Why does a fighter's personality matter so much?

[ßringer]

This is a question that's plagued me for a while. Why does a fighter's personality matter so much to fans and critics alike? Do we not watch boxing to see great fighters fight each other? How come everytime there's a discussion about any particular fighter, someone always has to bring up his personality and ramble about how much of a "****" they are?

First of all, I don't think any fan is at liberty to comment on any fighter's particular personality traits unless they have met them in person before. Secondly, even if it's a figure as public as someone like Mayweather who has no problem boasting about his accomplishments and flaunting his wealth in public.

Still, fighters fight. And that's what we watch boxing for, to see great fights. Not ***** and moan about how X fighter said something you didn't agree with in an interview 2 years ago. Or what one rival fighter said about another rival fighter (like Barrera and Morales or Pacquiao) years ago.

Just a question.

[MJ406]

Honestly your 100% correct .. these guys are professional boxers

they box for a living.

who gives a **** about what they do in their personal life?

or what they act like on camera

they are boxers ... not politicians.

it shouldn't matter what they say outside of the ring, only in it

what they do in the ring effects their legacy as a boxer a HELL of a lot more than a boxers personality for example.

[SkillspayBills]

A persona sells a fight and garners not only attention but money. It's the differene between a rich fighter and a great fighter. Sometimes the best don't always get there just do because..............well.................they are dull. That being said I couldn't care less about how you act outside the ring, as long as you conduct yourself like one inside of it.

[ßringer]

A persona sells a fight and garners not only attention but money. It's the differene between a rich fighter and a great fighter. Sometimes the best don't always get there just do because..............well.................they are dull. That being said I couldn't care less about how you act outside the ring, as long as you conduct yourself like one inside of it.

I agree but a bad personality can sell a fight just as well as a good personality. Take Mayweather for example being the "bad guy" against Oscar. I'm sure that a good percentage of those who bought the fight just wanted to see Mayweather lose, and would pay almost anything to do so. On the other hand, Oscar's "good guy" personality also sells a lot of fights. It's a two sided coin, but a lot of people make it to be one sided.

It's always either the guy is an ******* or he's too nice.

[SkillspayBills]

I agree but a bad personality can sell a fight just as well as a good personality. Take Mayweather for example being the "bad guy" against Oscar. I'm sure that a good percentage of those who bought the fight just wanted to see Mayweather lose, and would pay almost anything to do so. On the other hand, Oscar's "good guy" personality also sells a lot of fights. It's a two sided coin, but a lot of people make it to be one sided.

It's always either the guy is an ******* or he's too nice.

That fight made 2.2 mill. Thus, these boxers abilities didn't get them all that attention (although it more than helped) their personalities and abilities to garner attention had all those fans shelling out 55 bucks to watch a fight. It shouldn't be that way but that's how the world is, drama sells my friend, drama sells.

[Derranged_]

I think personality matters in any sport; would we have loved the Bulls as much if Michael Jordon wasn't as charistmatic? IDK, but it sure helps. (BTW mind the short posts, I'm stoned )

[ßringer]

That fight made 2.2 mill. Thus, these boxers abilities didn't get them all that attention (although it more than helped) their personalities and abilities to garner attention had all those fans shelling out 55 bucks to watch a fight. It shouldn't be that way but that's how the world is, drama sells my friend, drama sells.

Agreed. I thin kMayweather/Hatton will likely do as many buys as Oscar/Mayweather, maybe even more since Hatton is undefeated and has such a large fan following. It's just boring and repetitive whenever I or someone else tries to discuss a fighter's resume or record intelligently, only to have someone run in and start with the personal attacks. As if they actually know the fighter in person.

I guess fighters are supposed to be immune to mood swings.

[Wiley Hyena]

I agree but a bad personality can sell a fight just as well as a good personality. Take Mayweather for example being the "bad guy" against Oscar. I'm sure that a good percentage of those who bought the fight just wanted to see Mayweather lose, and would pay almost anything to do so. On the other hand, Oscar's "good guy" personality also sells a lot of fights. It's a two sided coin, but a lot of people make it to be one sided.

It's always either the guy is an ******* or he's too nice.

When a fighter makes a statement publicly he is doing it for public consumption. The public therefore has the right to adjudge that fighter on those statements. But, I agree as to what a fighter may do in his private life, unless it ends up going public, such as a criminal act, etc....

[SkillspayBills]

When a fighter makes a statement publicly he is doing it for public consumption. The public therefore has the right to adjudge that fighter on those statements. But, I agree as to what a fighter may do in his private life, unless it ends up going public, such as a criminal act, etc....

Or crossdressing and having bi-***ual orgies. Sorry, I couldn't let this thread go past 1 page without even a small mention of that.

[MJ406]

The Media spins things

sure the public can judge boxers on what they say .. but at times its made too big a deal of.

thats how the media makes stories . .by blowing things outta proportion, granted there is truth to the stories, but sometimes they stretch it a bit.

but I always found it dumb .. especially the whole "good guy" "bad guy" this isn't a Hollywood movie here (implying that the bad guy either winds up in jail or dead)

but the above is also an angle for the media to spin .. boo so and so, because he's the "boxing villain"

meanwhile his opponent steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

granted it isn't taken to that extreme .. but I find the whole "good guy/bad guy" stuff particularly ******.

this is real life here.