Heavyweights Where did it all go wrong?

Most of the American kids just dont want to be the next Joe Louis anymore.
Therefore the Russians and Ukrainians, etc., stepped in (mostly based in Germany) and took over.
And they brought with them an effective but dreary and boring style of heavyweight boxing. And ZERO charisma.

 

Boxing isn't "cool" anymore. Twelve rounds is WAY longer than the attention span of your average YouTube-raised kid these days. Four rounds of tattoo'd white trash in human cockfighting MMA, with champions who can't hold on to their title for more than one fight are much more "entertaining". It's real fighting, yo.

 

I find Wladimir's style dull to watch (for the past 3-4 years that is) but I could watch him if not for his opponents lacking any kind of skill level or desire. Most of his fights turn into glorified sparring sessions very quickly. It's just not very interesting when you have highly skilled, evenly matched fighters going at it in other divisions.

 

Bewcause they are no thrashtalking loudmouthes?

 

We cant blame MMA and the people it attracts for the decline of boxing. Nor can we can blame short attention spans. Football matches are 105 minutes, two halfs of 45 minutes each, 15 min break, and still massively popular.

If the heavyweight division today had fighters like Tyson, Holyfield, or Ali, Frazier in their primes it would certainly be attracting far more fans, I reckon. Even one fighter like that would be enough to get the popularity back.

 

No, I dont want trash-talking loudmouths. But a boxing is at a distinct disadvantage in terms of marketability if he's got a boring style in the ring AND an introverted personality outside of it.

Personally, I couldn't give a **** about out-of-ring personality and charisma, but some of those loudmouths and clowns do bring the sport more coverage. That's just the way it is.

 

Not an easy question. The Klitschko's can sell out huge stadiums, and get a high television rating in Europe. I think the problem is multifaceted.

1 ) There are no quality name American heavyweights.

2 ) MMA seems to have stolen boxing's thunder, and there are tons of American MMA heavyweights.

3 ) There is a recession going on.

4 ) Some USA fans still have trouble watching no-north American based heavyweights.

5 ) PPV is expensive. Why pay $49.95 to watch what the public sees as a mis-match when the fight will be in you tube in less than a week?

 

Introverted? Sorry bu beeing respectful and humble is not introverted. In Germany we like such people. Valuev is very well respected and liked over here because he is a likable human beeing and despite his boring fights. More people over here watch ta Valuev fight than the last PBF and Pac fight together. When a Klitschko or Abraham fights between 12 and 18 million people turn in. Four of the eight German major TV stations show boxing. Even somebody like Erdei has double the viewers of Mayweather and Pac. And we have not even one hird of America's population.

It has nothing to do with style, charisma or beeing marketable but with building the right circumstances. In Germany boxing is for free. No Pay per view. I think that's a big reason for the decline of boxing in America. In March Thomas Kretschmann, a young German heavyweight on domestic level who got knocked out last year in one round get's a own documentation at prime time at a major TV station on his build up for the rematch with the guy who knocked him out.
he other reason is the right fights aren't made. Yeah, currently everybody who is matched with either Klitschko loses. But why no Chambers-Arreola? Promoters build up heir fighters on soft and easy fights, try to lead them to an easy title shot and then feed them with bums. Tha does not generate. When the champs are so dominant, the conenders should be competative wih each other.

btw. I really hope Deontay Wilder will be successful. He seems to be a nice kid with some talent and boxing needs a Top American hw.

 

Cruiserweight.

If it was from 176+ fighters would have to adapt, the division would be deeper to an extent.

Just a thought. I am personally far more impressed by the 'smaller' Heavys anyway, from a technical standpoint. Wlad is too safety first; very competent.

 

I love he cruiserweights. It's very deep right now with about 10-15 fighters on a similar level and plenty of prospects on the rise. Sadly, like in heavyweight there are only few American cruisers. The current best one is, Steve Cunningham. And what's eve more sad is that America ignores them.

 

Chuck 'em in with the Heavys.

all the belts make it fragmented as well. It's not just Heavyweights its across the board.

-Back to 15 rounds
-One belt
-8 Divisions
-Same day weigh ins

Save boxing:good

 

You are right: the decline started before MMA made it big time. I guess MMA's popularity is more of consequence than a cause. Still, it makes the situation hard to reverse.

I agree that a Tyson, Holyfield, Ali or Frazier would help. But i also believe that one of the main factors is the lack of American talent.


Scattering of the belts has also caused boxing's credibility and accessibility. Even though this has been the case since the 80's, i think we can agree that it's always had a negative impact. Even as a die-hard fan myself, i'm embarrassed to explain my friends how there rarely isn't "one" champion.

On charisma, you're not taking culture up in the equation. As someone else said, a Tyson would do well in America, but in Germany and Eastern Europe, a more modest composure is much more appreciated. That's why Brewster is so popular in Germany.

One more thing is the extreme corruption. Last year there were at least 3 decisions in big fights that were so damn outright fixed it's not even funny anymore (Funeka-Guzman, Diaz-Maliggnagi, Holyfield-Valuev, etc). Again, this takes away from the credibility.


As for the football comparison, it's hard to compare. During football, you don't get punched in the face. Repeatedly. It's a sport that in principle has unlimited audience, from kids coming fresh off Teletubbies to blue collar workers to grandma.

 

Very well put Chris:deal...

 

100% agree, same problem in the UK.