People love seeing a star knocked down, only to build themselves back up stronger than before. Look at Ray Leonard losing to Duran and coming back strong. I think the way AJ handled it with such class and humility, people will be willing him to succeed now. It was easy to be against the 'machine' of AJ and Eddie Hearn, but now AJ is seen as human and more relate-able. GO AJ
I must admit he has handled his loss well and took it like a man. I do hope he comes back but I am a bit torn cause I like Ruiz too..
I really like AJ and want him to succeed as much as possible. I know he has many many haters and people who love to deride him. Some of this is simply because the majority of boxing fans are a boorish mob and some of this is unfortunately due to racism. With that said, I was actually happy he lost. That may seem a contradiction, let me explain. I was happy AJ lost because it was an even bigger lost to the boxing political power behind him; Eddie Hearn, Matchrrom Events, Sky Boxing, DAZN. This hegemony of corruption took the biggest hit to their coffers when the cash-cow was derailed. I, like many others, am sick of the biased referee's, dodgy judges, SHILL commentary, shrewd matchmaking and overall corruption, trickery and ripping of the fans by Sky Boxing and their exclusive deal with Matchroom boxing, where all of Eddie Hearn's boxers are given VERY favourable "treatment". This "treatment" is a referee's that will act to protect Matchroom fighters as much as he can, judges that have already decided that the Matchroom fighter has won the fight before it starts, Sky commentators giving a completely one-side picture as to what is happening in the fight (Matchroom boxer is amazing, opponent is "not doing enough") Even on this nights show, the corruption was in full effect, first Joshua Kelly was awarded a dubious decision against Ray Robinson, a fight in which Kelly looked terrible in and was getting hit way to much. Then in one of the worst robberies I have seen, Katie Taylor was awarded a "victory" against Delfine Persoon. A decision that not only made Persoon leave the ring in tears, but the majority Brit/Irish crowd that had travelled to NY to see the fight even boo'd the decision or were left silent. There was almost no cheering. As a side note, a lot was done to ensure Persoon's preparations for the fight were disrupted once she arrived in NY. A lot of crazy things that happened to ensure she would not be fully prepared. I will be making a thread about this soon and I guess you will see how much undeserving Katie Taylor really is. On to the main event of the night, it was brilliant to see Eddie and his shills (especially on the Sky Boxing commentary team) sounding and looking dishevelled aghast and in disbelief. They have lost 4 world belts, an unbeaten record and many many millions that go with it. Also, they have lost the political power to demand higher percentages etc. They thoroughly deserve this and it can only be called karma. All great champions take a loss, and I believe AJ will definitely come back from this a better fighter. He has took this loss like a real man and a fighter. He gave Ruiz all credit and praise. He has said Ruiz was the better man on the night. This is the spirit of a real champ. I think he will come back and fight many fights, and he will lose again at some point, but this is what happens when you fight. Whatever his overall ranking is the history of heavyweight boxing right now, I am certain it will go up as his career progresses. Every great fighter takes a loss, what matters is how they take it and how they come back from it.
This is true. But they are more opportunists than "real" fans of the fighter they claim to be rooting for, although they may be fans of the sport.
Very classy and honourable. I respect AJ as I respect any other fighter. I think 99% of people are happy not that he lost, but that the political power behind him lost. Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Events, Sky Boxing, DAZN is where real. All the jubilation and celebration is aimed at their defeat and not AJ. Personally, I cannot wait to see AJ bounce back and show us all how great he can be.
The politics of boxing is there, but it's not always a sure thing who is talking crap and who is on the level. In this case I guess it's mostly about who is ducking who. Fans are often inclined to believe the loudest of the bunch or the best trash talker. That may be misguided, or it might not be. What's missing in boxing is a dictator at the top who says "X fights Z, and if he refuses he's champion no more." But that's stating the obvious of course.
