2010 Ringside Boxing Round One Proves to Be a Possible Game Changer

Often collectors are priced out of a product right away, despite the fact they might want to go after a base set or simply sample a few packs or a box. Separate odds for hobby and retail releases combats this somewhat, but these are usually for products that are low- to mid-range to begin with.

The closest thing that I can think of in recent history that aimed for both high-end hit seekers and set collectors was Donruss Americana. Each of the three sets had a hobby version that offered an autograph or memorabilia card in every pack. Base cards and inserts were also done on foil board. The retail release was geared primarily at set builders, offering tougher odds on hits and no foil board. While it was a step in the right direction, the different card stocks proved to be a confusing venture for those looking to the secondary market to pick up singles or finish sets. Many people didn't know about the differences in the hobby and retail releases and therefore didn't advertise them as such. The countless number of parallels, which were also doubled by the different card stocks, certainly didn't help either.

But Creative Cardboard Concepts' resurrection of Ringside Boxing looks to be closing the gap between hit seekers and set builders with two different releases, both of which offer largely the same cards but at drastically different odds. 2010 Ringside Boxing Round One, which is set for a mid-May release, will have both a hit-centric KO version that carries a high price tag, and a TKO version, a release geared more at set builders albeit still offering its fair share of inserts and chase components.

 The KO release aims to curb the ugly site of "collectors" tossing aside their base cards at the card shop in search of autographs and other inserts. Each KO box contains just 18 cards: 12 base cards, three Mecca Turkey Red inserts, two autographs (all are on-card) and either a fight-worn memorabilia card or one-of-one insert.

TKO boxes have a  ore traditional box structure, offering ten packs of four cards. Each TKO box averages either an autograph or memorabilia card, one or two Mecca Turkey Red cards and a one-in-two chance of a limited base card.

The only exclusives are two base set and Mecca Turkey Red parallels that will only be available in KO boxes.

What I really like about this structure is that it appeals to different types of collectors without alienating either. The KO version looks very enticing but could be rather cost-prohibitive for those going after sets. And seeing as how it's been nearly two decades since an all-out boxing release, there should be some pent-up demand for cards. And while it offers longer odds, the TKO version still has its share of chase elements.

Blowout Cards currently has KO boxes, which are limited to 2500 total boxes, on pre-sale for $207.99. TKO boxes are listed at $92.99.