level matchmaking or ducking challenges.

If this mindset holds, Riyadh could be the spark that reignites real competition in boxing. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll give us the next generation of stars the sport so desperately needs.