British attitudes

Although someone will mention it I think the "loves a good loser, rather than a winner" cliche is a bit lazy.

 

Atm, I'd say America is the same about preserving the '0' but I agree about not taking enough risks. Matchmaking in Britain is a bit shitty. It's either taking the traditional route or fighting soft opposition for shitty titles that bring a rankings. It's all about getting a world title fight but not much about PREPARING for that world title shot.

What I hate about British promoters is the lack of quality international opponents brought over. What's going to help Kell Brook more...fighting guys like Kotey and Bienias or Gomez, Collazo and Ndou?

 

I think fans have to take at least some of the blame for the fixation of keeping the zero. We're as quick as anyone to put a fighter down based on a defeat or two.

 

I wouldn't neccessarily say we're the only ones capable of this. Lots of Americans are more protected these days. Nevermind the dreaded 'Eurobums', there is a reason that terminology came about and its because so many have padded inflated records.

I think a big part of the problem is boxing is not huge anymore. No longer are the days where you can have a couple of losses at a lower level and be considered a serious money maker. Back when you had Benn, Eubank and Watson the sport was so big, the personalities so well defined, the crowds so devoted, they could soak up losses and move on.

 

Years ago they fought often enough that a defeat could be shrugged off and the career gotten on with. These days with a world class prospect fighting 2/3 times a year a loss can set a career back 12/ 18 months. Thats a big deal when a fighter is coming into his prime.

 

Thats all connected to Ishys point about the "zero", Avid (IMHO).

 

Matchmakers have to talk to Promoters and Fighters and there trainers and managers. So sometimes it's not always there fault if a fighter or team don't fancy that fight there's nothing he can do really.

 

Brook is a particularly bad case to be fair. On the flip side I think Cleverly has been brought along particularly well and it looks like DeGale will be too.

 

I agree with this, and also a reluctance to travel. If good opponents won't come to the UK go to them. Brook could be fighting on Top Rank cards to build to possible fight with Mike Jones, Chisora should fight a gatekeeper on the undercard of the next Klitschko fight in Germany. Fighting soft opposition at home isn't doing these guys any good, if the UK based promoters can't deliver the fights they should look elsewhere.

 

Cleverly has being brought along alright apart from that run he had with Afrobums. He had Quigley, Vegas and Oakey early on. McIntosh, Fry, Brancalion and Murat has being a nice progression. It would have helped facing someone like that Frenchman a bit earlier - an awkward, negative type.

 

Thats not really going to happen Baj, you're asking them to take tougher fights for less money. I know you might say it may pay for itself in the long run but thats not how fighters/ managers/ promoters will look at it. Brits are good fans who turn out for their fighters so the fighters will tend to fight in Britain.