"why isnt boxing as popular as it used to be?"

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by hitman6616, Feb 19, 2008.


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  1. hitman6616

    hitman6616 Active Member Full Member

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    its a simple question alot of people ask me when they get to know me and see my love for the sport. my answer usualy has something to do with the confusion over titles and weight classes,sometimes I'll give an answer more about the gradual slide in heavyweight talent, and every once in a while I'll simply answer that there arnt many really good american boxers anymore who are favorates to fans(guys like Hopkins and Mayweather though brilliant and wonderfull fights only seem to draw hate.

    there arnt any Joe louis's, no Marciano's, nothing like that.

    it seems to me as though the depth of...well all weight classes but especialy heavyweight really diminishes the publics view of boxing.

    interesting story from a while back:

    one of my friends were over to see a great fight wich was for the middleweight championship of the world. after the fight HBO announced that in a few weeks there would be another fight for the middleweight title. my friend asked"wait this guys fighting again?" no... I had to answer back about all the WBO-WBC-IBF-WBA non-sence and he lost interest....

    so whats your answer to it all?

    Why isnt boxing as popular as it used to be?
     
    hitman6616, Feb 19, 2008
    hitman6616, Feb 19, 2008
    #1
  2. BoardBULLY

    BoardBULLY Member Full Member

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    i think its the pussification of america.. plus lots of other hobbies to get into
     
    BoardBULLY, Feb 19, 2008
    BoardBULLY, Feb 19, 2008
    #2
  3. kg0208

    kg0208 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    That's part of it. I think not being on network TV hurts it here in the States. Boxers afraid of losing hurts (fans clamour for the big fights, then call the fighter exposed the second he loses).
     
    kg0208, Feb 19, 2008
    kg0208, Feb 19, 2008
    #3
  4. BigReg

    BigReg Broad Street Bully Full Member

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    Too many corrupt decisions, and too much suspicion of fixed fights. One of the things that attracts many people to a sport is gambling. No one wants to gamble on boxing if they think it's fixed.
     
    BigReg, Feb 19, 2008
    BigReg, Feb 19, 2008
    #4
  5. Farmboxer

    Farmboxer VIP Member Full Member

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    Very true indeed. Look at all the bad decisisons, they think fans are stupid, but they are not as stupid as the power-that-be in boxing think. Don King does not help it either. ABC's?!
     
    Farmboxer, Feb 19, 2008
    Farmboxer, Feb 19, 2008
    #5
  6. Tunney5

    Tunney5 Active Member Full Member

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    Nov 21, 2007
    The popularity has declined because of less media attention, since the heavyweight titleholders are not Americans.

    There needs to be an American version of Wladimir Klitschko or a new Mike Tyson come along.
     
    Tunney5, Feb 19, 2008
    Tunney5, Feb 19, 2008
    #6
  7. kg0208

    kg0208 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I just got in an argument with a friend who is an MMA fan who told me he doesn't watch boxing because it's fixed.
     
    kg0208, Feb 19, 2008
    kg0208, Feb 19, 2008
    #7
  8. Farmboxer

    Farmboxer VIP Member Full Member

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    Many decisions are either provincial or go to the promoter's favor.

    Another factor is the media is owned by the rich elite and their favorite sport it golf! A sick sport indeed.
     
    Farmboxer, Feb 19, 2008
    Farmboxer, Feb 19, 2008
    #8
  9. Asterion

    Asterion Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Too many sanctioning organizations and too many PPVs.
     
    Asterion, Feb 19, 2008
    Asterion, Feb 19, 2008
    #9
  10. Farmboxer

    Farmboxer VIP Member Full Member

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    Glad you mentioned PPV, Pavlik/Taylor fight cost me $60! Way too much.
     
    Farmboxer, Feb 19, 2008
    Farmboxer, Feb 19, 2008
    #10
  11. FRKO

    FRKO "A MAN" Full Member

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    Yeah.
     
    FRKO, Feb 19, 2008
    FRKO, Feb 19, 2008
    #11
  12. TFFP

    TFFP Guest

    Money is the main reason

    Even here in the UK, some of the big fights are PPV. Then the rest are on Sky which costs a monthly subscription, and Setanta which is another £10 a month on top of that

    Khan gets massive hype mainly because he is easily accessible to casual fans, because people can watch him on free TV. Despite his medal heroics he would have gone onto the back burner had he been hidden away on Sky

    ABC's/corruption are a long way behind. A hardcore fan will pay up no matter what. Casual fans which is mostly what you are talking about are interested, but not interested enough to part with their hard earnt cash
     
    TFFP, Feb 19, 2008
    TFFP, Feb 19, 2008
    #12
  13. Farmboxer

    Farmboxer VIP Member Full Member

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    Yes, it's getting out of control.
     
    Farmboxer, Feb 19, 2008
    Farmboxer, Feb 19, 2008
    #13
  14. Hermit

    Hermit Loyal Member banned

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    Bingo! At least for me. I don't get cable, let alone HBO and PPV. Pavlik brought my interest back. Youtube clips suck, but I can download some decent fights in better format.
     
    Hermit, Feb 19, 2008
    Hermit, Feb 19, 2008
    #14
  15. BigReg

    BigReg Broad Street Bully Full Member

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    Muhammed Ali also contributed to the decline in popularity.
     
    BigReg, Feb 19, 2008
    BigReg, Feb 19, 2008
    #15
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