why have U.S. boxers always had slicker styles than the rest of the world?

Because those are the styles that the American public wants to see and thus the styles that go on to highlight major events.

 

You beat me to the post John. Not quite the same but I've been wondering about the style clash and the impact of the Ex-Soviet technical style (which seems to have changed things more as the weight classes go up). Wondering if some sort of synergy between Latin American/North American/Eastern Euro will occur down the line or if styles will remain distinct. In fact, in the coming years an East Asian and African style may emerge.

The U.S is the true home of pro-boxing, and without disrespect to the huge number of great fighters from around the world, until the last 20 years, the only real place that mattered. That seems, slowly, to be changing as the world becomes increasingly digitised and televised.

Certainly, one reason I can suggest for the US 'slickness' is just that - it looks great dammit, it's what the public want to see. It brings the $s.

But in the ol' Soviet what didn't win medals didn't count. That system aimed to take every promising guy and maximise his chances of winning prestige for the motherland. The results of an outstanding amateur program is what we're seeing bearing fruit to this day.

Ain't never that simple 'course and I look forward to hearing what others think. Specially 'cos my knowledge of Mexican, Central and South American boxing is unforgivably weak.

 

because most US boxers are black????:huh

 

Muhammad Ali left a huge mark in terms of style when he was active and after he retired.

 

Ali was an homage to Ray Robinson, notice how there were so many rip offs of Ali in the 80's? James Tillis, Terrel Biggs, Tony Tucker etc but they were never as good as Ali. :conf

Roy Jones was at the pinnicale of being slick in the 90's. :yep

 

Yep. Its an American black thing. Their style is all about slickness. Mexican style is about macho toughness, British is about being strong. Every country/region has its own style.

 

I'd say that's probably because it is what is needed to win on the local level. If a guy can't beat anyone on the local level, then he can't move on to bigger and better things. Once you get onto the world stage, you have to go what you're good at. I think it applies regardless of color, race, nation, region, etc.

Not all black fighters are slick, and not all slick fighters are black and American.

 

Trainers. Started with Corbett beating Sullivan and evolved from there,then we have the early boom in that style early 1900s

 

i feel african americans just have the "flow".. im aussie we dont have many black people here but the ones i grew up with.. they were just naturally athletic. they could all dance and flow really well with little practice ....

 

Like - 'White guys can't dance' then? I know you're not really meaning it like that, but C'mon. I really don't want this to become a racial type thread...hey John G, you got the best knowledge of US box history I know..we got some examples of slicksters who ain't black guys?