http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/7711458.stm I owe my love of boxing to the likes of Hagler Hearns and Leonard in the 80,s and vague memories of Ali Frazier and Foreman in the 70,s and am saddened by the relative decline of US boxing. I thought this article was relevant and would like to see your opinions on this subject.I am hoping for a reasonable debate rather than the normal ESB namecalling and regional bias most threads suffer with lately. Boxing needs to be strong in the US if it to prosper worldwide.
USA (I dont say america because mexico and south america are also americans) boxing is on a sharp decline. theres 3 reasons for this. 1) The american economy has been so good in the last 30 years that there is no reason to go into a sport that could end up killing you. 2) Boxing has gone from being a beloved sport in the USA to a 3rd rate joke of a sport behind all other major sports. I liken boxing to about the interest of soccer in the USA, few people care. Sports in the USA is dominated by the big three, Football, basketball and baseball. 3) Boxing in other countries has seemed to gain more popularity, especially since the former European/Asian USSR countries have joined the professional ranks along with smaller asian countries. This in additon to number 1 and 2 equal a weak US boxing scene. But, all that said the USA is still very competitive in many weight classes in the professional ranks and still have p4p figheters.
:good i might also want to add the rise of UFC most kids now get all excited over Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and flying knee strikes that the sweet science is no longer appealing... its become a more violent generation...and with the HUGE number of American fighters with big names that have now shown very stale performances...many people turn their backs to the boxing scene... DLH is no longer respectable for numerous scandals... Mosley isn't the same flashy fighter he used to be Hopkins is ALWAYS boring no matter what he accomplishes Mayweather is retired... all the biggest names are gone or just not the same...and unfortunately for the sport...all the exciting fighters are poorly promoted to the general public...maybe if Boxing moved to mainstream TV you might see a resurgence of interest again...
Thats a pretty good article but I don't think it has everything to do with the economy. Boxing has been on the decline here for years and I believe a lot of it has to do with matchmaking, pay per views, and just a loss of interest. UFC is attracting younger kids and wrestling of all ****ing things has been popular for years. Younger Americans would rather watch jackasses in tighs fight in rigged fights so that says it all. Boxing is harder and takes more dedication and pays much less than other sports so our athletes take the easier way to make money. It's a lack of work ethic. Europeans are on rise now because they are hungry and train like world champions should. Look at our heavyweights- they eat themselves out of fighting same and all these fights at catchweights allow fighters to come in at a weight that doesn't suit them. A lot of young Americans are punks and would rather shoot somebody than learn how to fight or even lose a fight. Brits are always good for throwing hands like it used to be done in the old days and should be done now. There used to homor in fighting win lose or draw now kids are just pussies scared to catch an ass whoopin. Luckily when have a handfull of old school fighters like BHop that will hopefully inspire a younger generation. Thats my opinion.
