The reason for the decline of American heavyweights?

[abadger]

How about this?

There is no reason. It just happened. One day it will unhappen again.

Possible?

[VERSION1 (V1)]

But this has always been an issue with boxing. It's not like it has just started now...

boxing started to go down in the when other sports became more popular

[Johnny Rebel]

I don't buy the best American fighters being in "other sports" argument. It's far more likely they're playing video games instead of sports or trying to be a rapper or in prison combined with the decline in popularity of boxing in the States and the surge of boxing's popularity throughout Europe and the fall of the USSR. The "other sports" is just a cop out, nothing more.

[abadger]

I don't buy the best American fighters being in "other sports" argument. It's far more likely they're playing video games instead of sports or trying to be a rapper or in prison combined with the decline in popularity of boxing in the States and the surge of boxing's popularity throughout Europe and the fall of the USSR. The "other sports" is just a cop out, nothing more.

It does seem a bit like saying, we're not the best, but really we are.

[Pullcounter]

I have my own personal views on this, that I will share after I have gathered the general consensus of Americans as to why their nation no longer succeeds with the big boys.

I want this to be a thread that contains real, honest discussion, not hate on different nations/cultures.

The reason for the decline of American heavyweights is that boxing is a fringe sport in the USA and all the really gifted and talented athletes are playing in the nba or nfl.

[FUC_U_PAYME]

I don't buy the best American fighters being in "other sports" argument. It's far more likely they're playing video games instead of sports or trying to be a rapper or in prison combined with the decline in popularity of boxing in the States and the surge of boxing's popularity throughout Europe and the fall of the USSR. The "other sports" is just a cop out, nothing more.

coming from the guy who thinks hatton is P4P#4

let me ask you something why box and make 3 to 10 million for three fights when i can make 15 million to play upto 19 games per year or 82 plus nba and still make more the 85% of the boxer out today

[VERSION1 (V1)]

It does seem a bit like saying, we're not the best, but really we are.

no not saying that saying the money is in other sports

[WLAD OWNS]

The football excuse from Americans is pathetic....The basketball excuse is even more pathetic, basketball players are ******* and can't fight for ****

Eastern Europeans have other sports too, boxing isn't the main focus....MMA,hockey,soccer,basketball, rugby,strongman,athletics,sambo,wrestling,etc.

American big men have gone soft.

Eastern European big men are tougher, stronger, hungrier and more determined, that's the bottom line.

Eastern Europeans will continue to dominate for a very long time.

[Steak]

This is my favorite excuse. You think just because the guys are 200+ lb they can go join MLB/NBA/NFL other than boxing? You're basically saying the NFL players right now would be world champs in boxing if it weren't for money, because all the good boxers are playing other sports right? Like I said, just because you're big doesn't mean you can box.

What are you talking about? If someone grows up boxing, then theyre going to be good at boxing. but the problem is that bigger guys in the US are NOT growing up boxing, because there is more incentive to go into team sports. no one is saying that if you pluck out a guy in the NFL and put boxing gloves on him that he will do well.

How about this?

There is no reason. It just happened. One day it will unhappen again.

Possible?

It does seem a bit like saying, we're not the best, but really we are.

of course there are reasons, there are reasons for pretty much everything. and no one is saying the second part at all.

its common sense...if any country that has big individuals in it completely dedicated itself to boxing, chances are they are going to have some pretty good heavyweights. its not an excuse at all, thats how things work.

its like looking at Mexico and comparing it to ****ledesh. They have similiar sized populations, but Mexico has produced waaaaay more boxers. Why? because boxing is more a part of their culture.

[abadger]

The football excuse from Americans is pathetic....The basketball excuse is even more pathetic, basketball players are ******* and can't fight for ****

Eastern Europeans have other sports too, boxing isn't the main focus....MMA,hockey,soccer,basketball, rugby,strongman,athletics,sambo,wrestling,etc.

American big men have gone soft.

Eastern European big men are tougher, stronger, hungrier and more determined, that's the bottom line.

Well, it is literally a fact that Eastern Euros are better than the Yanks right now, so you're right.