Boxing?

[DaveSavesTheDay]

Is boxing still popular?

I used to watch it was back when (think Lewis vs. Tyson) but I never see it on TV anymore.

Has UFC/MMA/Pride replaced its popularity or am I just not looking in the right places?

[DaveSavesTheDay]

The last decade has witnessed a continued decline in the popularity of boxing in the United States, marked by a malaise in the heavyweight division, though the sport has grown in Germany and Eastern Europe and is currently strong in Britain. This cultural shift is reflected in some of the changes in championship title holders, especially in the upper weight divisions.
The light heavyweight division was dominated in the early decaded by Roy Jones, Jr., a former middleweight champion, and the Polish-German Darius Michalczewski. Michalczewski held the WBO title, which increased in prestige in recent years, while Jones held the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, two of which had been relinquished by Michalczewski. The two fighters never met, due to a dispute over whether the fight would be held in the U.S. or in Germany. This sort of dispute would be repeated among other top fighters, as Germany emerged as a top venue for world class boxing.

The most famous German-based boxers were the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, both of whom won versions of the heavyweight title. The Klitschkos are often depicted as representing a new generation of fighters from ex-Soviet republics, possessing great size, yet considerable skill and stamina, developed by years of amateur experience. Most versions of the heavyweight title are held by fighters from the former Soviet Union.

Since the retirement of Lennox Lewis in 2004, the heavyweight division has been criticized as lacking talent or depth, especially among American fighters. This has resulted in a higher profile for fighters in lower weight classes, including the age-defying middleweight and light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins, and the undefeated multiple weight division champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr., who won a 2007 split decision over Oscar de la Hoya in a record-breaking pay-per-view event. Perhaps unfairly billed as the "fight to save boxing", the success of this event nonetheless shows that American boxing still retains a considerable core audience when its product is of descent from the American continent.

Other notable fighters in even lower weight classes are experiencing unprecedented popularity today. In the last five years junior lightweights Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales have fought numerous times on pay-per-view. Light welterweight Ryan Plested has enjoyed tremendous popularity in Britain, especially after his defeat of long-time champion Kostya Tszyu. Lightweights Jose Luis Castillo and Joel Casamayor share the spotlight with Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao. These small fighters often display tremendous punching power for their size, producing exciting fights such as the incredible 2005 bout between Castillo and the late Diego Corrales.


Got my answer :)

[Ghoul Hustler]

Boxing has definitely been overshadowed by MMA, but it's still alive. It's on one of the ESPNs everyday for a few hours.

[P1MP_METAL]

boxing is fun to watch






http://i30.tinypic.com/s15k3s.jpg

[8ight8all]

Honestly boxing hasn't been fun to watch since before Tyson went to jail. We need another once in a generation dominant fighter like him again.

[Squirrel]

Boxing is still hugely popular, worldwide. It declined in the early 90s up until about 2 years ago, now its on the up again and its getting huge.

2 years ago boxing was never on here [the UK], now theres fights on one of our mainstream channels every 4-6 weeks, that, coupled with attendances reaching 20,000+ shows how far its come back.

It looks set to get better too with great boxers in numberous weight divisions on the up. Nobody fighters are getting tv time on undercards, good fighters are getting more interest, great fighers are getting names for themselves, and fantasic fighters are becoming legends.

I'm biased cause i LOVE the sport, its my passion and my life, but objectively its coming back, fast and big.

No way is it overshadowed by UFC, MMA etc, theyve rising in popularity in boxings deficit but they will never replace them, its too much of a 'novelty'.
Even people who hate boxing will take an interest in a huge fight, and plenty of people who dont watch it get hooked after a good one, that just doesnt happen with MMA.

[JamminJimmy]

Don't watch the sport , but the rocky movies were amazing.

[Ghoul Hustler]

Honestly boxing hasn't been fun to watch since before Tyson went to jail. We need another once in a generation dominant fighter like him again.

Tyson was an idiot. Pretty much a streetfighter.

[jarhead12343]

Don't watch the sport , but the rocky movies were amazing.
I see the movie rocky on t alot.. I guess that counts as boxing being popular still.

[Squirrel]

Tyson was an idiot. Pretty much a streetfighter.

He had phenomenal technique backed up by incredible speed, precision, timing and power. In his prime he was arguably the best the sport has or will see. His stamina back in the day was incredible, he could have fought with his immense workrate for well over 30 rounds.

He was a truly fantastic fighter who was also very exciting to watch.

He was however plagued by personal problems which were the end of him, he was also beaten by those who weren't afraid of him.

I just think 'streetfighter' is an odd choice of words, but youre entitled to your opinion obviously.

[2muchket!]

You post this about a few months after Hatton Vs Mayweather which is arguably the biggest fight in the last 10/20 years.

Joe Calzaghe is on the way to becoming a lengend and Khan is a rising star (althought slightly overrated) and overall boxing is having an immense revival.

[Squirrel]

Khan is very over-rated tbh, though im enjoying an English boxer in the limelight.

Hatton/Mayweather was huge, Hatton did fantastic given the circumstances; he only lost cause he didnt have his english breakfast that day :p

[2muchket!]

Hahahah true

If you need any other proof that boxing is still huge Hatton has nearly (I believe) sold out his fight at the City Of Manchester Stadium which has a capacity of around 47,000 + Plus seats that'll be put on the pitch.

That and we've got the prospect of De La Hoya v Mayweather II at Wembley :D

[Squirrel]

The winner of which will apparently fight Hatton in spring 2009 in Wembley.

Got Calzaghe vs Hopkins in 2 weeks, should be immense.

Hatton fighting in May.

Khan fighting in June.

Haye fighting in November, will be great to see him fight at heavyweight again.

Then the possible Tyson Holyfield 3 in December, im dubious about it but interested none-the-less.

[Rams]

Boxing is going to be pissed when their 3 draws finally leave from brain damage. Tyson v Holyfield 3? Are you serious? I don't get why they don't try to hype up some of their younger fighters who are actually still good and not continuous rehashing of Roy Jones, Holyfield, Hopkins, Tarver, and every other boxer over 80 years old.

[Squirrel]

They do, you obviously seem to be out of touch with the boxing world and go by what you hear on some mainstream news channel or sth.

Anyway, 'they' arent hyping it at all, its only been the fighters and promoters talking it, everyone else either doesnt care or thinks its a dumb idea.

[Rams]

They do, you obviously seem to be out of touch with the boxing world and go by what you hear on some mainstream news channel or sth.

Anyway, 'they' arent hyping it at all, its only been the fighters and promoters talking it, everyone else either doesnt care or thinks its a dumb idea.

I guarantee it will get more pub than Cotto pounding on some club fighter. I mean the Holyfield v Ibragimov got more pub than just about every fight that wasn't Mayweather.

[Squirrel]

Of course it will, they've cemented legacies and built fans over years. They're more known, they also fighters of that elite caliber that make even non-fans tune in to watch a match.

It doesnt reflect their skill, just the potential draw.

[Ghoul Hustler]

He had phenomenal technique backed up by incredible speed, precision, timing and power. In his prime he was arguably the best the sport has or will see. His stamina back in the day was incredible, he could have fought with his immense workrate for well over 30 rounds.

He was a truly fantastic fighter who was also very exciting to watch.

He was however plagued by personal problems which were the end of him, he was also beaten by those who weren't afraid of him.

I just think 'streetfighter' is an odd choice of words, but youre entitled to your opinion obviously.
Honestly, I just don't like the guy. He never seemed great outside of his energy and heart. I saw him as a cocky brawler who completely forgot about being a respectful guy in the ring.

[Rams]

Honestly, I just don't like the guy. He never seemed great outside of his energy and heart. I saw him as a cocky brawler who completely forgot about being a respectful guy in the ring.

He had phenomenal punching power and technique plus he was always willing to get in close to punish his opponent. He was a great boxer before he went completely mental. He's probably the last interesting HW I've seen, except mild interest in the side show known as Valuev.

[Ghoul Hustler]

He had phenomenal punching power and technique plus he was always willing to get in close to punish his opponent. He was a great boxer before he went completely mental. He's probably the last interesting HW I've seen, except mild interest in the side show known as Valuev.

Yeah, his stopping power was pretty incredible indeed.

[MattSharpIsCool]

Tyson in his prime was a great fighter. One of the fastest throwing heavyweights of all time, and every punch had power behind it.

There are still some good fighters out there. Boxing's popularity has definitely diminished in the last 20 years or so but I still love it. The heavyweight division isn't great but there are plenty of good fighters in other division.

Check out the Kelly Pavlik-Jermaine Taylor fights. Awesome.

[Squirrel]

Honestly, I just don't like the guy. He never seemed great outside of his energy and heart. I saw him as a cocky brawler who completely forgot about being a respectful guy in the ring.

Fair play, as much of an idol as he is to me, I have to agree to an extent.

In his prime he appeared mild mannered and rather placid, then in the ring he was like a caged tiger. However, after his decline he seemed to completely lose the plot, technique out of the window and he became, as you say, just a brawler.

He think he gave no respect cause by then he had no respect.

[guitarded_chuck]

I'd say that boxings has lost some popularity the last 10 or more year and it's partially due to how popular MMA has gotten. A lot of people I know find boxing boring now since they are into MMA.

I still like them both. In fact I am probably more interested in it because MMA/UFC have gotten me into the fighting sports.

[Squirrel]

Boxings decline and the rise of MMA arent related other than the resurgence of boxing has been delayed by the popularity increase in MMA.

Only a week and a day to go til Calzaghe fights B-Hop :D

[2muchket!]

Boxings decline and the rise of MMA arent related other than the resurgence of boxing has been delayed by the popularity increase in MMA.

Only a week and a day to go til Calzaghe fights B-Hop :D

Is it on PPV or Sky ?

[Squirrel]

Setanta are showing it I believe, and you can stream that on the net if you don't have access to it.

[2muchket!]

I see. Deffo gunna have to watch that

[Interstate]

Looking forward to watching the Hopkins/Calzaghe fight, starts in about an hour or so (hopefully).

[Ghoul Hustler]

'Should be awesome.

[Interstate]

Calzaghe took it on a split decision. Although it was a close fight, Calzaghe threw more clean punches, the most punches landed by any fighter on Bernard Hopkins in his professional career, which says something about Joe's speed. Hopkins claimed several low blows during the fight & was given ages to recover by the referee after he claimed one particular one. His craftiness didn't pay off although he still fought a good fight.

[2muchket!]

I was gutted when he knocked him down in the first round like. Didnt like the way he kept grabbing Calzaghe as well.

All in all I think he deserved the win tho' he did indeed throw more clean punches.

[Squirrel]

Was a fantastic fight, edge of the seat stuff the whole way. Hopkins is known for his rough and dirty fighting but last night he was taking the piss a bit. That and his two awful excuses to have a break kinda highlighted his age.

I was seriously thinking Joe was down and out of there in the first round but he came back in style, taking the mid section of the fight then hotting up in the latter. It was obvious hopkins just couldnt keep up with the pace that joe was setting and he got a good serving in the final two rounds. Joe did well to keep his composure having lost the first third of the fight to bring it level then rack on some more points later to bring in the win.

[Ghoul Hustler]

Dammit Squirrel, i'm on a Tyson binge now. :p After looking back on him in a positive way, he's a lot more amazing than I remember.

[Squirrel]

Good stuff :D I love the guy but I accept the critisism he gets and I totally understand why he gets it.

Hit up youtube and check him out bulldozing Trevor Berbick for this first title, plus his two fight with Frank Bruno, they're a good watch.

Check these 2, well made with some good material:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ycjY3Yu-NQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEYXVoX7s5Y

[Cesar21]

So what are the expectations for the Cotto- Margarito fight?

I think Cotto has the upper hand, but Margarito should make it very difficult for him.

[UserNamesSuck]

Boxing is still here. In my opinion its the best sport to be involved with. Other than all of the corruption. Which has killed the sport for many decades. Many of the great fighters of the past decade (Mosley, Mayweather, Hopkins, De L Hoya, Wright, Trinidad, etc etc) are reaching retirement and there isnt really any new up and coming fighters that are goin to take over the spotlight.

Boxing isnt all about the heavyweight division. All of the great talent is in the smaller weight classes any ways.

So all and all, boxing is going to suffer for a few years.

[Squirrel]

I agree to an extent, and agree entirely on the HW comment. The heavyweights had their two reigns - the era of Holmes, Ali, Foreman, Frazier etc, then the late 80s and early 90s with Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis etc [arguably bridges with tyson bulldozing berbick]. Nowadays its so stale and dull, its both laughable and embarrasing. Hopefully David Haye will shake the division up a bit, though taking on James Toney [apparently his plan/in the works] may be a bad idea ..

We've still got some good fighters out there with a bit left in them; Cotto will be about for a while [im sure his defeat wont change matters too much], Hatton says he'll be about til 2010 [though based on his fight with lazcano he certainly looks beatable nowadays], Mayweather will come back im certain [i reckon 2 more fights], Pavlik is about, Taylor has some good fights on the horizon, good to see Roy Jones back for a couple of decent fights.

Youre right about how we may well suffer, but i think theres a couple of years before that happens; im thinking/hoping the olympics may change that and bring out some new talent.

That and i hope amir khan actually turns into a half decent boxer at some point, wont hold my breath though ...