if boxing was on network tv and fighters were doing comercials for products. kids aside from saying i want to be like lebron, a-rod, kobe, tom brady, vick, can say i want to be like pac, floyd (maybe not), mosley, cotto, ward, donaire, hopkins. despite a lack of formal school education, boxers to me come across as very intelligent, and personable, friendly, jovial people that the public could really fall in love with, if given the chance. i think a lot of boxers would make great role models for kids to look up to.
I respect Wlad a lot but if you want to introduce people to boxing you shouldn't give them a Wlad fight to watch. Still, he's got tons of fans in Germany despite being boring.