Boxing is lacking in super stars, Who are the next super stars?

I wouldn't throw shade on the whole generation. It's the first one that grew up having a camera in their face 24/7. Maybe they're not boring but aware of all the possible missteps. And social media punishes those a lot.

From all i've heard jordan was a horrible person. You could manufacture the public persona way better in a time without footage of everything. to be fair, bird seemingly always was a great person. Magic, too, i think. But still, people were kore starved for them. They couldn't just satisfy their curiosity by watching their social media presence...

 

You definitely don't have to be a good person to be a superstar. You're right in that a lot of them haven't been. But even bad people can have some admirable traits. Jordan was an a-hole, but he was a charming a-hole in his own way. At least his public persona was. He didn't make a bunch of excuses for the psycho that he was. Lebron, for example, is not the least bit charming, relatable, or inspiring for most people. People would rather you be an upfront villain than a two-faced corporatized "hero".

You do make a good point about social media and more eyes scrutinizing them. But a lot of people bring those troubles on themselves, too. I think a lot of people would actually find it refreshing if an athlete would just tell the media and the browbeating crowd to **** off and refuse to kowtow to them for once. Maybe it might cost some sponsorships, but they might make it up in the long term by appearing to be an actual authentic person instead of some public relations drone. Some people used to do that back in the day. Charles Barkley with his "I'm not a role model" commercial. It's no coincidence that the guy who has no filter and is unapologetically himself is one of the most popular people in sports media. Though, maybe those people won't even be allowed in the future.

Anyway, those are just my thoughts.

 

He’s the goat kickboxer, think he did fine in his career.

 

Itauma and Benevidez could become big stars. I think Itauma is very close and he will take over once Usyk retires.

Maybe Gradus Kraus if he keeps beating opponents at 175 after Bivol & Beterbiev retires for good.

Sheerz has some potential if he keeps winning and take over 168 after Canelo retires.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. if ODLH doesn't **** his career away. There's also Ennis and Fundora at 154, but Fundora is being held back by PBC.

 

Um, have you seen Ituama speak? He’s awful. I don’t see how he can become a superstar. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s about to bulldoze the entire HW division but I don’t know how he ends up a global superstar with how woeful he is in front of a mic.

Benavidez and Sheeraz both have potential. Both seem outgoing and very likable, Benavidez sounds like your average bro from anytown USA, Sheeraz sounds like a Brit gentleman to me. (I’m American, so if I’m wrong, Brits, let me know; but then again, if that’s how he comes across to me, that’s how he comes across to your average American).

 

Itauma probably

 

I dont think we have anyone capable of being a cross over type superstar currently

 

Hamzah Sheeraz who is well spoken and good looking.

After he sends Canelo into retirement once and for all after like 12 British fighters have failed in the past ..

 

Nope

Definitely not a superstar

 

Can you explain why you think that? What’s he lacking? Exciting to watch style, well spoken in front of a mic, and I think the whole British gentleman affect he goes for works on Americans (and therefore I assume generally on non-Brits). As i am not British I don’t know how they’d perceive him and won’t presume. Waiting for one to pipe in here (are you a Brit?).

 

Boots

 

Boxing is always more exciting with American stars.

Wilder was pivotal to the legend of Tyson Fury.

 

we’ve got many of the biggest p4p names right now.

 

Ryan Garcia is the easy answer to this question, he’s the only boxer widely known by total non-boxing fans (as in the people who might watch one big fight per year at most)

He went on the Jimmy Fallon show to announce the Conor Benn fight, no other boxer* in the sport right now has that sort of pull

(*under the age of ~35 and isn’t already one foot out the door like Canelo and Fury)

Also Jake Paul if you want to count him as a “boxer” but it looks like he was retired by AJ anyhow

 

Ryan is the number 1 contender, because he has the X factor for a number of reasons. Benavidez is 2nd because he ticks every box. Moses is 3rd because at HW all you need to do it be a monster and knock people out. People rag on his personality but Tyson was hardly a sparkling personality.