We need real fights, not exhibition matches

[Southpaw16]

You know what I've realised recently? Why the hell should we have to appeal to casual fans? As long as this is an olympic sport, there wil always be amateur fighters coming up and going into the pros. There will always be big fights made. Why do I care if my next door neighbour likes it or not? Why do I care whether or not MMA has more fans?

It has been said in this thread that we need cut heavyweights for the casual fan to get interested. If the casual fan is that ****** and misinformed, that they think a fighter's ability in the ring depends on their physique, I don't really want the sport to sell out to them. The next thing you know guys like Tye Fields and Duncan Dokiwari are going to be fed opponents and hyped up because they look intimidating.

[revs1227]

i agree 2 an extent that most ppl wanna see wars but i also agree that its a science as well as a sport and i admire ppl such as mayweather and roy jones boxing abilities which make fights equally exciting to me not just ppl punching n punching ..but then again im one of teh few real boxing fans on here lol jkk ..go watch mma or kfc if u wanna c less skillfull fights

[Southpaw16]

It might sound a bit cruel, but if a boxer is concerned for his "safety", then he shouldnt be a boxer. Everybody knows that there are risks that come with the sport. Its like a racecar driver driving conservatively because he is scared of crashing. It comes with the territory.

OK, racecar drivers shouldn't drive slow because they are afraid of crashing. Fair enough.

But should racecar drivers intentionally start driving their cars directly into walls again and again and into each other so the fans find it exciting and entertaining? If a racecar driver is skilled enough to win a race without ****ing their car around and injuring themselves shouldn't they do so? Or should they make sure there is one or two crashes in the race anyways so people "get their moneys worth"?

[toe to toe]

Boxing is not so much an art form but a fight game. People want to see the human spirit soar when faced against the odds. Usually the best in man comes out when faced with a real challenge that he dares to fight. This is what the fight fan pays for, not some art exhibit or some dancing-like-a- butterfly competition. The fight fan came to see two men actually fight, not waltz like they were choreographed or something. That is better seen in synchronized swimming or a ballet.

The problem with boxing now is there is actually more fight and drama in an NBA game than in a boxing match. When people are more inclined to watch ten men shoot a ball through a basket than a real fight between men, you cannot but help thinking that something is terribly wrong.

Agree?

the problem with boxing is we got to many cowards and businessman who are afriad to fight the best. if people only pay to see true warriors fight then we can get rid of all these cowards.

[deevel79]

OK, racecar drivers shouldn't drive slow because they are afraid of crashing. Fair enough.

But should racecar drivers intentionally start driving their cars directly into walls again and again and into each other so the fans find it exciting and entertaining? If a racecar driver is skilled enough to win a race without ****ing their car around and injuring themselves shouldn't they do so? Or should they make sure there is one or two crashes in the race anyways so people "get their moneys worth"?

Of course not. All i am saying is, before a racecar driver begins his career, he knows that there are potential risks that come with the sport. He could be the most cautious, skillfull driver on the track and still get into an accident. Does that mean that just because its a possibilty for the driver to crash and die driving, he should drive scared? If that's the case, then find another proffesion.

[Jim Jeffries]

to the mainstream audience we need big lean heavyweights that excite. i mean tyson and hoylfield were well cut. people don't wanan see some fat ugly ass mofo's punching each other.

the reason i say thsi is because some girl was telling me how funny it is to see small guys fight. if it was the real world they would get knocked out by a normal person. i think it's funny but she is right. to the main spirting audience they don't care about people like vasquez etc. also people need to be given opportunites in the world to box everywhere and fget the fan base. i mean ufc was in lnodon a few mnoths ago. its everywhere.

Yup, Wlad Klitschko is a fat dude, 6'6 1/2", 245lbs and as lean as they come.

[deevel79]

I guess it just comes down to preference. Some guys like to watch a Capoeira type boxing match, and some just prefer to watch 2 guys battle it out in a fight where both combatants put it all on the line. Those fans of the so-called "sweet science" have to understand that just because some guys aren't fans of fighters such as: Cory Spinks, Bhop, Winky, Floyd, etc.... doesnt mean that we're not "real" boxing fans. It just comes down to a matter of preference, and we "prefer" to see an actual FIGHT. Not a dance recital.

[joepal]

I guess it just comes down to preference. Some guys like to watch a Capoeira type boxing match, and some just prefer to watch 2 guys battle it out in a fight where both combatants put it all on the line. Those fans of the so-called "sweet science" have to understand that just because some guys aren't fans of fighters such as: Cory Spinks, Bhop, Winky, Floyd, etc.... doesnt mean that we're not "real" boxing fans. It just comes down to a matter of preference, and we "prefer" to see an actual FIGHT. Not a dance recital.

Very succintly put.

[-Hyperion-]

Yeah Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera sure gave us an awful exhibition match....

[joepal]

You know what I've realised recently? Why the hell should we have to appeal to casual fans?

I stopped at there. You are one mutha***ing idiot to say something like that.