It's not that American fighters are always better than British fighters........

[kayjay]

I'm not resisting it, I'm just saying we're not quite there yet. So for the time being..........

Fair enough, but it's getting closer everyday.

It's only HBO's money that is keeping big fights here. When the Dubai venues pick up in two or three years, and internet production increase, then the "mecca" will be over . . . . or it will just be close to the actual city of Mecca

[Steak]

Depends how you look at that though, the Kessler fight in Wales sold like 50K tickets or something crazy if i'm not mistaken

thats a good point. maybe I should wait to see how well Hopkins-Calzaghe does first...

but from what Ive heard from UK posters, Calzaghe wasnt all that big even in Britain for a long time. and now that he is pretty big, hes heading over to Vegas. not because its America, but because Vegas has always been a spot for big fights.

[Mizzou]

Calzaghe is just an example.

This is about markets. The American boxing market isn't unequivocally the biggest anymore. At HW it is not here. Klitschko fights EVERY OTHER fight here in order to maximize his personal market. But Germany is where the money and the competition is.

It doesn't have to be here, and Dubai will certainly succeed Vegas before too long.

For you to encourage this piece of ignorance and nationalist hypocrisy is disappointing.


I'll tell you another thing: the best basketball players don't all play in the NBA. And they are not "unproven" for that reason. That market is being equalized as well.

I know the UAE is about the only middle eastern country with a progressive econonomy, but surpass Vegas, that is about as ******ed as saying all the best basketball players don't play in the NBA. I'd be interested to hear about these star basketball players not playing in the NBA. See when you are the best league, NFL, MLB, NBA, English Premier, whatever, they have scouts who get paid good money to go search and seek out the best talent. Then the bag them up with with fat contracts. Plus a great athlete always wants to prove themselves against the best competition. Sometimes this doesn't hold true in boxing. You fill in the blanks on that last statement.

[thegreatone1]

Maybe. Maybe Germany. Klit is fighting Thompson in Germany, will likely fight in Kiev before long and maybe Moscow. And ignorant Americans, my dear narrowminded compatriots, will complain that the fights are being held abroad.

We have to get over this "mecca" thinking. It's not true anymore. I love America b/c I'm American. But we're not the best at very much. And we are certainly not "the greatest country in the world," though they beat this myth into our heads as kids

Im sure HBO or Showtime would pick the fight up and im damn sure they wouldnt have it in Germany and neither would Haye.

As for the mecca thing i think its the legacy places like Las Vegas and MSG have behind them. Hatton said it was a buzz seing his name up in lights and when Joe went out for the Mayweather fight he was sold on the idea.

And lets be honest the Americans do it the best the hype, the razamataz, the celebs.

Hatton had Tom Jones singing his anthem so as they say........ Only in America.

[T-97]

If America was great how come Ali-Liston was the lowest selling HW itle fight ever while the fight with Foreman in Africa was huge and the third Frazier fight was in Manilla and thats another classic...

Also, he almost got knocked out by a Brit in the UK

So basically you can say whatever you want, a fighter is good or bad. Where they fight means nothing unless its a Sven Ottke thing where you always get rip-off decisions.

[kayjay]

I know the UAE is about the only middle eastern country with a progressive econonomy, but surpass Vegas, that is about as ******ed as saying all the best basketball players don't play in the NBA. I'd be interested to hear about these star basketball players not playing in the NBA. See when you are the best league, NFL, MLB, NBA, English Premier, whatever, they have scouts who get paid good money to go search and seek out the best talent. Then the bag them up with with fat contracts. Plus a great athlete always wants to prove themselves against the best competition. Sometimes this doesn't hold true in boxing. You fill in the blanks on that last statement.

Have you seen the hotels and casinos they're building? I tell you it makes Vegas look like Deadwood, SD.

Most of the best basketball players are still in the NBA. I said "not all" of the best are anymore. And as the Spanish and Italian leagues continue to grow it will even out.

You follow soccer (football)? The EPL is not like the NBA. The best socce3r players are dispersed throughout many leagues, with three specific leagues holding the larger shares. Basketball will be more like this after awhile, which is a good thing. I love pro basketball but it could live without David Stern's fascism.

[T-97]

thats a good point. maybe I should wait to see how well Hopkins-Calzaghe does first...

but from what Ive heard from UK posters, Calzaghe wasnt all that big even in Britain for a long time. and now that he is pretty big, hes heading over to Vegas. not because its America, but because Vegas has always been a spot for big fights.

You are right on that, because he had bad managment early in his career which meant his first 22 fights were not televised, or only clips were. He only really got on TV when he went with Warren. That is the truth and not just me defending him.

[thegreatone1]

If America was great how come Ali-Liston was the lowest selling HW itle fight ever while the fight with Foreman in Africa was huge and the third Frazier fight was in Manilla and thats another classic...

Also, he almost got knocked out by a Brit in the UK

So basically you can say whatever you want, a fighter is good or bad. Where they fight means nothing unless its a Sven Ottke thing where you always get rip-off decisions.

Firstly Ali v Liston no-one gave Ali a chance plus he joined a radical, racist group.

And the rest is money, why did Tyson fight Tubbs and Douglas in Japan? why because of money by the points in Alis and Tyson career they were a huge camodity. So after x amount of fights at home they went got paid huge amounts of money and sold their product.

[T-97]

Firstly Ali v Liston no-one gave Ali a chance plus he joined a radical, racist group.

And the rest is money, why did Tyson fight Tubbs and Douglas in Japan? why because of money by the points in Alis and Tyson career they were a huge camodity. So after x amount of fights at home they went got paid huge amounts of money and sold their product.

Yeah, but if America is this 'Mecca' surly they shouldn't need to..

I don't hate the US i just hate all the bias Americans here that discredit everything that comes from the UK.

[thegreatone1]

Yeah, but if America is this 'Mecca' surly they shouldn't need to..

I don't hate the US i just hate all the bias Americans here that discredit everything that comes from the UK.

Ok they had 90+ fights between them in America and only a handful abroad.

They were superstars there was a fresh market to be opened up they did it.

America is the mecca of big budget movies but the stars still go abroad to sell the product.