Who is the most popular fighter in the history of boxing?

You've read ma post wrong, mate. My first words were 'Naz was infamous', weren't they! He received plenty of mainstream attention.. but I meant COMPARATIVES (I don't think he got the attention that Ricky got...advertising aside).

Naz was more marketable & a better advertising tool. (that milk advert was classic! "throw it out the window" lol). He had charm & charisma!

However, I still say Ricky pips him in terms of POPULARITY. As I said, think of it in terms of how many non-boxing fans knew who Naz was vs. how many know who Ricky Hatton is. World-wide.

I said Lewis has a good case for being the best British boxer of all-time. Not being the most popular! Though after re-reading your post.. I read it wrong.. I thought I'd read Hatton cerainly isn't 'the best' british boxer ever.

My bad, though!

 

Prime Creed > Balboa & Lang. :bbb
(Creed was Shot in the first Rocky fight)

 

notice how I said not just Mexico, the US or Britain.

Chavez was HUGE in Mexico & indeed as you said, America...

but outside of that.. he wasn't. Many British fans will have known him because we, like Mexico & America, are considered a 'boxing nation'.

Outside of that, though... how many people on the European continent & in ASIA knew who Chavez was?

 

Ali.

 

I think a good question is who WILL be the most popular out of the next generation currently building their careers.

I'd say in America & Mexico, probably: Victor Ortiz.

Worldwide, I think... probably Amir Khan.

(though who wins when they do eventually meet could have a huge impact on their future-draws!)

 

Ali

 

well i see what you are saying but the truth is that the numbers that really matter are those of the boxing nations, because with all due respect the few people from say china, japan, russia, etc don't compare at all to say that of the US, Mexico, Brittain, Puerto Rico, and a few other true boxing nations. if you have at least 2 of the big 4 boxing nations conquered that's all you need.

 

A tie between Tyson and Ali.

 

To be a huge-star, yeah that's all you need. But one of the most popular in history you gotta be touching places where others don't really make an impact (continental Europe, Asia, Australia!).

I do feel though if Chavez had the modern Media outlets available to him (cable-TV, internet... specialist sports channels WORLDWIDE.. not just in the West & rich-Asian countries) then he would clearly have pipped Hatton & Pacquiao.

 

who will be the most popular non-English speaking star of the new generation?

Donaire vs. JuanMa, right?

I gotta call JuanMa, mind you!

 

yeah but hatton is a more appreciated fighter for say the europeans and pac for the asians, JCC was the same for the latinos, just as there was not very fans of chavez in europe or asia as you have said, there not very many hatton and pac fans in latin america, this is do in part because people tend to follow their own.

and i do agree about the more modern media outlets being a big factor.

 

Ali is to Boxing as Elvis is to Rock and Roll
Immortal Icons of their profession