The argument that American Heavies are "in other sports"

Rationalization

 

Especially Dawson. The guy was being recruited to play collegiate level basketball. That should be a big enough sign that if we were to take the NFL and college ranks as 13 year olds and teach them how to box and develop them, by the time they were 30 we would have multiple champions. Perhaps the Klitschkos would still be top of the pile, but that pile would certainly be much better.

 

how exactly have they "civilized" the world

 

:rofl:rofl:yep ^^^^

 

Are you being sarcastic? I tend to be way too emotional when I post and regret a lot of things that I say.

I've been on a tirade against Wlad Klitschko recently and have also called out Mayweather in the past.

I tend to go overboard, which results in me either being banned or in my current situation where I'm unable to create threads.

 

I agree with you.

Thing is, the exact same thing can be said in any country these days, not just the US about boxing.

I grew up in New Zealand, live in Australia.

While our population base is tiny compared to the US, the major sports in our part of the world are the different footballs. Rugby Union, Rugby League, Aussie Rules, and Soccer (football football )

If you're anything like the size of a heavyweight boxer as a kid, you are going to be dragged into one of those sports quick smart. You'll probably be playing it at 5 years old, you'll play it all the way through school and afterwards. And there is good money to be made in all of them.

And exactly as you say. There is a much higher chance of "making it" in those sports than in boxing.

There are 5 "super 14" rugby teams in New Zealand (a series played between regional teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) alone, plus the local provincial competition. Those guys make from OK money (a decent wage) to great money if they make the All Blacks.

You're probably talking at least 150 guys making good to great money every season. How many NZ and Aussie boxers could hope to do that at heavy? Tua? Meehan? JIMMY THUNDER!!!!!


While there isn't the same ghetto situation in those countries - though there are some very poor parts, particularly in New Zealand - it's still a massive way for "poor" kids to make a lot of money.

I would say having a college system where athletic kids with no desire to turn pro, but no other way to get to college than to get a sporting scholarship, would drain even more potential fighters out of the system.

I really don't think this issue is unique to the US in anyway at all. I think that it's a natural side effect of boxing money being spread way too thinly. Too much gets paid to the top guys in PPV's, and not enough to those below them.

 

Wlad would be a superstar if he did not adopt a safety first way of fighting. I actually was a fan before the Sanders fight... but you cant blame him, he has a glass jaw. But if he had a more crowd pleasing style, there is no doubt in my mind that he would a superstar, as he was DEFINITELY on his way until Sanders... that much is certain...

 

all i get from this thread is bias americanism

 

I almost an embarrassed to be an American. Some of these yahoos using Shaq as an example. Shaq couldn't handle a good auto mechanic in a fight. He's been abused every time he's tried to mix it up in the NBA. And, NBA players can't fight at all. Worst fighters in any pro sport. Carmelo Anthony couldn't beat up Diana Turasi. The only sports that could maybe put a couple of guys in boxing are the NFL and NHL. Urlacher is the only guy that comes to mind that could do anything in boxing. Either way, the K's destroy all comers.

 

NFL is 54% black. Nice try. MLB is 9 % black, NHL is 2% black, NBA is 67% black if we want the true numbers.

 

Just suppose if the Klitscos never made a defense against an American HW, some of you would demand they prove themselves by fighting Chambers or Arreola. So the Klitscos have, now the excuse is the American HW are not good athletes as they are all in the NFL or NBA.

I believe the Klitscos would have beaten most of the past HW champions for the same reason the current NFL and NBA champions would have beaten the legendary teams of the past as athletes are bigger, strongers and better conditioned. You don't need to be a great athletes to be a boxing champion, that is why willingness to take punishment or the ability to take a punches is not a measurement of athletism. Just ask the toughest NFL/NBA player about getting in the ring with the Klitscos and you already know their response.

 

It useless arguing this point on this thread. Why cant people understand that faster and more 'atheletic' does not automatically translate to ATG. Again Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield. Would they cut it in the NFL or NBA? Seriously i'd bet some of those beasts you have in NFL would probably rip these guys a new one in stats.

 

Just got to this thread, but I beleiev they are. Hey if I was 6 feet or taller and weight 200+ pounds. I'll be in Football. ****ing Boxing. Theres a better chance I could make a good living in Football than Boxing.