To me.... all i need is to see this fight to know how much boxing has fallen. Taylor vs Pavlik Both undefeated.... Both American... for the Undisputed Middleweight Championship of the world... Pavlik being a white undefeated power puncher. The boxing scene in america gets me low sometimes... :-( Joe C can draw huge crowds and massive attention over in europe for fighting Peter Manfredo... but Pavlik vs Taylor 1 and 2 cant make as many ripples as it should here... :--| Am i the only one that gets embarresed and saddened by the following behind US boxing???
If you've been a boxing fan as long as I have, you're used to it. In fact, I've seen boxing slip all the from the semi-mainstream status it had in the Ali era, to the niche sport it is today. And, of course, it was even BIGGER before that. Boxing has been declining for a long time. The only question is whether it goes even lower.
It is sad, but I think the fact that Jermain Taylor was the champ had something to do with the lower ratings. Of course boxing's decline was a major factor, but also that Taylor as champ put up some horrifically boring title defenses also drew people away from both Taylor - Pavlik fights. You just never really know what to expect from that guy. I think Pavlik is already starting to become a much more loved champ than Taylor ever was.
It's not just about the fan's, aren't the promoter's responsible because the sell the fight to the venue that offer's the most money.
