British Boxing Fans

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  • BigZ44
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    #11
    Honestly, at the top level, it's probably not a huge difference, but the massive chasm between British and American fans is the love for fighters under world level. Guys at British level can have HUGE followings and sell out arenas where they're from, the fans for the most part on more informed about the fighters and value the guys for what they are. That's what I respect the most and I appreciate great fights more than great fighters, that's why I wake up at 4 AM on a Saturday to watch Russian level guys go to war in Yekaterinburg.

    In the US there's just no following at a regional level for the most part and very few guys have large local contingents of fans. Just not a sport that is followed like that in the US, aside from hardcore's unfortunately.

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    • KingGilgamesh
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      #12
      Originally posted by Hype job
      Crawford is a hype job.
      He's inferior to Spence but a guy with Khan, Benavidez and Gamboa on his record is no hype job.

      This is it though. Guys like Fury and Joshua are made out to be these gods, whilst I really rate the latter...he only has two real strong names. And one those names hasn't really fought many decent contenders his damn self lol.

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      • KingGilgamesh
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        #13
        Originally posted by BigZ44
        Honestly, at the top level, it's probably not a huge difference, but the massive chasm between British and American fans is the love for fighters under world level. Guys at British level can have HUGE followings and sell out arenas where they're from, the fans for the most part on more informed about the fighters and value the guys for what they are. That's what I respect the most and I appreciate great fights more than great fighters, that's why I wake up at 4 AM on a Saturday to watch Russian level guys go to war in Yekaterinburg.

        In the US there's just no following at a regional level for the most part and very few guys have large local contingents of fans. Just not a sport that is followed like that in the US, aside from hardcore's unfortunately.
        Whilst this is a fair point, my question are you watching for boxing or the story?

        I feel big American fights will involve guys who are ****ing legit. Hell, people seem to be scoffing at Canelo (though he has a major Mexican following) for taking on BJS over guys like Charlo, Bivol or Plant. Thing is, BJS is a major name in the UK and considered one of our most naturally talented fighters. And yet he's being treated as somewhat of an afterthought.

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        • Sparked_26
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          #14
          A part of it is the culture around fights and the fact our country is small, literally.

          You go to the fight for a night out as much as anything. Whether that is a small hall kind of fight or a bigger venue like the O2 in London, Millenium stadium, MEN in Manchester even Wembley stadium. If you want to go. You can go really. You might struggle a bit to see AJ but even then. Not that much.

          The fandom on the level you see on tv is not about the fighters almost at all often times. I'm not saying it has always been like that. Minter's racist fans an example.

          But now it is about the event. The UK is small but is also densely populated. We are always gonna crank out a certain amount of world level fighters from here until then end of time but even that is incidental. If the quality dropped the interest probably wouldnt. We like stories and rivalries and with good promotion and interest whether the participants are world class becomes incidental.

          So I dont think you can compare the two nations. The US is so big and sprawling. It is basically a continent in itself.

          You could compare the entire UK to maybe a single state in the US where boxing is popular. Not as a participatory sport but where watching boxing is a social norm.

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          • KingGilgamesh
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            #15
            Originally posted by Sparked_26
            A part of it is the culture around fights and the fact our country is small, literally.

            You go to the fight for a night out as much as anything. Whether that is a small hall kind of fight or a bigger venue like the O2 in London, Millenium stadium, MEN in Manchester even Wembley stadium. If you want to go. You can go really. You might struggle a bit to see AJ but even then. Not that much.

            The fandom on the level you see on tv is not about the fighters almost at all often times. I'm not saying it has always been like that. Minter's racist fans an example.

            But now it is about the event. The UK is small but is also densely populated. We are always gonna crank out a certain amount of world level fighters from here until then end of time but even that is incidental. If the quality dropped the interest probably wouldnt. We like stories and rivalries and with good promotion and interest whether the participants are world class becomes incidental.

            So I dont think you can compare the two nations. The US is so big and sprawling. It is basically a continent in itself.

            You could compare the entire UK to maybe a single state in the US where boxing is popular. Not as a participatory sport but where watching boxing is a social norm.
            Great post.

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            • Hype job
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              #16
              Originally posted by KingGilgamesh

              He's inferior to Spence but a guy with Khan, Benavidez and Gamboa on his record is no hype job.

              This is it though. Guys like Fury and Joshua are made out to be these gods, whilst I really rate the latter...he only has two real strong names. And one those names hasn't really fought many decent contenders his damn self lol.
              No chin, one leg, blown up featherweight.

              None of those names are impressive.

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              • ShoulderRoll
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                #17
                Originally posted by KingGilgamesh
                Being American is not enough in America, you HAVE to be good.

                I actually respect that. A lot.
                That's what I'm always trying to tell people. It took a long time for Lennox Lewis to grow on Americans (he never did for some) not because he was foreign but because he had to show that he was actually good.

                Duran, Pacquiao, all the Mexican and Puerto Rican legends...foreigners will get accepted here because we know what good boxing is supposed to look like. But you do have to PROVE it.

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                • JERMELL_CHARLO_
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                  #18
                  Originally posted by Hype job
                  Crawford is a hype job.
                  Lmfao word

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