How to boost popularity of lower weight classes?

I think Mares vs Leo Santa Cruz has he potential to shift some major attention to the lower weight divisions. That's what I'm talking' about. Or how about Mares and Cuellar? Aregentina vs Mexico? Good times. :boxing:

I think Mares vs Leo Santa Cruz has he potential to shift some major attention to the lower weight divisions.

I would like for Dan Rafael to let the bosses at ESPN know these little guys are fun to watch, and they need to be on Friday Night Fights and let Dan call the action with Paulie. This is what ESPN needs to do because Showtime and HBO won't.

They need a Barrera/Morales, Marquez/Vasquez type of rivalry to light the fire.

http://theboxingtribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/prince-naseem-hamed2.jpg magic carpet rides nobody does them anymore. ticket sales are down at featherweight.

Put an American or Brit down there that actually wins. Problem solved.

We hardly see them on the major networks or PPV. Imagine Gonzalez/Estrada II during a huge event. That would raise their profile considerably. It's really difficult to find the lower weight fights on tv. Most of us have to stream. Also it seems like they're bigger overseas and in Mexico. I think another issue is that there aren't any American stars at the lower weights. Therefore, they're not big in the US. agree. They are not really given a chance on the major networks. instead of having these inferior fights opening ppv and big Network events. why not have the elite small guys open the shows? love to see one of Brian Viloria wars on network tv

From an american perspective it's hard to keep track of the lower weights because they're just so small. We americans are literally huge people (tall & wide) and we identify with what's similar to us (race, size, background, etc.) as fans. Not many of us can identify with East asian and latin american grown men who are fighting at 118 lbs.

Something similar to the super six would be really good. Yeah. even if you just did the 4 best guys affiliated with TR and the 4 best Haymon/SHO guys on each network it would be great. You could literally do it on both networks, 4 fights each (winners and losers of 1st card fight on next card), bonus for winners of each fight and for the overall winner for what it would cost to do a Stevenson or Bhop fight. Hopefully this year.

I'd like to see HBO do a tourney with the TR guys and SHO put on the mares/LSC fight. I also hope show picks up Rigo fights and Gonzalez fights. Really all they need is prime time exposure. Great action at a fraction of he cost. It would seem to be a no brainer. Something similar to the super six would be really good.

I agree with everyone who posted network exposure will make them more popular. Some Great fights in the lower weight classes. I'm sick of trying to watch Telemundo not knowing what they're saying. I'm a fan of BEIN Sports. Great quality coverage of the smaller guys. They will be slept on until the fighters get network dates

Good thread. Anyways outside of a few marquee names above 140, I'm more concerned about the little dudes. They always (for the most part) make for compelling fights because they USUALLY don't spark eachother out. When the Darchinyans, and Naz's, and Nonitos etc surface it makes for even more exciting matchups. I say more tuneup fights for the leading guys. More knockouts if you notice they're all fed to the lions. That's what's so good man. An undefeated record there usually means you haven't fought anybody. They all take difficult fights early on.

The lower weight classes are a heavily overlooked gem in boxing. Very competitive, fast paced and lots of knockouts. They are starting to get more attention with the rise of guys like Roman gonzalez but what could be done to boost their popularity? I'd like to see HBO do a tourney with the TR guys and SHO put on the mares/LSC fight. I also hope show picks up Rigo fights and Gonzalez fights. Really all they need is prime time exposure. Great action at a fraction of he cost. It would seem to be a no brainer.

Put the champions/contenders on HBO/Showtime, and the prospects on FOX/ESPN/NBC. It's that simple, they need more TV exposure.

I feel the only way for it to work is for boxing to become more regulated, that guys who are worthy of TV time get on TV. Like if boxing was under one definite organization, they could have a boxing subscription channel worldwide. Hosting title fights on weekends, etc.

Good thread. Anyways outside of a few marquee names above 140, I'm more concerned about the little dudes. They always (for the most part) make for compelling fights because they USUALLY don't spark eachother out. When the Darchinyans, and Naz's, and Nonitos etc surface it makes for even more exciting matchups. I say more tuneup fights for the leading guys. More knockouts if you notice they're all fed to the lions. Never pay again for live sex! | Hot girls doing naughty stuff for free! | Chat for free!

they should just do a tournament

Shrink the US population. Using lasers.

Michael Carbajal was very mainstream. The lower weight classes just don't get the coverage that they used too. That's 1 fighter in how many years in terms of Flyweights it's just very rare to see, featherweights have it tough but not as much. Given the opportunity I think Roman Gonzalez can be a guy who can get the needle moving so to speak.

More exposure, has Roman Gonzalez for example even featured on HBO more than once if at all?? If you haven't got enough fights on the premium TV then there isn't much you can do. Look at how Golovkins popularity has surged since he has fought on HBO.