There are no athletes like fighters and no sport like boxing

I think so too. As popular as team sports are, the common man sees himself in a fighter, especially those people from poorer backgrounds. A guy can't relate to an NFL or football team, like they can a boxer. That sort of connection is the reason why boxers have such huge popularity when they become famous. Alvarez, Pacquiao, Hatton, Tyson, Valero, Popo and so on, were all incredibly popular. Boxing will always produce these stars too.

 

STFU Newbie! :yep

 

I'm not so sure that's true. Anyone can pick up a football and pretend they're Pele (or whatever the US version is), but it's a lot harder to take that first step in to a gym, even more so to get to the point of stepping in the ring, even for sparring. I think the reason that fighters are so celebrated is because they are so disconnected from the common man, and most people recognise that they are witnessing someone that has made sacrifices that they themselves could not. No-one wants to imagine themselves getting punched in the face, and I think they admire boxers for what they endure, even if they consciously have no idea what it really takes to be a fighter, even those with natural gifts.

 

You always need a thread like this to restore your credibility, huh Jack?

LoL, I'm just kidding. Awesome thread, couldn't have really said it better. The purest sport of will versus will. No sport better showcases the indomitable spirit of human beings than boxing. I'm so damn pumped we get Haye vs Wlad, even though I favor Wlad pretty strongly. Still exciting as hell. The buildup will be great, I hope they have some 24/7 or something here in the states to push this to be a Global event. Either way, very cool. Especially knowing any one punch can change the tide/fight. When is the fight scheduled, the 26th of June or the 2nd of July? I think my brother's baby is due that day... but priorities.

 

I love baseball.

 

Couldn´t agree with you more. Thank you Jack, very good post.

 

I have sneaky ways of praising Wlad to seem impartial...

I'm really excited about Wlad/Haye too though. I remember making a post a while back, in a thread where people were posting "It'll never happen" that it 100% will, because I always felt that both men wanted it. The reasons it didn't happen are just politics and this sort of thing has gone on for, literally, centuries. It's the way the sport works and, whilst it's frustrating, I think calls of "coward" were premature.

It's great that the fight is around the corner, though. I don't have as much confidence in Pacquiao/Mayweather happening though, sadly, but it does restore confidence in the sport and it's promoters, when such a big fight, which has faced a lot of problems, can be made.

I'm genuinely not too fussed who wins though, because, as a boxing fan, I've already won. Haye or Wlad, it doesn't matter. I just hope it's a fun fight.

 

[yt]ReMWVTRYYCY[/yt]

I ****ing love this video.

 

amen to this post!!

theres nothing like boxing!!

 

:happy :cheers

Well said. Greatest sport in the world and some of the toughest, most well conditioned people on the planet.

 

The greatest sport

 

Yup. Best sport in the world.



:happy

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEK0GPuoxTg[/ame]

I needed to watch this just to remove the bad taste left in my mouth after watching that Glass Hearts video. I'll never have what it takes to get into the ring and put my life on the line for a sport, so I'll never disrespect any fighter that has the heart to get in the ring.

 

The pity of it all is that boxing gets next to NO mainstream coverage in the American sports media. It really is a shame, but outlets like Sports Illustrated and/or Sportscenter barely ever mention boxing unless it's something to do with DeLaHoya, Mayweather or Pacquiao. There is so much more to this fight game. What we need is the best fighting the best, and we need knockouts.

 

It'll come back, don't worry about that. Boxing is often a cyclical sport and the popularity does go up and down, but, as far as logical reasons go, Dana White is ensuring MMA will never, ever take over from boxing. As long as it's just the UFC, boxing can run alongside them.

I think boxing is strong today, in every nation, that it was a couple of years ago. The rise will continue too.