This is something I experienced back in the 90s, for example. I loved watching Tyson when I was getting interested in boxing as a teenager back in the mid-80s. I rooted for him against everyone….until he fought Ruddock. I found myself wanting Razor to win, I just really liked his style and attitude. I also rooted for Holyfield against Tyson, even though I’d been cheering Tyson on in his comeback. I also rooted for Moorer when he fought Holyfield,probably the only time I wanted to see someone win against the “real deal”….and I can’t entirely explain why lol.
I also. I also looked forward to Tyson's comeback success. Specifically, in that fight, I was more worried about Holyfield, and I was cheering to see the best possible boxing. I have never cheered against a boxer I favor. Theoretically, that could happen if that boxer came to the fight in such bad shape that he would disappoint and annoy me.
Like most, I suspect, I was a fan of all of the Fab Four (actually five as I put Wilfred Benitez in that company and I liked him as much as the others). So when they fought each other, it was … complicated. I rooted for Roberto Duran against Leonard (all three times), for Leonard against Hearns and Hagler. I just wanted a good fight when Hagler fought Hearns and Duran (and was rewarded both times). I cheered Benitez vs. Duran because I just loved his style, but I was for Hearns against Benitez and just wanted a good fight when Duran fought Hearns (and was not rewarded, although I was wowed like everyone). I was a huge fan of Alexis Arguello and of Bobby Chacon. I rooted for the Schoolboy vs. AA. And AA vs. Mancini, although I liked Ray and probably cheered for him in every other fight. I don’t think I was ever not for Jose Luis Ramirez except vs. Mancini, but that fight was the first time I saw him so I hadn’t gotten attached (and didn’t know who he was when he fought Arguello, which wasn’t televised — at least not where I was — and didn’t see it until many years later … but that result was the first I’d heard of him and it made me want to see him).
I was a huge fan of both Salvador Sanchez and Wilfredo Gomez. I rooted for Gomez when they fought. And I was for Danny Lopez both times he fought Sanchez (whom I had never seen before their first fight and was a longtime Lopez fan) but other than Gomez and Lopez, I was for Sal every time. Come to think of it, I’d say I never rooted against Little Red Lopez. I mean, how could you?
Would not say i was rooting for him but i was at the Herol Graham v Vinny Pazienza fight and was really hoping for a good performance from Vinny but sadly he was outclassed
I've never ended up in that position. Biggest dilemma i had was who to vote for in Rosario - Davis Jr as they were two of my absolute faves and in the same division. I ended up going for Rosario, but barely.