Is the US really no longer a boxing powerhouse?

[jayjames616]

Originally Posted by JAB5239

The UK is on the rise in greater range of weight classes than most other countries. I think they'll surpass japan in the near future for top 10 ranked fighters and start closing ground on Mexico and the US. Their boxing scene has exploded in the last 20 years.

The UK does have a nice crop of young fighters coming up and they will be #3 soon but to me their fighters are mediocre other than Haye, Khan, Froch and possibly Brook. I don't want to sound harsh but to me they are the only world-class guys they have currently.

[Big Dunn]

at some level you are only as good as the results. US is not an amatuer/olympic powerhouse anymore. Professionally, US fighters will be ok because the money is here.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Originally Posted by JAB5239

I'm not even sure its fallen of as much as the rest of the world has improved to fight a pro style. Guys who are old enough to remember European heavyweight fighters from the 70's, 80's and even 90's will remember how they were very stiff and upright. I remember when the Soviets came over here in the early or mid 90's, their styles were very rigid and amateurish. Fighters around the world are just developing a more professional style today allowing them to get deeper in the mix. Its not like we have the market cornered on athleticism or toughness, those attributes will be found in every country around the world in spite of what some on here say.

You've put up some nice posts in this thread, Jab, but this is probably my favorite.

I made mention of something a couple of days ago. It was simply that, as other countries get further involved in boxing, the traditionally powerful boxing nations will lose some of their dominance. I think the U.S. and Mexico will be the top pro boxing countries as long as I'm alive. This is mainly due to population and interest in the sport. But other nations will continue to chip away at the U.S. and Mexico until their dominance has diminished to a more proportionate degree. It's natural.

[poet682006]

Originally Posted by JAB5239

Guys who are old enough to remember European heavyweight fighters from the 70's, 80's and even 90's will remember how they were very stiff and upright. I remember when the Soviets came over here in the early or mid 90's, their styles were very rigid and amateurish.

They still are stiff, upright, rigid, and amateurish: That's the perfect definition of a Klitschko. The difference is that the overall talent in the division has fallen off so badly that they're able to get away with it now whereas it would have gotten them starched in eras with better talent.

Poet

[Cutthroat]

I'm surprised boxing he US is doing so well in boxing tbh, nearly every single American kid that goes into boxing has a family member or relative that got them into it in the first place. RARELY does a kid go out and pursue boxing.

From age 4 or 5 we are allowed to join youth soccer/tee ball/little league baseball/gymnastics/youth basketball/flag football/swimming etc. out of school. By the time we are 11-12 years old nearly every single kid in America is allowed to play School basketball, football, tennis, soccer and baseball totally for free as long as we pass our classes. If we do well enough we have the opportunity to get our college education paid for through a sports scholarship, we're told this is possible from the time we are young and are encouraged by our peers.



Just recently we had 2 guys make the transition from football/basketball to boxing, Wilder and Mitchell who happen to be America's two brightest prospects.

Straight out of high school Wilder had dreams of playing for the University of Alabama, due to his newborn daughters medical condition he was forced to attend a community college.

In 2005 he started boxing for the 1st time ever, had just 5 amateur fights from 05-07, started boxing again in April 30th 2007 joining and winning Golden Gloves, he had like 17 fights that year, qualified for the Olympics and won Bronze America's lone medal in 08.

Mitchell was playing college football, quit due to injuries, stepped into the ring for the first time in his life at like 24, had just 10 am fights and is currently the 12th ranked HW in boxing and 3rd in the US.

Guys like Wilder and Mitchell are a dime a dozen in football and basketball, many of them fail to even make it pro.

[New England]

Originally Posted by jayjames616

The UK does have a nice crop of young fighters coming up and they will be #3 soon but to me their fighters are mediocre other than Haye, Khan, Froch and possibly Brook. I don't want to sound harsh but to me they are the only world-class guys they have currently.

the brits do send plenty of talented fighters over here, but the purely domestic british boxing scene is not littered with supreme talent.

i like their fights and i love their media, however. nothing beats a good limey dust up. when you've got two ham and eggers bleeding all over the place for 10000 pounds and bragging rights in north sheffield, it is bliss, and i give it my respect.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Originally Posted by New England

the brits do send plenty of talented fighters over here, but the purely domestic british boxing scene is not littered with supreme talent.

i like their fights and i love their media, however. nothing beats a good limey dust up. when you've got two ham and eggers bleeding all over the place for 10000 pounds and bragging rights in north sheffield, it is bliss, and i give it my respect.

lmao You said it, bro, you said it. Ha ha ha ha ha!

[Garcia's Dad]

What all these Europeans posters who revel in the demise of Americas dominance over boxing need to realise is that the sport as a whole NEEDS a thriving American boxing scene.

I understand you value your bragging rights deeply but if boxing in America is struggling, there's a kickback to the whole of the sport.

[JAB5239]

Originally Posted by New England

the brits do send plenty of talented fighters over here, but the purely domestic british boxing scene is not littered with supreme talent.

i like their fights and i love their media, however. nothing beats a good limey dust up. when you've got two ham and eggers bleeding all over the place for 10000 pounds and bragging rights in north sheffield, it is bliss, and i give it my respect.

I agree completely. I'm loving the British boxing scene at the moment.

[The Weebler II]

US boxing stays relevant at pro level because they can dictate venue, officials and opponents - the no. of overseas fighters getting robbed is growing monthly.

As long as the US dictates financially they'll always be relevant. If every US fighter had to travel abroad for big fights they would struggle.