We always knock NON-US fighters for......

[fightfan_79]

that has nothing to do with this thread. PBF is one of the few fighters who is globally known.

Whoa.....PBF is known in maybe 4-5 countries...TOPS....andwhen I say known...I mean people turning their heads...stopping what their doing.....asking for autographs Known....

And I'd love to see PBF / JMM in Cambodia.....all the smoke in the arena, the yelling and cussing in Cambodian....I think that atmosphere would favor JMM....hahahahahaha!

[fightfan_79]

I think Yank fighters are afraid of fighting in the UK after Benn sent the G Man back across the atlantic in a wheelchair.

Slappy destroyed Lacy too.....I laughed my ass off after that fight....I think Lacy's trunks were a little too over the top...kinda reminded me of Apollo Creed...."If he dies...he dies..."

[fightfan_79]

maybe because america is the place for the best, it's like the base

On the flip side...I think that the UK is the best place for a seasoned vet or even a "highly touted prospect" to fight against a UK fighter...on the strength that their stadiums and arenas fit 20K to 80K....and their loyal fan base will fill the seats up just to see a good ole' barnburner....as long as there is Guiness and Fish n Chips to serve....expect decent paydays for the fighters over there.

[D-MiZe]

On the flip side...I think that the UK is the best place for a seasoned vet or even a "highly touted prospect" to fight against a UK fighter...on the strength that their stadiums and arenas fit 20K to 80K....and their loyal fan base will fill the seats up just to see a good ole' barnburner....as long as there is Guiness and Fish n Chips to serve....expect decent paydays for the fighters over there.

Who eats Fish n Chips while drinking Guinness?

You Yanks need a lesson in piss-uppery.

[Benny Leonard]

If you want to be a movie star where do you go?
HOLLYWOOD.
Why do you think actors travel around the World to go there and then end up living somewhere in America like L.A. or N.Y?
Because Hollywood/America is the place to be (as of now) and it is better to be close by or at least keep a connection there so you can work there.

At the end of the day people will gravitate towards the center of it all and as of now, even in boxing, it is still in the United States. It could be shifting but we'll see.


I'm for fighters fighting around the world but it's mostly because I think it would be great for the sport and the fans to see....it's great for promotion to the world.


Winky Wright spent a nice portion of his career fighting in Europe and was quite successful, but even when he was in Europe fighting, his goal was to get back to the United States and fight. And when he finally did get his "in," he didn't budge. That's where he made his money and elevated his legacy....America.



It's the same if an athlete was a Soccer/Football player and wanted to get to the top. Where is he going to want to play?
His goal will be to play in England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France...and probably in that order as far as status (since we could probably debate where is the better place to live).
The player isn't going to say, "hey, I know I could play in England but boy, let me be a World player and play a year in England (because I'm that good) and then head over to Spain and then Italy to mix it up and then continue on to the United States (where Soccer players go to die)."



But Yes, I'm still in favor of fighters fighting around the World. It would be great for the "Champions" to fight in many places around the world...to do a world tour like some of the Champs did back in the day. Especially if the HW Champ were to do that.
I heard Tyson was set to do that before he got with King and was still with Cayton. Sucks things got messed up.

[fightfan_79]

Who eats Fish n Chips while drinking Guinness?

You Yanks need a lesson in piss-uppery.

So my cousin who was born n raised Manchester is the only one who likes that combo? I found that disgusting myself when he told me...but to each their own I guess....

[bklynboy]

Staying in their countries and "fighting nobodies" or "bums".....and question when they finally come to America for their 1st big fight..."He hasn't really been tested".
Well...why don't American boxers or Boxers trained in America ever get asked that same question? (Best trainers, best equipment, facilities blah blah)
They never are willing to leave the the US to prove themselves to the World...

First of all don't confuse Larry Merchant with US fans. Second, for years -- if not decades -- the best fighters came from the US and Mexico and Latin America (with the exception of bantamweight and below). It's only in the past 10 years or so that European fighters have held their own and that fighters from Africa and Asia have joined the fray at the championship level.

We can debate about why that is so: the Cold War stopped the best Eastern European fighters from turning pro; boxing is an English-US sport that has slowly seeped into the culture of other countries; lack of money and training facilities in the poorer countries; talented US athletes going into football, baseball or MMA.

Again, it's only been recently that top boxers are found in Europe. I think the trend will continue over the next few decades as boxing is bigger in Europe than it is in the USA.

[fightfan_79]

First of all don't confuse Larry Merchant with US fans. Second, for years -- if not decades -- the best fighters came from the US and Mexico and Latin America (with the exception of bantamweight and below). It's only in the past 10 years or so that European fighters have held their own and that fighters from Africa and Asia have joined the fray at the championship level.

We can debate about why that is so: the Cold War stopped the best Eastern European fighters from turning pro; boxing is an English-US sport that has slowly seeped into the culture of other countries; lack of money and training facilities in the poorer countries; talented US athletes going into football, baseball or MMA.

Again, it's only been recently that top boxers are found in Europe. I think the trend will continue over the next few decades as boxing is bigger in Europe than it is in the USA.

First of All....Larry Merchant IS NOT THE ONLY one who made comments like the thread has stated...look at other sites threads and blogs....
Second....I was not being biased towards certain countries and their fighters...ALL COUNTRIES and FIGHTERS if not from the US are always being questioned BEFORE fighting on the so called "big stage" here in the US. If they perform poorly...excuse was "fought nothing but bums"....if performed spectacularly "This guy is the real deal and has a bright future here in the US"....my gripe is that why can't fans...more specifically mainstream/ commercial boxing fans just embrace a fighter from somewhere other than the US and watch the fighter with an open mind as opposed to pointing out, "
He from over there, he ain't ****".....I've seen and heard that time and time again....its very frustrating....that fighter you just ****ted on could be the next Marquez, Pacquiao, Tyson, Floyd...etc.

[bklynboy]

First of All....Larry Merchant IS NOT THE ONLY one who made comments like the thread has stated...look at other sites threads and blogs....

True, I was using Larry Merchant as an example of an empty headed commentator.

Second....I was not being biased towards certain countries and their fighters...ALL COUNTRIES and FIGHTERS if not from the US are always being questioned BEFORE fighting on the so called "big stage" here in the US.

Never thought you were being biased.

If they perform poorly...excuse was "fought nothing but bums"....if performed spectacularly "This guy is the real deal and has a bright future here in the US"

I suppose it's like a touted American soccer player going to Europe. If he does poorly its "what do you expect" but if he does well its "This guy is the real deal." I would guess it's the same when a US cross-country skiier goes to Europe or when a US Muay Thai boxer goes to Thailand.

my gripe is that why can't fans...more specifically mainstream/ commercial boxing fans just embrace a fighter from somewhere other than the US and watch the fighter with an open mind ...

I can't help you with your frustration. :-)

However I know lots of "mainstream" fans who love fighters from all over. And, interestingly enough most of the people I know who are big into boxing are not from the US. They're from Puerto Rico; the Dominican Republic; Mexico, England and the Ukraine. Each usually pulls for fighters from his country. Although I did know some PRs rooting for Margarito against Cotto.

[fightfan_79]

True, I was using Larry Merchant as an example of an empty headed commentator.



Never thought you were being biased.



I suppose it's like a touted American soccer player going to Europe. If he does poorly its "what do you expect" but if he does well its "This guy is the real deal." I would guess it's the same when a US cross-country skiier goes to Europe or when a US Muay Thai boxer goes to Thailand.



I can't help you with your frustration. :-)

However I know lots of "mainstream" fans who love fighters from all over. And, interestingly enough most of the people I know who are big into boxing are not from the US. They're from Puerto Rico; the Dominican Republic; Mexico, England and the Ukraine. Each usually pulls for fighters from his country. Although I did know some PRs rooting for Margarito against Cotto.

BKLYNBOY......Didn't mean to go off like that.....i'm just very passionate about the sport of boxing...and not so much the business of boxing...Nice counter-points....too bad you can't help with my frustration....but its good to know that there are others out there who can handle a topic and not douse it with hate and ignorisms (is that a word)....much respect.
I know how everyone can help with frustrations now and then.....