Are We Finally Getting It Right in Boxing?

[MOREBASS]

The only people saying boxing is dead are those clowns that are hyped up over MMA and buy into what MMA represents. Those MMA advocates try to push MMA as if it will overtake boxing, but seriously, boxing has been around for YEARS, and their is history and even GREAT fighters in the sport which will forever remembered. Mixed Martial Arts, come on now. Its called Martial Arts. Now they throw all aspects of fighting including Boxing and tag it Mixed Martial Arts. Im not knocking on the creators of it cause simply people will pay to see violence and in the world we live in, if it dont make dollars it dont make sense. All im saying is quit comparing it to boxing and quit saying its overtaking boxing.

Nowhere in the article this thread pertains to did the author mention MMA.

But since you mentioned it, I have never heard a reputable MMA 'advocate' say that the sport was going to 'overtake' boxing, as you put it. I've heard people like Dana White point out the things that shady people in the boxing business do and have done that really hurt the sport, but most of what he says is true. As a boxing fan, I can attest to it.

I have heard on numerous occasions Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant take cheap shots at MMA, even on the recent Margarito-Mosley card this past weekend.

I think boxing aficionados feel more threatened by the rise of MMA than anything. This is the reason why you are finally seeing a change in the way boxing is run.

This is why you are getting to see more quality fights and cards without having to shell out ridiculous amounts of money for PPV. Now that boxing is not the only combat sport that people can turn to for entertainment, the monopoly is over and they can no longer serve a B-grade product without people taking heed, and threatening to spend their money elsewhere.

The next thing to do is push the marketing down everyones throats to hype up all the big events.

I have to disagree here.

Boxing doesn't need more hype. It needs just what it is getting and that's more quality fights on television (not PPV) and better overall quality cards. Also, making these events more affordable to the paying customer, and not just to star gazers and corporate interests is also doing a lot for the sport in the long term.

[trainhard_187]

Nowhere in the article this thread pertains to did the author mention MMA.

But since you mentioned it, I have never heard a reputable MMA 'advocate' say that the sport was going to 'overtake' boxing, as you put it. I've heard people like Dana White point out the things that shady people in the boxing business do and have done that really hurt the sport, but most of what he says is true. As a boxing fan, I can attest to it.

I have heard on numerous occasions Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant take cheap shots at MMA, even on the recent Margarito-Mosley card this past weekend.

I think boxing aficionados feel more threatened by the rise of MMA than anything. This is the reason why you are finally seeing a change in the way boxing is run.

This is why you are getting to see more quality fights and cards without having to shell out ridiculous amounts of money for PPV. Now that boxing is not the only combat sport that people can turn to for entertainment, the monopoly is over and they can no longer serve a B-grade product without people taking heed, and threatening to spend their money elsewhere.





I have to disagree here.

Boxing doesn't need more hype. It needs just what it is getting and that's more quality fights on television (not PPV) and better overall quality cards. Also, making these events more affordable to the paying customer, and not just to star gazers and corporate interests is also doing a lot for the sport in the long term.

Okay your an MMA fan, thats usually the response I get from them. Who said hype, I said better marketing produces better numbers.

[isbj]

All I know is that I've been doing what I can to help gain interest in the sport I love!

For the last 4 yrs I have been arranging groups of 20 or more people to attend local events here in SoCal.

We as fans know which fights will be entertaining & bring interest back to boxing. I usually set up tailgates for these events for our groups. We'll have pools and raffles jus to make the night more interesting. While we're inside the event I'll point out the boxers that are attending the event to the casual fans in the group, those fans always ask to take pictures with these boxers. Also, going as group gets you a discount on tickets and sometimes a lil something more like the autographed gloves of Mosley/Margarito we received for free this weekend. It use to be tough to get 10 people to go where now 20 is a guaranteed minimum in our group!

[KILLA RIGHT]

Hell yeah we are finally getting it right. I have gotten so much new people into boxing it's crazy within the last year i got about 20 people. I wouldn't feel this strong about it if i knew the sport is getting it right. I have never loved boxing like i do now.Viva el boxeo

[Migs]

Great article Jake, let's just hope that they truly have learned. The first quarter of last year, while not as packed, was still pretty solid and then the rest of the year fizzled out. If we get another year like or better than 07' then I think boxing will once again burst back into the mainstream.

[The Surgeon]

Obviously i cant speak for everyone but ive noticed recently boxing is getting a lil bit more popular in my town! Nothing hardcore but there seems alot more fringe fans these days

[ringsidemike]

Now we need Houston to sell out the Toyota Center for Marquez-Diaz!!

[PeterinMI]

They just gotta' price it so the majority of folks don't have to go into hock to attend a live, high profile event. Everybody loves a good scrap...

Not only that but there needs to be good local cheap events. My kingdom for live boxing within 50 miles once or twice a year.

[tomtsatas]

Dont pat yourselves on the back just yet. I showed both fights at my bar and people booed when I tried chainging one of the TVs to boxing instead of the Affliction card. Nice try tho. 2 fights a year don make a sport Lazarus. Wrestling, I mean boxing is in trouble.

[tomtsatas]

Oh, which fight did De La Hoya attend?? Thats Y Golden Boy is getting into MMA. They are not ******. The MMA fans have money. They spend money. They are loyal to that sport. And there is not BS and hate and greed overall like boxing which is filled w/sleezy people.
Boxing killed itself, realized it but it may B 2 little 2 L8.