Okay, this is kind of stupid, but it's bothering me anyway. I got into an arguement with a friend last night. Those who know me know that I'm one of the biggest fans out there just like the rest of you all. Now here are a few things about this friend I argued with... #1 - he used to be a massive boxing fan #2 - a boxing historian, but knows very little about boxing today #3 - big UFC fan So basically, I was talking to him about some big fights coming up and he kept twisting the conversation into UFC fights coming up. Eventually, he told me that he doesn't want to tallk about boxing, and that boxing is dead. I laughed at him and told him that he was ignorant, boxing is alive and fine. He told me that there's a huge difference in boxing's popularity compared to the time before the 90's and during and after the 90's, therefore, boxing is dead. I told him that just in America it's popularity has decreased. Then he said that basically boxing is dead and it's all about the UFC now, and that I'll understand in about 5 years when boxing is irrelevant as a sport (although he made it sound like it already is). After a while, I just gave up. That conversation really got me thinking though... If boxing is not dead now, how will I know when boxing is dead. I mean, it's not dead now, not even in America, right? :huh
No, it's not dead. When it's no longer at the Olympics and when the pro code is not on television anymore it would be fair to say it was dead. Although obviously, people would still box.
When fights are still doing 1 million buys and fighters are still making 15 mil per fight its not dead. Not even close. Is there parity between boxing and UFC in America? Yes. Doesnt mean boxing is dead. Is baseball dead because its not as popular as football and basketball anymore? No.
1-When it loses top billing on places like HBO and Showtime 2- When it stops bringing in money 3- When it stops being an Olympic sport 4- When Yuri Foreman faces Sergio Martinez
Boxing is not dead, though it's suffering through a recession here in America, like the economy. The younger generation 13-27, tends to be all about the UFC, it currently is the new fad. I see all these ***s at college sporting tap out and affliction shirts, thinking because they lift weights that suddenly makes them tough. In any event, I have personally seen many boxing gyms in and around my part of town close down, one was made into a fight club/MMA gym. This made me pretty sad, to see a gym I once trained in growing up, is now a MMA joint. I hate to say it, boxing is no longer mainstream in America. There is no star power left now, the Tyson's, DLH's, and RJJ's are on their way out or retired. Guys like Pac and Mayweather are all we got left that as the average person knows name wise.
Well that's nobody's fault BUT boxing. MMA is only big because of the ineptitude of the people in charge of boxing.
No sense in arguing. He's just trying to reinforce what he likes. The proof is in the pudding. IMO UFC is cheesy and the fact is it will never surpass boxing.
I can't disagree with you on that, but it also doesn't help that there is no excitement in the sport as far as a fighters character is concerned. I watched a UFC ppv over a buddies house, and I watched Brock Lesnar act like a complete tool when everyone booed him. Then it occured to me, Brock is just playing the game, wether you hate or love him, you want to see the freak fight. His comments about hating gays, only increased his popularity, the guy knows how to promote himself, something I see very little of in boxing today.
Some of you younger fans really need to get one thing through your heads. Boxing died on March 29, 1966. The Ali/Chuvalo fight killed it. At least, that's what all the experts said.:nut