Did Floyd Mayweather reduce the popularity of boxing in the USA with his boring defensive style?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Perkin Warbeck, Jun 12, 2022.


Did Floyd's boring style hurt the popularity of boxing in the USA?

Poll closed Mar 7, 2025.

  1. Yes

    27 vote(s)
    35.1%

  2. No

    45 vote(s)
    58.4%

  3. I'm not sure

    5 vote(s)
    6.5%
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  1. Perkin Warbeck

    Perkin Warbeck Boxing aficionado Full Member

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    Boxing was more popular in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s than in the 21st century when Floyd Mayweather was the highest-profile American boxer.

    In the past there were ring warriors like Tyson, Duran, Hagler, Frazier, Ali, Foreman, Hearns, Holyfield, etc. Their fights were always enjoyable to watch.

    Floyd's pitty-pat, shoulder-roll and run style, while effective, turned away many boxing fans. He only had ONE stoppage win in his last TEN title fights, as he would simply try to run out the clock instead of going for a stoppage against overmatched opponents like Guerrero and Berto.

    Floyd's fights may have been a cure for insomnia, but otherwise were not very good - many people found them dull and then wouldn't want to waste more money to watch boxing. Some turned to MMA or other sports.

    Did having Floyd Mayweather as the face of boxing in the USA cause a decrease in the popularity of the sport in the USA?
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2022
    Perkin Warbeck, Jun 12, 2022
    Perkin Warbeck, Jun 12, 2022
    #1
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  2. Guerra

    Guerra Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He caused the zero marketing style and carefull matchmaking and therefore the big fights that boxing need are not happening when they should.
     
    Guerra, Jun 12, 2022
    Guerra, Jun 12, 2022
    #2
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  3. JunlongXiFan

    JunlongXiFan 45-6 in Kirks Chmpionshp Boxing Predictions 2022 Full Member

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    How can the third most popular American boxer of the past 60 years have decreased the popularity by being boring? Clearly Americans were intrigued by him.
     
    JunlongXiFan, Jun 12, 2022
    JunlongXiFan, Jun 12, 2022
    #3
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  4. Perkin Warbeck

    Perkin Warbeck Boxing aficionado Full Member

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    But during the Mayweather era, boxing's TV ratings became much lower.

    People used to talk about Holyfield, Tyson, Hearns, Hagler and Duran, but I've rarely heard anyone talk about Mayweather. Floyd was not exciting, his fights put people to sleep.
     
    Perkin Warbeck, Jun 12, 2022
    Perkin Warbeck, Jun 12, 2022
    #4
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  5. JunlongXiFan

    JunlongXiFan 45-6 in Kirks Chmpionshp Boxing Predictions 2022 Full Member

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    I think this is because in the USA PPV became the primary model for stars as it makes more money.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2022
    JunlongXiFan, Jun 12, 2022
    JunlongXiFan, Jun 12, 2022
    #5
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  6. Sinew

    Sinew The Assassin Full Member

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    No , it was Wlad.
     
    Sinew, Jun 12, 2022
    Sinew, Jun 12, 2022
    #6
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  7. HolDat

    HolDat Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Football and basketball are just much more popular in the US.
     
    HolDat, Jun 12, 2022
    HolDat, Jun 12, 2022
    #7
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  8. Perkin Warbeck

    Perkin Warbeck Boxing aficionado Full Member

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    I'm no fan of Wladimir Klitschko, I don't like him and in the Povetkin fight he should have been DQed for excessive holding.

    But with his 53 KOs he was clearly more exciting to watch than Mayweather.

    This content is protected
     
    Perkin Warbeck, Jun 12, 2022
    Perkin Warbeck, Jun 12, 2022
    #8
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  9. IsaL

    IsaL VIP Member Full Member

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    No, he actually carried the sport with his character.
     
    IsaL, Jun 12, 2022
    IsaL, Jun 12, 2022
    #9
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  10. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    I can tell the people who vote yes aren't American.

    What hurt boxing in the US was the fall of Mike Tyson and the domination of the Klitschko brothers. Theres also the fact that Basketball and Football are much more popular
     
    MarkusFlorez99, Jun 12, 2022
    MarkusFlorez99, Jun 12, 2022
    #10
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  11. DaRealJT

    DaRealJT Boxing Addict Full Member

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    There are numerous factors behind the decline of boxing as a mainstream sport in the West; attributing it all to Floyd Mayweather is extremely short-sighted.
     
    DaRealJT, Jun 12, 2022
    DaRealJT, Jun 12, 2022
    #11
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  12. West of Hollywood

    West of Hollywood Active Member Full Member

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    Mayweather's boring style was responsible for the decline and fall of western civilization.
     
    West of Hollywood, Jun 12, 2022
    West of Hollywood, Jun 12, 2022
    #12
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  13. Perkin Warbeck

    Perkin Warbeck Boxing aficionado Full Member

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    Well, he sure didn't help and he was certainly a factor.
    You mean by beating up the mother of his children?
     
    Perkin Warbeck, Jun 12, 2022
    Perkin Warbeck, Jun 12, 2022
    #13
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  14. exocet76

    exocet76 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Nah. It's just timing really and understanding the sport was in a rut at the time. The Heavyweight division was also poor during this period.
    So many factors are to blame. from the switch between free to air to the PPV model didn't help as that reduced the general public awareness of fighters. I don't think Floyd helped as I think if he'd fought Pacman back in 09 to 2010 that would certainly given boxing a shot.
    The other era's are more remembered because the divisions were deeper in talent and everyone fought each other.
    This is why in that time it's become more about marketing and over emphasising the importance of being unbeaten. That only works on the casuals and the fanboys though. So it's complicated but I can't blame Floyd as he is only one fighter but he did bring those tactics of card stacking and cherry picking into the norm.
     
    exocet76, Jun 12, 2022
    exocet76, Jun 12, 2022
    #14
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  15. Ph33rknot

    Ph33rknot Live as if you were to die tomorrow Full Member

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    Everyone always tuned in, in hopes that he would lose thats how he sold himself as the villain
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2022
    Ph33rknot, Jun 12, 2022
    Ph33rknot, Jun 12, 2022
    #15
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