Why?

Tyson stopped training and went to back to the street after the Spinks fight, he was a shadow of his former self against Bruno in '89 and beyond. Nigel Benn was the hardest hitting middleweight there's been and I've never seen a more exciting fighter. Nothing quite like being at a Benn fight. If you disagree, I'll find your address, stalk you, and wait for the right time to pounce, tie you up, throw you in the back of the car, get you to an empty building and torture you to death - sloowly.. Okay?

arturo gatti is my hero. he inspires me to never quit, work thru pain, never back down from a fight, try my hardest, etc. gatti gives me some1 to cheer for in this disgusting sport i hate to love. I can undestand getting passionate about a fighter. There are fighters I love to watch, and who I will rearrange my schedule to see, but when they lose, I can usually see why. I don't scream robbery, unless it's blatant ala Burton v Burton. I still have to wonder, though, if that was a robbery or the senile judges these days didn't know which Burton was which. I don't understand this blind loyalty that a few people on here show, though. That's what I'm questioning here. Why the passionate and incoherent defense of someone you don't know? How can you be so passionate about someone that you don't see their flaws?

arturo gatti is my hero. he inspires me to never quit, work thru pain, never back down from a fight, try my hardest, etc. gatti gives me some1 to cheer for in this disgusting sport i hate to love.

Without passion, a sport isn't that exciting to be a part of. With passion comes emotions like angre, enjoyment, sadness. Liking a sport is easy to do and is a hobby for most. Personally, I don't get that passionate about sports because I think there are other things that you could focus a lot of your time on that could help you in your real life. But some people choose to let it become a part of their life and that is great. Life is short, do what you enjoy. It's also sometimes an escape if your own life/reality is shit...if people started to really look at their lives, the people and the shit around them, they would probably go fucking crazy...they would see that they are getting bent over and fucked in the ass by the rich and sold lies, at least for the most part. There was a program I watched on the History channel that stated this: Rome built the Coliseum for a reason: they would bring in the poor and the middle-class to help butter up their ego...when someone is killed in the "games", the crowd would think to themselves, "At least I am not that guy, my life isn't so bad, I'm still alive." When somebody wins that they like, it makes them feel better because they are trying to live in the person's own enjoyment. But agree with someone else's post about they are the "Warriors"...a lot of people are pussies, but these guys aren't...it helps boost some people's confidence in themselves believe it or not...without guys like these, those willing to stand up and fight, those willing to lead, the majority would never fight back. Same reason why people love "America": it is the idea, it is the ability to dream, it is the ability to escape persecution and live your life the way you want...Fighters fight for their "Freedom" if you will, they fight for a better way of life, they fight despite the risks. People do have to stop getting caught up in all hype because what they don't realize is that they are investing to much of their energy, and it is easier to start to take advantage of such people...while they are watching their event, others are stealing their lives.

There's something I don't understand. I've been a fan of boxing all my life. I remember watching The Rumble in the Jungle, Ken Norton breaking Ali's jaw, The Thrilla in Manilla, the great era of Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Mancini, Duran, the rise and fall of Tommy Morrison as a legitimate contender. I remember the newly formed IBF, and I remember when IBF came to stand for Indicted By Feds. I remember a young Tito struggling for recognition even when he was the longest standing Welterweight champ. I remember Matthew Saad Muhammad winning the Lightheavy belt in a brutal drubbing of Marvin Johnson, then defending it 9 times over a 2-1/2 year period (where are guys like that nowadays?) before losing it. I could go on, but my list of memories would take weeks to write out. In more than 30 years of being around boxing, not once did whether a fighter I have rooted for winning or losing have any impact whatsoever in my life. Becuase of that, I find it hard to get passionate about whether a fighter I like wins or loses. The only time in recent memory was the outright robbery (a term used too freely on these boards) of Emmanuel Augustus. Though I like Augustus, it was the clear hometown decision not the loss that got my dander up. If you've held with me thus far, I'm finally getting to the question. Why do people seem to care so much about what others say about their favorite boxer(s)? Does this in some way affect your paycheck? Does someone's contrary opinion in some way cause your mother to be gang raped? From the reactions of some people on this board, it has to be something like that. Most of these fighters you defend so angrily, and often incoherently, wouldn't cross the road to piss in your mouth if your teeth were on fire, so why do you care so much when someone criticises them, legitimately or not? Why does the opinion of someone you don't know about someone you will never have dinner with matter so much? The world wouldn't be interesting if there weren't die hard fans to defend their teams/sportsmen/whathaveyou against naysayers. That's the best answer I can think of. I think it's very natural to be passionate about sports teams and athletics in general. Although you are addressing a more specific topic, I just thought I'd put that out there. I don't understand the violent, steroids-esque over-reactions either, but everyone is different. Good topic vb.

Same reason when you watch a movie, you want the "hero" to be the hero... In boxing, like any other sport, fans pick their own heroes and want them to succeed. Some years ago, I went to the Meadowlands arena in NJ to see this knight show.. even though they were not real knights and we were not really their fan, regardless, each seating section wanted "their" knight to win the tournament. The same reason when you get a cab in NYC, you want YOUR driver to be faster than the other taxi drivers. When someone cuts him off, you get pissed off.

There's something I don't understand. I've been a fan of boxing all my life. I remember watching The Rumble in the Jungle, Ken Norton breaking Ali's jaw, The Thrilla in Manilla, the great era of Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Mancini, Duran, the rise and fall of Tommy Morrison as a legitimate contender. I remember the newly formed IBF, and I remember when IBF came to stand for Indicted By Feds. I remember a young Tito struggling for recognition even when he was the longest standing Welterweight champ. I remember Matthew Saad Muhammad winning the Lightheavy belt in a brutal drubbing of Marvin Johnson, then defending it 9 times over a 2-1/2 year period (where are guys like that nowadays?) before losing it. I could go on, but my list of memories would take weeks to write out. In more than 30 years of being around boxing, not once did whether a fighter I have rooted for winning or losing have any impact whatsoever in my life. Becuase of that, I find it hard to get passionate about whether a fighter I like wins or loses. The only time in recent memory was the outright robbery (a term used too freely on these boards) of Emmanuel Augustus. Though I like Augustus, it was the clear hometown decision not the loss that got my dander up. If you've held with me thus far, I'm finally getting to the question. Why do people seem to care so much about what others say about their favorite boxer(s)? Does this in some way affect your paycheck? Does someone's contrary opinion in some way cause your mother to be gang raped? From the reactions of some people on this board, it has to be something like that. Most of these fighters you defend so angrily, and often incoherently, wouldn't cross the road to piss in your mouth if your teeth were on fire, so why do you care so much when someone criticises them, legitimately or not? Why does the opinion of someone you don't know about someone you will never have dinner with matter so much? ......Good question, and I don't really have an answer. I'm guilty of getting too emotionaly involved with my favorite fighters and my favorite sports teams. In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't meant shit to my life though. When my favorite fighters are in the ring I'm as nervous as a one legged man in an ass kicking contest and I can't even sit down. Talking to the screen, yelling at it, kneeling in front of the T.V. etc. etc. etc. I think it has to do with being a competitor, an athlete, and a passionate person. Laid back people don't have the same problem for sure.

people tend to root for the fighters they respect and admire. an attack on their fighter is an attack on their character. I get more passionate about Louisville sports (football & basketball) than boxing because not only do I go to school there, my family has been fans their entire lives. it's a lot harder to get attached to a boxer, I would say. Unless of course you live in a city where your college team or teams suck.

There's something I don't understand. I've been a fan of boxing all my life. I remember watching The Rumble in the Jungle, Ken Norton breaking Ali's jaw, The Thrilla in Manilla, the great era of Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Mancini, Duran, the rise and fall of Tommy Morrison as a legitimate contender. I remember the newly formed IBF, and I remember when IBF came to stand for Indicted By Feds. I remember a young Tito struggling for recognition even when he was the longest standing Welterweight champ. I remember Matthew Saad Muhammad winning the Lightheavy belt in a brutal drubbing of Marvin Johnson, then defending it 9 times over a 2-1/2 year period (where are guys like that nowadays?) before losing it. I could go on, but my list of memories would take weeks to write out. In more than 30 years of being around boxing, not once did whether a fighter I have rooted for winning or losing have any impact whatsoever in my life. Becuase of that, I find it hard to get passionate about whether a fighter I like wins or loses. The only time in recent memory was the outright robbery (a term used too freely on these boards) of Emmanuel Augustus. Though I like Augustus, it was the clear hometown decision not the loss that got my dander up. If you've held with me thus far, I'm finally getting to the question. Why do people seem to care so much about what others say about their favorite boxer(s)? Does this in some way affect your paycheck? Does someone's contrary opinion in some way cause your mother to be gang raped? From the reactions of some people on this board, it has to be something like that. Most of these fighters you defend so angrily, and often incoherently, wouldn't cross the road to piss in your mouth if your teeth were on fire, so why do you care so much when someone criticises them, legitimately or not? Why does the opinion of someone you don't know about someone you will never have dinner with matter so much? why do you care to write this? :-)

Without passion, a sport isn't that exciting to be a part of. With passion comes emotions like angre, enjoyment, sadness. Liking a sport is easy to do and is a hobby for most. Personally, I don't get that passionate about sports because I think there are other things that you could focus a lot of your time on that could help you in your real life. But some people choose to let it become a part of their life and that is great. Life is short, do what you enjoy.

There's something I don't understand. I've been a fan of boxing all my life. I remember watching The Rumble in the Jungle, Ken Norton breaking Ali's jaw, The Thrilla in Manilla, the great era of Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Mancini, Duran, the rise and fall of Tommy Morrison as a legitimate contender. I remember the newly formed IBF, and I remember when IBF came to stand for Indicted By Feds. I remember a young Tito struggling for recognition even when he was the longest standing Welterweight champ. I remember Matthew Saad Muhammad winning the Lightheavy belt in a brutal drubbing of Marvin Johnson, then defending it 9 times over a 2-1/2 year period (where are guys like that nowadays?) before losing it. I could go on, but my list of memories would take weeks to write out. In more than 30 years of being around boxing, not once did whether a fighter I have rooted for winning or losing have any impact whatsoever in my life. Becuase of that, I find it hard to get passionate about whether a fighter I like wins or loses. The only time in recent memory was the outright robbery (a term used too freely on these boards) of Emmanuel Augustus. Though I like Augustus, it was the clear hometown decision not the loss that got my dander up. If you've held with me thus far, I'm finally getting to the question. Why do people seem to care so much about what others say about their favorite boxer(s)? Does this in some way affect your paycheck? Does someone's contrary opinion in some way cause your mother to be gang raped? From the reactions of some people on this board, it has to be something like that. Most of these fighters you defend so angrily, and often incoherently, wouldn't cross the road to piss in your mouth if your teeth were on fire, so why do you care so much when someone criticises them, legitimately or not? Why does the opinion of someone you don't know about someone you will never have dinner with matter so much? great post karma given

I think another reason is because their "favorite" fighter usually is their way of earning extra money themselves by placing bets on him...when the fighter loses, you lose thats the only reason i get pissed off myself

You're not going to get a truly rational answer to the question, but it's along the same lines as people being rabid fans of a football team, basketball team, etc. Or the same thing that caused half the crowd in the Colusseum in Rome to root for one gladiator while the other half rooted for someone else. It's just the way it is.

They represent the inner warrior in all us men. They represent the shot or chance that maybe we were to scared to take or couldn't take because of of obligations and responsibilities to others. They represent our communities, cities, countries, and people. We live and die with these warriors because we believe that as they prosper, so do we. We do not gain riches or respect for following, but we do get the inner-sense that one of OURS did it.

I think another reason is because their "favorite" fighter usually is their way of earning extra money themselves by placing bets on him...when the fighter loses, you lose

i know where you're comin from mate and some fans just care so much about their favourite boxers even though they know that most are cocky fuckers but thats what fans are, they show loyalty and respect even though some boxers dont because most of the time the fans are the better person that the boxer in terms of attitude e.t.c

huh? I haven't seen that movie in years. "C" was crying about how Joe D. made Mantle cry, so he threw out all of his Joe D. cards..."Sonny" asked "C", "Why should you be upset about that, Mantle isn't going to care if you can't pay your rent, so why care about him"....something like that, though I could be way off since I haven't seen the movie in a long time either, lol

You get the idea from "A Bronx Tale"? huh? I haven't seen that movie in years.

I'm not sure, I guess that people like fighters because they somehow identify with them, and when someone else says something about the fighter, the fan somehow perceives that as being personally directed at them. I agree we shouldn't care, but many do. agree Plus, when a fighter gets ripped off by the judges that is an injustice...you wouldn't want to work hard only to be screwd out of a future

Nascar and footbal fans do the same thing. One time me and a friend were sitting in his parents' living room and his big brother was also there. They were watching a program about Vince Lombardi and they were all huge Green Bay fans except for my friend, who didn't know who Lombardi was. When he asked who it was, I told him that it was Buddy Holly and both his parents glared at me and his brother threatened to kick my ass lol