Viva Mexico!
Cuba has alot of boxer but their government status is very hard to compete in the pro ranks
All the Eastern European fighters that you see now once the USSR broke up
In the UK there are only a few sports that could get 10 million plus figures on TV, since the 90's anyway;
Football, obviously very popular over here. In fact 20 million plus during the World Cup is not unheard of.
Snooker, perhaps not in a great state at the minute but during its peak had massive audiences on the BBC.
Boxing, 15 million people watched Benn vs Eubank all those years ago. 600K bought Haye vs Harrison which is outstanding considering our population.
These above sports could still be defined as the working class sports. Cricket, Rugby are big in terms of participants but would never get viewing figures around 15 million. Tennis is probably the biggest middle class sport.
At times Boxing is more popular then Soccer in Mexico.
It is 100% the most popular sport in Puerto Rico.
Boxing is #3 in Germany after Soccer and Tennis
Boxing is tied for #1 in Cuba with baseball
In terms of real sports(not car racing and pool) Boxing might be 5th in the UK after Soccer cricket rugby and track
Boxing is tied for 4th after the big 3 with a bunch of other sports in the USA
In Canada Boxing is tied for 2nd with a bunch of other sports after Hockey
Boxing is 3rd in numerous other latin american countries after Soccer and Baseball
Boxing is 4th in a few African countries after Soccer, Cricket and Track
At times Boxing is more popular then Soccer in Mexico.
It is 100% the most popular sport in Puerto Rico.
Boxing is #3 in Germany after Soccer and Tennis
Boxing is tied for #1 in Cuba after baseball
In terms of real sports(not car racing and pool) Boxing might be 5th in the UK after Soccer cricket rugby and track
Boxing is tied for 4th after the big 3 with a bunch of other sports in the USA
In Canada Boxing is tied for 2nd with a bunch of other sports after Hockey
Boxing is 3rd in numerous other latin american countries after Soccer and Baseball
Boxing is 4th in a few African countries after Soccer, Cricket and Track
Is boxing really big in the Phillipines, or is Pacquiao just big?
I heard Basketball is bigger than Boxing, there.
That's basically how it is in the Philippines.
Boxing and Basketball.
cuba...bar none, when the revolution is over people, especially americans will realise just how big it is. Been there a couple of times and it is huge there, along with baseball...amazing country.
Mexico also, and boxing is well followed and supported here in the UK.
Is boxing really big in the Phillipines, or is Pacquiao just big?
I heard Basketball is bigger than Boxing, there.
Aside from the current boxing champions, the Philippines has produced many champions such as:
Former World Boxing Champions
1. Francisco "Pancho Villa" Guilledo
World Flyweight Champion, May 18, 1923 - Jul 4, 1925
2. Benjamin "Small Montana" Gan
World Flyweight Champion, Sep 16, 1935 - Jan 9, 1937
3. Ceferino "Bolo Punch" Garcia
World Middleweight Champion, Oct 2, 1939 - May 23, 1940
4. Eleuterio "Little Dado" Zapanta
WBA Bantamweight Champion, Apr 24, 1940 - Jul 4, 1943
WBA Flyweight Champion, Nov 30, 1938 - Jan 1, 1940
5. Salvador "Dado" Marino
World Flyweight Champion, Jul 1, 1950 - May 19, 1952
6. Roberto Cruz
WBA Super Lightweight Champion, Mar 21, 1963 - Jun 15, 1963
7. Gabriel "Flash" Elorde
WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Feb 16, 1963 - Jun 15, 1967
WBC Super Featherweight Champion, Mar 16, 1960 - Jun 15, 1967
8. Pedro Adigue, Jr.
WBC Super Lightweight Champion, Dec 14, 1968 - Jan 31, 1970
9. Bernabe Villacampo
WBA Flyweight Champion, Oct 20, 1969 - Apr 5, 1970
10. Rene Barrientos
WBC Super Featherweight Champion, Feb 15, 1969 - Apr 5, 1970
11. Ben Villaflor
WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Oct 17, 1973 - Oct 16, 1976
WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Apr 25, 1972 - Mar 12, 1973
12. Erbito Salavarria
WBA Flyweight Champion, Mar 30, 1975 - Feb 27, 1976
WBC Flyweight Champion, Dec 7, 1970 - Feb 9, 1973
13. Rolando Navarrete
WBC Super Featherweight Champion, Aug 29, 1981 - May 29, 1982
14. Frank Cedeño
WBC Flyweight Champion, Sep 27, 1983 - Jan 18, 1984
15. Roberto "Bobby Berna" Bernardez
IBF Jr. Featherweight Champion, Dec 4, 1983 - Apr 15, 1984
16. Diosdado "Dodie Boy" Peñalosa
IBF Flyweight Champion, Feb 22, 1987 - Sep 5, 1987
IBF Light Flyweight Champion, Dec 10, 1983 - Oct 12, 1985
17. Rolando Bohol
IBF Flyweight Champion, Jan 16, 1988 - Oct 5, 1988
18. Tacy Macalos
IBF Light Flyweight Champion, Nov 4, 1988 - May 2, 1989
19. Eric "Kenta Sato" Chavez
IBF Minimumweight Champion, Sep 21, 1989 - Feb 22, 1990
21. Rolando Pascua
WBC Light Flyweight Champion, Dec 19, 1990 - Mar 25, 1991
22. Luisito "Lindol" Espinosa
WBC Featherweight Champion, Dec 11, 1995 - May 15, 1999
WBA Bantamweight Champion, Oct 18, 1989 - Oct 19, 1991
23. Jesus "The Hawaiian Punch" Salud
IBC Super Featherweight Champion, Jun 7, 1990 - Apr 18, 1992
WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Dec 11, 1989 - Nov 26, 1995
24. Manny "Cabalay" Melchor
IBF Minimumweight Champion, Sep 6, 1992 - Dec 10, 1992
25. Morris East
WBA Super Lightweight Champion, Sep 9, 1992 - Jan 12, 1993
26. Ronnie "Toy Bulldog" Magramo
WBF Minimumweight Champion, Sep 30, 1995 - Sep 29, 1996
WBF Minimumweight Champion, Jul 9, 1994 - Jul 8, 1995
27. William Magahin
WBF Welterweight Champion, Mar 25, 1995 - Oct 21, 1995
28. Eric Jamili
WBO Minimumweight Champion, Dec 19, 1997 - May 30, 1998
29. Joma Gamboa
WBA Minimumweight Champion, Dec 4, 1999 - Dec 6, 2000
30. Malcolm "Eagle Eye" Tuñacao
WBC Flyweight Champion, May 19, 2000 - Mar 2, 2001
31. Noel "The Eel" Tuñacao
IBO Minimumweight Champion, Mar 8, 2003 - Dec 16, 2003
32. Dindo "Diesel" Castañares
WBF Super Lightweight Champion, Dec 11, 2004 - Dec 11, 2005
33. Brian "Hawaiian Punch" Viloria
WBC Light Flyweight Champion, Sep 10, 2005 - Aug 10, 2006
34. Dondon "Supremo" Sultan
WBF Welterweight Champion, Nov 25, 2006 - Jun 23, 2007
With that list, I can say with confidence boxing is indeed popular in the Philippines.
But I have to agree with you, basketball is much popular. It is being played by kids in every street and available space in the country... I am a witness to that. Been staying here for 10 years with Pinay wife.
to watch it?
usa (you guys still sell million on PPV at times)
uk including Ireland
germany
mexico
to participate?
mexico
uk
+ most other European countries
NOT USA....the white kids all want to think they are UFC champs and the black kids play basketball and make millions..simples