US Boxing Bias - Worst In The World?

[javelin_fangs]

I've been discussing Joe Calzaghe in another thread, and the usual accusations of UK bias were raised by US posters, I think US posters sometimes neglect to realise quite how biased they themselves are, here are my thoughts on the subject:

Americans are worse than the rest of the world when it comes to overestimating their own fighters, although I accept that this can often include boxers who box out of America too, and include Mexicans, Puerto Ricans etc.

It's not so much national pride that you have, more a belief that the entire world of boxing is basically the US and an at times amazing disregard for other fighters. Virtually every single elite fighter you have, once they pass a certain point in their careers is acclaimed as a legend, no matter how often they actually lose. Look at Hopkins, Jones, Winky, Trinidad, Toney, even Tarver! At times US fans act like these guys never lost a fight in their life,
continually saying, your guy will never beat my amazing legendary legend (even though he's lost his last two fights!)

You certainly don't extend this incredible willingness to forgive defeats to non-US and particularly European fighters. Every loss by a European proves beyond all reasonable doubt that he is a bum!

So its not UK style national pride that you have exactly, more a huge and overweaning national sense of entitlement and presumed superiority, combined with an almost wilful disregard for the achievements of boxers from any other nation.

Not trying to stir anything up, just saying!

Well, especially between about 135 - 175, I think for the most part, the calibre of boxing in the US is higher than the rest of the world. But as soon as you get to about 160+ Europe is very competitive with the US.

So, while there is bias on both sides that just give all the more justification for more competition between different countries to see who has the best fighters. Calzaghe is clearly the top 168 lbers and possibly the best at 175.

[abadger]

im not saying Haye's record is better im saying if that if that guy feels Joe has ducked people u cant really get on his case because he is a Haye fan cause Haye is the undisputed World Champ after 22 fights & he is probably one of the most exciting fighters out there today ,he is more than likely the biggest Hitter ,thats the point is was trying to make

to trash Haye because he does not like Joe is not fair as Haye is only early in his career & is already proving himself after 22 fights

Oops. He said it to Jim Jeffries, not you, sorry. Anyway Haye has done well, but his resume is nowhere near Calzaghe's so it seems strange that he is trashing Calzaghe, but likes Haye. Same thing with Witter and Hatton. I think its bizarre.

[tyson]

How many professional boxers are there? 3200 or so?

How many of them are american? Around 2500?

[Dynamite Kid]

I am not from the US or from the UK. I have noticed bias towards European fighters and I am guilty of it myself at times. For instance so many built up Calzaghe vs. Kessler as some sort of super fight when in my opinion, due to politics in the game and behavior of many promoters over there, they both just seemed unproven to me. I refuse to attach a label of greatness to either one of them as they just have not done enough.

Hatton though has fought on the world stage. He has shown that he is a tough SOB to beat. Many will not admit it, but he gave Mayweather hell in there until he got frustrated. He simply fought a bad fight, but I still respect him as a fighter. I tip my hat to the guy for willing to actually seeing where he stands.

It is not always about winning. Boxing is about proving your worth on the world stage by fighting the best. Win or lose, you then gain my respect. Many European guys have refused to do so. Does that make me a hater? I don't think so at all. This is why Joe and Mikkel have a long way to go before I give them props. Nothing against them, but I am not going to praise them either.

i dont have a biased towards European fighters but i do think they get disrespected waay to much ,my favourite fighters are non Europeans BTW Cotto , i prefer the style of American fighters more but that dont mean i think it is right and proper the way some fans trash European fighters

[deanrw]

So basically, only fights in America, against American opposition are enough to make you give a fighter props? This is exactly what I'm talking about in this thread.

Also, Calzaghe just beat Hopkins in vegas, is that not good enough for you, or was Hopkins, I'm guessing, too old?

Hopkins was too old three years ago when Taylor beat him. It works both ways also. Do I consider Malignaggi to be the guy at 140? hell no. He even fought Cotto but to me, Hatton is the guy to beat at 140. When he gets in there and fights Hatton, there we will see where he currently stands.

I am from Canada. So many people praise Bute. I think Bute is a protected asshat as all he fights are retreads and he fights out of my own country.

So many praise Steve Molitor, who is also from my Country. But he is not champion in my eyes. He may have an alphabet belt, but until he gets in the ring with the De Leon's, Vasquez and Marquez's of the world, he is nothing resembling a champion, only a prospect.

it has nothing to do with bias. it is about taking the tough route instead of the easy route and getting in the damn ring and proving your worth. Plain and simple.

[Dynamite Kid]

Oops. He said it to Jim Jeffries, not you, sorry. Anyway Haye has done well, but his resume is nowhere near Calzaghe's so it seems strange that he is trashing Calzaghe, but likes Haye. Same thing with Witter and Hatton. I think its bizarre.

how is that strange

it is damn near impossible for Haye's career to mirror someone who has nearly twice as many fights & thats got nothing to do with Haye ducking people its to do with the simple fact Joe has been a Pro longer u are comparing a veteran to a young Pro with 22 fiughts it should be commonsense that his record is gonna be inferior

Floyd Mayweather was'nt undiputed Champion after 22 fights niether was Roy Jones JR

[abadger]

Hopkins was too old three years ago when Taylor beat him. It works both ways also. Do I consider Malignaggi to be the guy at 140? hell no. He even fought Cotto but to me, Hatton is the guy to beat at 140. When he gets in there and fights Hatton, there we will see where he currently stands.

I am from Canada. So many people praise Bute. I think Bute is a protected asshat as all he fights are retreads and he fights out of my own country.

So many praise Steve Molitor, who is also from my Country. But he is not champion in my eyes. He may have an alphabet belt, but until he gets in the ring with the De Leon's, Vasquez and Marquez's of the world, he is nothing.

it has nothing to do with bias. it is about taking the tough route instead of the easy route and getting in the damn ring and mixing it up. Plain and simple.

Nothing terribly wrong with anything you say, and I for example, do not rate Haye, since he has not really beaten anybody. The bottom line is that Hopkins was the LHW champ and Joe beat him, Joe's resume is fine, it would be better if he'd fought Jones and Toney, but in reality they'd moved up by the time Joe had made that kind of name for himself. I still don't see how Calzaghe can be overrated when there is no-one to pick above him at SMW and LHW.

[Dynamite Kid]

Hopkins was too old three years ago when Taylor beat him. It works both ways also. Do I consider Malignaggi to be the guy at 140? hell no. He even fought Cotto but to me, Hatton is the guy to beat at 140. When he gets in there and fights Hatton, there we will see where he currently stands.

I am from Canada. So many people praise Bute. I think Bute is a protected asshat as all he fights are retreads and he fights out of my own country.

So many praise Steve Molitor, who is also from my Country. But he is not champion in my eyes. He may have an alphabet belt, but until he gets in the ring with the De Leon's, Vasquez and Marquez's of the world, he is nothing resembling a champion, only a prospect.

it has nothing to do with bias. it is about taking the tough route instead of the easy route and getting in the damn ring and mixing it up. Plain and simple.

i agree Vasquez ,Marquez but Ponce De leon

he looked awfull against Penalosa & i thought he lost to Ecobedo , i think Steve Molitor would beat him to slick for De Leon he is easily outboxed he has power but he thrwos wide punches

[abadger]

how is that strange

it is damn near impossible for Haye's career to mirror someone who has nearly twice as many fights & thats got nothing to do with Haye ducking people its to do with the simple fact Joe has been a Pro longer u are comparing a veteran to a young Pro with 22 fiughts it should be commonsense that his record is gonna be inferior

Floyd Mayweather was'nt undiputed Champion after 22 fights niether was Roy Jones JR

I see what you're saying, but Haye hasn't beaten the kind of opposition Calzaghe has had to to get his belts has he? Ergo it seems strange to like one but dislike the other because of his (better) resume. It seems more a motivated choice than an objective assessment, which, of course, he is perfectly as entitled to make as I am to disagree with it.

[I AM...]

Apart from Witter and Haye I don think there are any boxers to talk about from the UK.All the talk about UK boxers is just national pride.

Honestly I dont understand how many UK fans gave Ricky Hatton a chance against Mayweather to the extent of saying Ricky was a pound for pound best fighter.Same thing with Joe's padded record,

Padded?? your not serious?? yes hopkins was a one off win mate....not! kessler was past his peak...oh wait no he wasn't. i think your just being ignorant there. I will admit he has only fought 3 times away from home and had a lot of fighters who weren't really a challenge for his but the major fights he has pulled off and beat whoever has stepped up to the plate, he's moved up a weight and conquered. Padded? i think not...maybe just soft in some parts...that i will agree with. As for being biased i don't know how to put my own opinions. I know that a lot of american judges base a fight on aggression and not how solid defense is or good footwork with solid phasing shots. But us brits may be tempted to give the home man a decision, who knows? I'd say we're both biased at times.