The whole world used to stop and watch....

The sport is only for a few of us now. The reasons, and we all know them...

-Four or more champions per division X 16 weight classes equal hundreds of champions who aren't champions of anything.
-Screwjobs, screwjobs, and more screwjobs.
-Converted football and basketball players instead of real boxers who make a science out of it.
-No amateur programs and boxing not being taught in school due to our having a soccer mom culture in this country.
-Self perpetuating cycle of TV wanting nothing to do with boxing because of its decline, thus continuing the decline.
- Best champions from other countries.

A few other things that I missed, but there it is. No one cared about boxing in this the country when I was in highs school thirty years ago except for Tyson.

 

Let me give you guys an example of how important the heavyweight title was. On the evening Of January 22, 1973, we're all messing around in the living room and the TV was on. Suddenly, the announcer breaks in - usually with something like a head of state being assassinated or something to that effect. The announcer states in his stern tone, "We interrupt this program with a special sports bulletin. George Foreman knocked out Joe Frazier in the second round to win the heavyweight championship of the world. We repeat, George Foreman knocked out Joe Frazier in the second round to win the heavyweight championship of the world. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program in progress." We all looked around the room with our mouths open. Everyone knew who Joe Frazier and George Foreman was and we were astonished and couldn't wait to tell Dad when he came home with the news. Now, can you imagine anyone breaking in to scheduled programming with the news that Tyson Fury had upset Wlad Klitcshko? Or the average Joe even knowing who they were? That is how far this has deteriorated thanks to the multiple titles and multiple divisions we know today. The watering down of boxing has turned our sport into a "Who?"

 

Just missed the 70's & started getting interested around the Holmes v Spinks period. Tyson obviously bought a lot of interest & seemed to be in the non sport news an awful lot, although not for the right reasons. I think we missed out on a real golden period in the early 90's when he went to prison.

 

Indeed BC, the young uns will never realise how famous fighters like Ali, Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey were. All were without a doubt the world's most famous sportsperson in their day. Ali was claimed to be the world's most famous person which was pretty amazing.

In my opinion Iron Mike was the last heavyweight champ ( or boxer for that matter ) with that kind of fame.

In Ali's day the NBA & NFL were still minnows compared to the juggernauts they are today.

 

Perfect. Excellent post. And true.

 

Holmes was actually the last old time Heavyweight Champion of the World. Why? Because he was the last when there were only 3 channels on t v and no cable. Tyson was a cable fighter. Back during Larry's day and earlier, there were 3 channels and for instance, on for Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. on CBS TV, Muhammad Ali defends against 1976 gold medal winner Leon Spinks. On the undercard, Featherweight Champion Danny Lopez will defend his title against former champion David Kotey. There were 3 channels, so 1/2 the country watched. Plus EVERY newspaper and magazine covered boxing. It was a different world. There is a beautiful article out there about how HBO destroyed boxing and it is right. Keep the creme of any product from the people plus add 500 cable channel choices, internet etc and boxing dies as a main sport. Yes sir. You HAD to be there to understand.

 

I think you are right it has changed...several things have caused it

Splintering of the titles beyond WBA/WBC

Mainstream boxing on NBC/ABC/CBS saturday and sunday afternoon title fights are now on pay channels

Champion means lesser than a name

MMA

The bias of commentators cheapen fights

The transparent corruption of promoters

The champions and contenders are better known overseas these days which reduces U.S. visibility.

We as fans are not as kept in the dark about how dirty the business is.

Of course getting older changes some things but really we are waiting for the next exciting dominant champion...either it's Wilder or Joshua but one needs to emerge...neither have really captured the imagination of the public like a Lewis, Holyfield or a Tyson...the personality is not being marketed yet.

 

The big fights almost all being on very high priced PPVs also has hurt things.

 

EXACTLY! HBO especially became so terrible I finally cancelled all cable and got a firestick. Lampley and Kellerman I say good riddance to. They should be stoned to death at the MGM arena.. Mauro Ranaldo has orgasms over simple combinations. None have the balls to criticize there own network fighters. Objectivity is dead. They kill the viewer w/ their favouritism and know it all, condescending manner.