Floyd isn't phony, he doesn't need to use religion too gain support. He lives his life how he wants to, doesn't care what people think about him. Not to mention that he's a brilliant technician in the ring.
Perhaps people root for him because of his skills, talent and personality. He obviously has cross over appeal. 4 million pay per view buys and people all over the world watching tells its own story.
I don't care much for Floyd. But I did want him to win the fight. Because it validates that boxing is a sport for the extremely skilled, not a joke like MMA where any bar room brawler or meth addict skin head ex-wrestler can win a title with a 6-2 record.
Simple why I am a fan......I love boxing....and no one does it better than Floyd over the last 20 years.