just a thought on this train of thought that you have to go to the states to prove yourself, why? it doenst make you a better fighter, and how many yanks come to europe to prove themselves to us brits etc? Why does JC have to go to america to prove anything? answer, he doesnt, and that goes for anyother euro fighter, of course it gives you better exposure, i appreciate that, and there is the money issue, but why do the yanks seem to think that your only a proved fighter once youve 'cracked' the states? load of **** if you ask me! end of rant!:yep
Think its about where the venue is. Ie football, your quality isn't proven unless you played in Europe. Once(if) the money will be bigger in Europe, the venues will change, and so will our perception on where one should prove oneself.
with football that is usually a step up in quality of opposition, my point is that if you fight the best in your division, in your home, it equals that of fighting away from home, how many times has PBF fought away? how many times did del la hoya? noone questions them!
ah well,you see, the US is considered the 'mecca of boxing', but as soon as a non-US boxer goes to the US and kicks the arse of a US boxer, he is considered 'lucky' or 'over-rated' "go figure" as they say in the 'mecca of boxing' :yep
A fair share of people believe that fighting US boxers is a step up. More often than not, this holds true. I don't think that PBF nor Oscar have tried to wrestle a belt from a Euro boxer. As far as I know, a great deal of non-US boxers have tried to land the fights in their home country mostly to know avail. IE JC-Hopkins. Don't worry the tide will change. Only to change once again.
The talent pool is deeper, that is proven, and universally recognized. There few elite fighters from across the world and many many Americans. As of late more international fighters have come into the picture but still by raw numbers Americans dominate.
You don't have to prove yourself to those that matter,ie the Alphabet santioning bodies, and more importantly The Ring magazine. It's merely an illusion created by mainstream American boxing fans that assume if they have seen very little of a fighter on tv,de facto, he can't be any good!!