There was a lingering feeling in the pit of my stomach during Saturdays Canelo Alvarez-Liam Smith bout that was hard to ignore and was probably best summed up in this tweet.Boxing fans should demand more from their favorite sport. This new norm is heartbreaking.- Brian Campbell (@BCampbellESPN) September 18, 2016Cynical fans on social media were quick to remind that this new norm wasnt that far removed from what we have experienced as a whole over the past decade. While in most cases thats true, with boxings many shortcomings having long become accepted by its worn down and underserved fan base.But if were being honest when looking at 2016 as a whole, its difficult to overlook that this is just about as bad as it gets. Already successful at running off casual fans thanks to its broken system, boxing is now threatening to do the same to its backbone of hard-core fans -- the same ones who defend (and most importantly fund) the sports slow decay.Here was Alvarez, the Mexican superstar and de facto face of the sport, headlining a pay-per-view no one asked for against a little known and overmatched opponent. The only thing at stake outside of Alvarez and promoter Oscar De La Hoya lining their own pockets was the trinket of a 154-pound title Smith had captured despite not having a signature victory of any kind.The fight also took place in a division in which Alvarez -- the sports lineal middleweight champion, no less -- has no interest in competing in. Even the undercard played down to its dismally low level of expectations.Afterward, both Alvarez and De La Hoya spun narratives of half-truths while attempting to put off for another year the superfight that should have already taken place -- Alvarezs showdown with unified middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin -- to a time when Triple G will conveniently be closer to age 36 and fans will be worn out from the journey getting there.While Alvarez and De La Hoya arent exclusively to blame for boxings deeper dive into irrelevance in 2016, their unrepentant heel turn is discouraging when you consider their history for giving fans what they want and deserve.But during a calendar year in which nearly all parties involved have put their own immediate financial needs in front of the long-term health of the sport, its becoming increasingly difficult for fans to separate the heroes from the villains.This isnt the every other year phenomenon that has recently plagued the sport, with both 2012 (drug suspensions, promotional cold war) and 2014 (well ... everything)?proving awful, only for the sport to rebound spectacularly in 2013 (great fights, healthy competition between HBO and Showtime) and 2015 (launch of PBC, Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao buzz).This is much worse, with years of disturbing trends finally escalating to the level of an epidemic. This is an entire sport taking the path of least resistance in hopes of creating a spark for that one great fight on the horizon, only to then milk it for all its worth with bait-and-switch tactics in the buildup.Sound familiar? Its Mayweather-Pacquiao all over again, which is something De La Hoya is clearly looking to replicate with Golovkin-Alvarez. But the flippant way in which hes testing the patience of his own customers during a time when boxing no longer has the collateral to do so is short-sighted, especially after so many casual fans -- the ones needed to sell large numbers of PPVs -- vowed to never be fooled again after the $100 dud last May.Instead, 2016s biggest fights have been a series of glorified mismatches and gratuitous rematches, making boxing feel more like a touring rock concert than an actual competition, with top superstars being paid handsomely to play their hits in fights designed to make them look good. Watching Alvarez croon his adoring crowd of 50,000-plus fans at the cavernous AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, very much felt the same way, which was probably by design.Alvarez has become just another imitator of the dangerous precedent set by Mayweather, who repeatedly leveraged his sublime talent and marketability into a series of low-risk marquee fights for large rewards. Its a business model designed by Mayweathers adviser and PBC creator Al Haymon, who lets not forget came to boxing fresh off his success as a giant in which avenue? Yes, the concert promotion business.Its the same copycat model being attempted by PBC fighters like Adonis Stevenson, Danny Garcia and Adrien Broner, with each one gaining an inflated sense of financial worth after being overpaid for showcase fights, providing them with literally millions of reasons to outright avoid the dangerous ones.Its one thing for only one of boxings top stars to consistently match himself disproportionate to his talent level, as fans had endured with Mayweather in recent years. But when it quickly becomes nearly every big name in the sport, making fights that matter becomes impossible.Gone is the fantasy that if casual fans, who only came around twice per year to complain how boring and expensive a Mayweather pay-per-view fight was, would just watch the sport on the other 50 weekends each year, they would be hooked. Not in 2016.Not with HBO, long the gold standard for boxing on premium pay cable, handcuffed with budget issues, forcing one non-deserving fight after another to the PPV level. And not with PBC largely refusing to match its best against each other in cards not funded by Showtime/CBS, while constantly flooding the market on other networks with fights not worthy of being televised.Even the one fight that truly matters above all this year -- the Nov. 19 showdown for pound-for-pound supremacy between unified light heavyweight titlist Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward -- has been saddled with an unnecessary year-long buildup in which both fighters looked underwhelming in tune-up bouts, robbing from the potential crossover buzz.The sport has done well to fight off the constant boxing is dead hysteria in recent years by providing its hardened regulars with just enough reminders as to why they fell in love in the first place, despite constant obstacles like big-name promoters proving unwilling to work with each other.The reason is because boxings almost arrogant resiliency takes root within a singular reality that remains true: When its operating at its best, no other sport can provide an equal high or summon as deep an emotional reaction as boxing. In fact, its not even close.In that regard, boxing is an addiction for most true fans that is very hard to quit. Promoters know this; in fact, they feast on this. But its an abusive relationship at best, especially in 2016. And when theres little payoff to be found for the fans whose hard-earned pay keep the sport moving, soon enough theres little reason to tune in.Its heartbreaking to know that your favorite sport must complete its decades-long fall before it can ever truly be fixed.Its very likely that 2016 wont be that year, despite the many problems that boxing remains embroiled in. But it would be nice if those in power woke up to the reality of the sports sinking-ship existence and spent less time preparing their own lifeboat.It would be just as nice for fans to finally use their voice in the only true manner that affects change -- with their wallet -- and stop accepting the status quo.Alvarez-Smith wasnt the only thing thats wrong with boxing in 2016, but its surely a microcosm of the path of least resistance trend that is further distancing this once great sport from the potential that still exists, buried deep within the ruins of its own remains. Chris Young Jersey . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. Cameron Maybin Jersey .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. http://www.angelsteamshop.com/Angels-Blake-Parker-Kids-Jersey/ . 9. Price, heading to the 2014 Olympics for Canada, was named the First Star after posting wins in three starts with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage. Justin Upton Jersey . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Reggie Jackson Jersey . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. December 1 marks 60 years since one of Indian footballs biggest days - when the Indian team beat Australia 4-2 in the quarter-finals of the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. It was arguably their best result on the global stage, a match in which Neville DSouza became the first Asian to score a hat-trick in the Olympics.The lead-upIndia went into the 1956 Olympics bolstered by the impact of two decisions taken by the national football federation a couple of years previously: Boots were made mandatory in all domestic tournaments from 1954 and the duration of matches was increased from 60 minutes to 70. The Federation was initially reluctant to send the team to Melbourne but gave its consent after an IFA XI defeated a strong Chinese Olympic team 3-1 in Calcutta in July.The squadCoach SA Rahim selected a young side (average age 23) after two short camps and also switched over to the three-defender system. Only Azizuddin and Noor Mohammed retained their places from the 1952 Olympic team. Samar (Badru) Banerjee was appointed the Captain and J Kittu his deputy.The first roundThe India had a tough draw as they were due to clash with the strong Hungarian side, runners-up in the 1954 World Cup. However, Hungary withdrew because of political upheaval in the country and India got a walkover to the quarter-final.The big matchIndia were up against the hosts, the taller and stronger Australian team who had defeated Japan 2-0 in the opening round. The match, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, began with India quicker on the ball and it took them only nine minutes to open the scoring. Samar Banerjees piledriver crashed against the post and Neville DSouza, lurking nearby, leapt to nod home the rebound. Australia levelled eight minutes later, when Peter Thangaraj was beaten by Bruce Morrows header from a free kick by George Arthur from just outside the box.It didnt take India long to reply. In the 33rd minute PK Banerjee ran down the right flank and sent in an inch perfect cross. Australias keeper Ron Lord rushed out but failed to collect the ball and DSouza, showing his poachers instinct, took the chance and scored. Once again, though, Australia levelled quickly; the lead had lasted only three minutes when Morrow again nodded the ball home after Graham Macmillans header crashed against the crossbar and Thangaraj and central defender Abdus Salaam failed to clear in time.The second half began in similar vein, India dominating the exchanges by being faster on the ball. DSouza completed his hatrick five minutes into the half; Kannayan raced down the wings and, cutting in, found himself entaangled with Lord.dddddddddddd. The ball ran free and DSouza, again siezing the chance, slotted it home. Kittu completed the rout in the 80th minute with a superb goal, sprinting 25 yards before deceiving Lord with a clever lob. Thangaraj closed out the match with two smart saves, leaving India 4-2 winners.The reactionsNeville DSouza was fantastic, said PK Banerjee, who had to be admitted to hospital after the match with severe cramps. After we beat Australia 4-2, Australia challenged us to a rematch in Sydney. Do you know the result? We won 7-1. In Sydney, that evening, we massacred them.One foreign agency wrote: Indias superiority over Australia had been demonstrated in a practice match earlier,but they will have to improve a lot and pass more precisely against Yugoslavia in the semi finals.The semi-final Three days later India clashed with the taller and stronger Yugoslavia, who were also the favourites to win gold. India put up another spirited performance but lost 4-1. They played an open game but held the opposition scoreless till half time. Then India went ahead, that man DSouza again with a brilliant goal. He seized a loose ball near his own half line and ran through solo towards the rival goal, taking two defenders on his stride, and then cleverly outpaced the rival goalkeeper to drive the ball into the net.PK Banerjee remembers that goal clearly today. What a goal that was! He made the last defender turn and weave three times, before slotting the ball past him.Yugoslavia, though, were too strong and India wilted. We were unlucky, because we had prepared well, but we were inexperienced back then, Banerjee said. The same Yugoslavia who had scored 10 goals against us in 1952, we were leading them 1-0 till the 72nd minute.Writing for the Hindustan Times, Lloyd Clarke said: India today won herself a place in the ranks of world soccer players. In a fast and open game with the highly rated Yugoslavia, she was defeated 1-4 in a match that gave the Yugoslavs their toughest work out.The bronze medal play-off was against Bulgaria, and India lost 3-0. By then, though, Neville DSouza had done enough to was joint Golden Boot winner with 4 goals..The falloutFIFA was impressed with Indias showing; after the Yugoslavia match FIFA president Sir Stanley Rous and Dr Willy Meisl, a leading football journalist, visited the Indian dressing room to congratulate the players.Gautam Roy is a football historian and media manager of East Bengal football club. Wholesale NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys White China Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys From China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2019 Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Throwback Cheap Jerseys 2019 China Jerseys China NFL Gear Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale Youth NFL Jerseys China Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys ' ' '