A New Golden Age In Boxing

[Charles Martel]

I've never been so interested in boxing as I have been over the past year or so. That's because the sport has improved tremendously with the emergence of fine young fighters such as Kelly Pavlik, Mikkel Kessler, and Ricky Hatton.

I believe one of the reasons for the decline of the popularity of boxing is, the high-profile champions of recent decades have not been the kind of people most of us relate to.

How can we relate to someone like Mike Tyson? I cannot imagine myself biting off another man's ear, or raping a woman, or foolishly spending millions of dollars. What about Floyd Mayweather who shows absolutely no respect for any other fighter, calling the other contenders bums and clubfighters? That's not like me - if I was a boxer, I would be a good sport and respect my opponents the way Wladimir Klitschko does.

What I'm saying is the emergence of intelligent, likable fighters who think like we do and behave like we do - men of good character - is giving us people to root for! Boxing is a great sport and most people are potential fans - the sport's popularity could increase greatly right now, if the media would pay more attention to these fine athletes. We might even have a new Golden Age in boxing...Edited by: JD1986

 

[mrjohnnynofear]

The one thing that is starting to happen also is that the promoters are FINALLY seeing the light. They realize that now they have to work together to save the sport. Hats off to Frank Warren for getting the Calzaghe-Kessler worked out. He had to swallow his pride and the promoter for Kessler knew that he had to fight in Wales for it to happen. Previously, this would be unthinkable. Some of the other promoters are starting to see the light. Arum, Duva, even King (though he is still stubborn) are noticing that younger crowds are watching MMA fights more and more. Another thing is that fighters in Europe (Calzaghe, Kessler, Hatton, Klitschko, Mormeck, ect.), South America (Baldomir, Freitas), OZ (Tszyu, Darchiniyan), Asia (Pacquio), and Africa (Peter) are getting big attention and HBO/Showtime who at one point only showcased North American fighters are now going over the world to show good talent. Hope they continue with the good streak of fights.

 

[Guest]

I agree. So sick of the simian chest pounding monkey antics - the Clay-Alis, the Tysons, Jones, and all the rest.





ww

 

[Charles Martel]

Yes, I believe the child-like behavior of many of the heavyweight champions over the last several decades has been instrumental in the decline of the popularity of my favorite sport. Edited by: JD1986