Why did America lose heavyweight dominance

So, were Joe Frazier, Leon Spinks, Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks supreme athletes outside of the sport of boxing? Where was all the talent then?

 

Are you kidding?

Those are below average marks. He was ordinary as a baseball player.

If your point is that he was good enough to play in the major leagues, okay.

 

I guess he did all right to even play in a sport which was only his third best after track and field and football.

He played just 289 games over six seasons. That's less than fifty per season. He was at best an ordinary major league baseball player.

 

This is probably pretty true, but how central is boxing to Australia these days?

I don't know at all, but my impression would be that it is pretty back burner stuff.

 

Because they after Tyson and Holyfield couldn't create a very good
undisputed champion with long carrier.

 

I'm sure if rugby and other sports like that weren't dominating in Australia and New Zealand we would see them being a major player in heavyweight boxing

They have Joseph Parker, sonny bill Williams and in the am's they have jai opetia who qualified for the Olympics and heavyweight at 16 and David nyika who also looks good

 

Football, Basketball and baseball were very popular in the 1960's, 1970's 1980's, and 1990's. And the USA owned the heavyweight division in these decades.

Why the USA haws dropped off I think is below:

1 ) Better international competition.

2 ) Less quality boxing gyms.

3 ) Softer teenagers who are fat, and lazy.

 

That kinda sums it up.

 

Disagree, boxing became more global and instead of competing with a few countries you now compete with boxers from all kinds of backgrounds and upbringing.

 

:deal

 

Originally Posted by Mendoza View Post
Football, Basketball and baseball were very popular in the 1960's, 1970's 1980's, and 1990's. And the USA owned the heavyweight division in these decades.

Why the USA haws dropped off I think is below:

1 ) Better international competition.

2 ) Less quality boxing gyms.

3 ) Softer teenagers who are fat, and lazy.

Point #3 is the nail in the coffin. The work ethic and toughness were lacking the last time I went to a boxing gym.

I spoke to a trainer a few years ago on the topic. He said there are a few USA boxers who are gifted, but the international fighters are simply tougher, hungrier, and have a better work ethic. This is why a tier two international guys are beating teir one USA guys in tournaments.

The 2016 Olympic games are about a year away. I do not see any gold or silver medalists in the group from fly to super heavy. Perhaps 1-3 bronze medals can be won, which only retires winning the first two matches for the most part.