Does the Idea of the "Great White Hope" Still Exist?

I think the term is very dated, mostly applied to the heavyweight division, and very USA based.

The talent in the heavyweight division for the past ten years has been mostly white.

The focus shifted a few years ago. They ( the boxing powers ) were looking for the Great American hope. The trouble is Eastern Europeans heavyweight champions have won something like 20 title matches in a row vs. North American or UK based heavies. The result in the USA has been a decline in cable / PPV matches in the heavyweight division. These days a Great American hope is viewed with skepticism, which is unfortunate because each fighter should be judged on merit, not the failure of his geographic predecessors.

 

I think, to a large degree, the fight public has evolved beyond the term.

This doesn't mean people from both sides of the plate won't continue to flog the term to their financial or doctrinal bent.

 

I just want to add that to my knowledge this was mostly an American concept. I am reading a history of black boxers in the 1700-1800's, and the contrast of the treatment by UK society of black fighters with their treatment by American society is stark.

 

Amazing when you think about it that all the champs now are white and most have been white over the last 10 years whereas Frans Botha in 95 was the first white champ for about 40 years

 

No, Coetzee was champ in 83.

 

If you count WBO, then Tommy Morrison in the 1990's.

 

White fighters nowadays tend to get really hyped up. It's not something just specific to white fighters, though, but it happens at a rather high relation.

 

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I'd say its more about the next American hope.

Or perhaps, the next English-speaking hope?

 

Why do you think Matthysse is so hyped up? Hes even got a pass from everyone who literally shat all over GBP and Peterson for making the fight at 141 when it was Matthysse who wouldn't drop his mandatory slot.

 

No problem. I got what you meant.

The phrase was just too 'strange' to let pass.:good

 

Not just perhaps if you are an American.

 

I really believe ,for the most part,society has moved on from this.There will always be racists out there,but generally boxing fans merely desire a fan friendly fighter,regardless of race or color.

 

That still applies today!