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You know, I had this problem with my roommate a few years back. Boxing is always more fun when you have another fan to watch it with, have discussions, make in-fight observations, etc. So we both began watching boxing around the same time, I felt he was a good boxing fan like I had become over the years, and we began to watch boxing together.
What I quickly noticed was that if a fight could not end in a KO he was not nearly as interested. Unless there was the threat of a knockout, or a huge media hype job, his enjoyment of the sport was not there. This puzzles me. Can you like boxing if you ONLY like seeing people get put down?
I've seen the same attitude you're speaking about from my roommate reflected here. These people who watch the sport avidly, or so you think, and yet only seem to value the big punchers or the fights that end in knockouts. It's a casual fan mentality. You can't see masterful counter punching? How about amazing speed? Ring generalship means nothing? Aren't there guys like Mayweather that just put you in awe watching them go to work? Doesn't sheer boxing skill keep you entertained?
People watch sports for that exact reason - to be entertained- and I think many people have the mentality that if there's no one getting knocked out a fight isn't entertaining. I guess a good example of this is the upcoming Wright-Hopkins fight. Most likely no one will be knocked out. No one will get demolished, or hurt- it'll be a chess match. Is something wrong with watching two of the most recognized fighters of our generation fight intelligently and with skill? To see, in this match of minds and fists, who can figure the other guy out and win? I'm not saying this is the most anticipated fight for me....but I feel like I'd be betraying the sport to not be interested. Many people see the prospect of 12 solid rounds between Winky and Bernard as a snooze fest. I see it was a possible exhibition of talent.
So, yes, some people are all about the rough, unskilled brawlers like Miranda. Now, don't get me wrong, I like the guy. I do. I like his fighting spirit - but I don't see how ANYONE GAINED respect for him after getting his ass whooped this weekend. He lost hard. I put brawlers and punchers in a different category than boxers- men like Wright and Mayweather whom will rarely shovel out a KO but can often impress me with their skill. The flood of Pavlik and Miranda fans here display the weakness of many people- their blood lust for a KO that overpowers all other desires in their viewing of the sport. So we rip Mayweather and pat guys like Miranda and Pavlik on the back - because many are simply obsessed with power. Power isn't the end-all, be-all of boxing. It's one exciting element in a sport full of skill, art, and technique. We need to appreciate the latter three aspects rather than just punching power.
What I quickly noticed was that if a fight could not end in a KO he was not nearly as interested. Unless there was the threat of a knockout, or a huge media hype job, his enjoyment of the sport was not there. This puzzles me. Can you like boxing if you ONLY like seeing people get put down?
I've seen the same attitude you're speaking about from my roommate reflected here. These people who watch the sport avidly, or so you think, and yet only seem to value the big punchers or the fights that end in knockouts. It's a casual fan mentality. You can't see masterful counter punching? How about amazing speed? Ring generalship means nothing? Aren't there guys like Mayweather that just put you in awe watching them go to work? Doesn't sheer boxing skill keep you entertained?
People watch sports for that exact reason - to be entertained- and I think many people have the mentality that if there's no one getting knocked out a fight isn't entertaining. I guess a good example of this is the upcoming Wright-Hopkins fight. Most likely no one will be knocked out. No one will get demolished, or hurt- it'll be a chess match. Is something wrong with watching two of the most recognized fighters of our generation fight intelligently and with skill? To see, in this match of minds and fists, who can figure the other guy out and win? I'm not saying this is the most anticipated fight for me....but I feel like I'd be betraying the sport to not be interested. Many people see the prospect of 12 solid rounds between Winky and Bernard as a snooze fest. I see it was a possible exhibition of talent.
So, yes, some people are all about the rough, unskilled brawlers like Miranda. Now, don't get me wrong, I like the guy. I do. I like his fighting spirit - but I don't see how ANYONE GAINED respect for him after getting his ass whooped this weekend. He lost hard. I put brawlers and punchers in a different category than boxers- men like Wright and Mayweather whom will rarely shovel out a KO but can often impress me with their skill. The flood of Pavlik and Miranda fans here display the weakness of many people- their blood lust for a KO that overpowers all other desires in their viewing of the sport. So we rip Mayweather and pat guys like Miranda and Pavlik on the back - because many are simply obsessed with power. Power isn't the end-all, be-all of boxing. It's one exciting element in a sport full of skill, art, and technique. We need to appreciate the latter three aspects rather than just punching power.
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