Paul Williams Why all the Hype?

And you think the color of his skin is the reason? :huh

There are very few marketable fighters today. Williams is just one of many and it has more to do with boxing's lower and lower mainstream appeal. ****, Erik Morales was putting on some of the best fights around and even he wasn't a superstar till later in his career, even when he was a 122 champ.

 

Bingo!:good Same thing w/ Shane Mosley as well. By all means, he should have been a household names years ago.

 

Well to me it seems that when a black fighter has an arrogant/cocky personality he is able to sell seats! ex: Mike T, Floyd M, Roy J..........ect!

 

The majority of the boxing media, who happen to be white, voted Paul Williams the #3 P4P fighter in the world. If anything, he's benefited in that regard by the favoritism that black US fighters get when it comes to ratings. Since that group of fighters has historically been on top for decades, US publications tend to give them the benefit of the doubt in any close call, rankings wise.

As for why he's not attracting more crowds, you should be asking why he doesn't have more black American fans supporting him since fighters begin (in most cases) to develop fanbases from 3 crucial areas: people of the same ethnic/racial group, people of the same region, and lastly, purists who like that style of fighter regardless of the other two factors. I'm not black, so I can't answer why he doesn't have more support from what comprises his primary fanbase. Maybe it is because he's not a loudmouth, cocky *******. If so, it's a shame because he's got a fan-friendly style.

After that initial fanbase, the marketing takes care of the rest. Having a P4P ranking, that stupid "most feared man in boxing" moniker, and other promotional tactics encompass that bit.

 

Of course. But you said Paul Williams skin color was the reason. Now you're saying it's his lack of "street" attitude, which does hold more truth.

 

Well if you read the earlier post I said "there are fighters who aren't black with dull personalities that have a bigger following"

But I also said that PW has to market himself!

No contradiction buddy!!

 

Wasn't suggesting a contradiciton. :thumbsup Just that his lack of attitude/charisma is more the reason.

But yes, there are some white fighters with bigger followings. Mesi, Spadafora, Pavlik, Duddy...all fought a lot at home though, and that's where their big followings comers from.

 

jones was never a PPV fighter though.
i think both you guys raise some good points, and i'd like to know why some fighters find it hard to get into mainstream fights.

it's hard to put a finger on it.

 

I'll put it like this to show my objectivity...........

In the 90's I was a big HW division fan so when Tommy Morrison started to make a name for himself I was a fan(Mike T was always 1st) because he was something fresh and new to the HW division at the time and this is how I felt about Pavlik when he beat Miranda(I disliked Miranda). I watched the Taylor fight and I was the only one rooting for Pavlik where i was watching the fight!!!

Roy wasn't a PPV fighter but he made more money per fight and is worth more to the networks than some fighter who are on PPV

 

Man...makes me miss the HW division of the 90's.

Roy got a sweetheart of a deal w/ HBO...but it was that sweet deal that allowed "Reluctant Roy" to be borne unfortunately.

 

Me too!!!!

 

I just don't understand the hate.


You don't have to like or root for a fighter, but that shouldn't stop you from being objective. You have a guy who is most comfortable at 147, but had to beg a guy to fight him, who the Top guys in his division wouldn't touch. And he beat him. Then he had a setback and went back out and avenged it the way you're supposed to, KO1.

All these guys who are supposed to be such great fighters in his division have refused to fight him. Shane flat out said no. Floyd's punk ass won't even acknowledge his existence. Most fans themselves don't want to see him in there with Pac. Cotto has dodged (not quite ducked) him for three years now. Clottey was the only willing partner, but HBO killed that deal. Cintron has refused, up until now, and even Margarito kept denying him a shot at a rematch and decided to fight Shane instead. So he moves up and has to challenge guys two weight classes above him.


And this guy isn't the most technically gifted guy out there, but he wins fights. Some of the same people who criticize Floyd for being too defensive and not taking chances are the same people who criticize PW for taking too many chances and getting hit too cleanly throwing too many punches..:huh



And the only thing some of you do is try to poke holes in his resume, complaining about the lack of big names, at the same time others say he doesn't deserve the big names because of the same old *****-ass PPV# argument.:huh


Sure, you have jackasses like me who go out of there way to hype him, but one thing about me... I have never ever ever claimed to be unbiased when it comes to him and Clottey.

 

That you in the avatar?

 

yeah...

That was in Atlantic City... The night before the Sergio fight.

You know what? I forgot to post the pics of Atlantic City.atsch

 

What took you so long hugger?

Step ya game up son :hat