My father-in-law used to laugh at me for watching so much boxing. If it was being televised I was watching it. He just couldn't understand it. My response was it is the only sport where anything can happen. You can have the most gifted, undefeated fighter in the sport KO'd by a total unknown. No other sport offers this. Also, my father, who boxed when he was younger, used to feint punches when he was watching a match on TV. Not on purpose, he couldn't help it. He was that into it. It was fun to watch. So, it is the spectacle of the unknown. Why are you drawn to boxing?
I used to watch the Rocky Movies on and endless loop when I was younger because we couldn't afford cable and I loved them. I was probably like 6 or 7. Then one day my uncle came in, and said "What Are You Watching". I replied "Boxing" he says to me, that shits not boxing. Get dressed, Im gonna take you to watch boxing tonight. And we went to his friend's house and they put on Mayweather-Corrales. he said to me "watch closely, you gonna see boxing tonight" And I just stood there amazed. Been watching the sport ever since. And Shannon Briggs is my uncle's close friend too. So that helped. It's the most competitive sport in the world. Two guys. No Substitutions. No Timeouts. Just go and showcase your skills.
At its best, as well as being a match-up of two highly-skilled athletes who are using their brains to think 2,3,4 moves ahead of their opponent - it's competition at its most primal. It's man against man, in a violent contest where the stakes are higher than any other spot. They're putting their lives on the line every time they compete and, for all the beauty and science of boxing, it's as close as we can get to gladiatorial combat. It also reveals a man's true character. Anyone can act or talk tough but when you're in a fight and things are all going against you, who you really are will come to the surface.
I like how strategic it is and also the unpredictability aspect of it. Castillo corrales rd 10 is a great example. Chico was on his last legs and came back and won in a matter of seconds. No other sport can offer that big of a swing in a matter of moments. A blowout in other sports don't change in moments, in boxing, they can. I also feel that the best boxing fights trump the best football games, basketball game, etc. The best Super Bowl doesn't compare, to me at least, to the above mentioned fight, or Barrera vs morales or many other great fights. The only other sport that rivals it is a major soccer match. They are the other two sports that consistently have me standing up screaming at the tv.
Something about the simplicity of it all ,with only four different punches, and two contestants coming together to create a sport that is more strategically deep ,in my opinion, than 11 on 11 football. At first you think you're watching a simple fight but, when you realize the endless complexity to come out of something with so little parts, you're hooked.
Another aspect I find fascinating is when you look at two guys who appear equal in size, weight, persona. Then you put them in the ring and one blows out the other. Kovalev is a great example of this. Looking at him he appears no different than any other fighter, but he clearly has more power than other guys his size. I know some will say it is technique, and that may be a big part of it, but it seems like there is more to it. Tito was another one.
Used to go to huge fight parties with my parents when I was 4-6 yrs old. Remember how crazy/ excited everyone was for the De la Hoya/ Vargas fight. I was rooting for Oscar cuz my Mom was haha been hooked ever since that fight.