Unlike team sports, boxing doesn’t lend itself to the fantasy-sports craze. After all, it’s hard to generate statistics — the bread and butter of the fantasy industry — if each fighter has only a couple matches a year. That may be where the newly formed World Series of Boxing (WSB) can make inroads with fans. More fights, more fighters, and multiple teams means there could be a Matrix-like rain of figures washing down the computer screens of sports geeks as they spend hours computing jab-and-power-punch stats. If that happens, don’t be surprised if fans begin rooting for fighters to knockout opponents because of fantasy points rather than the thrill of competition. But instead of waiting for that fantasy, enjoy pugilistic pleasure derived from watching behemoths pound themselves into submission this weekend. Root for your hometown Miami Gallos as they make a final push to the playoff stage during their inaugural season. They’ll be fighting their prime competition for the last playoff spot in the North American division, the Mexico City Guerreros.
Sun., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., 2011