Should boxers care about the paying customers?

[DebateObserver]

Yes if boxers starts caring to put on a show win or lose. That wouldn't be bad at all, that would be a boon for the sport as a whole. In UFC, Dana White gives them some incentive if they perform sensationally well in that night. He's got rewards for best submission of the night, best performance of the night such and such. So most UFC fighters take into account the bonus they will get if they get a really sensational performance. In boxing, there's no such immediate incentive, payment is already arranged so it's really up to the boxers. I guess some ATGs like Ray Leonard, Ali, Roy Jones wanted to intentionally put on a show for the fans no matter what. Some boxers like Tyson are just highlight reel by default because of their punching prowess.

[Eff Pandas]

I mean you gotta care to some degree. Being the guy fighting in front of an empty venue of any size isn't gonna get you very far.

[Eff Pandas]

In almost every other industry the mantra is "the customer is always right."

Not in boxing, though. Promoters seldom make the fights fans want. And there are boxers that don't care if the people who paid to see them get good value for their money.

Lets be real. Thats bs its just how much is it bs. If it costs too much or if its too much risk/too hard to accomplish its fook the customer, if its fairly easy & can make you money immediately or in the long run the customer is right.

[RightJabLikeZab]

Nah. Winning>>>. If you know you don't have much power and that you're not the best offensive fighter, there's nothing wrong with emphasizing your best qualities. Tim Bradley listened to fans who abused him for the decision over Pacquiao and was concussed badly and nearly lost to Provodnikov. When you're broke and suffering from physical ailments later in your life, those loud fans will not be there to support you. Terry Norris was amazing to watch but now he has brain damage. And where are the fans. Fight for yourself. Fight for your family. If you can be more offensive minded and be a bit more exciting without your defense suffering, cool. If you can't, then stick with what works. I've never seen a guy like Lara in a boring fight against come forward brawlers. Hurd, Angulo easily brought the best out of Lara. The blame should be on the guys who are either unwilling to eat punches to get to the defensive guys, or the guys who are not good enough to actually land any effective punches.

[BodyBagz]

In almost every other industry the mantra is "the customer is always right."

Not in boxing, though. Promoters seldom make the fights fans want. And there are boxers that don't care if the people who paid to see them get good value for their money.

Boxing is also a form of entertainment. No money back if dissatisfied. This is why a guy has to build that kickass rep. Make people want to see him even if he's not a star.

To this day I'm not sure whos the boss, the boxer or the promoter....

[Fists_of_Fury]

A pleased fan will usually keep watching and supporting. A pissed off fan will quit watching and supporting. Boxers get paid by how much they draw, so pleasing fans gets them more $. Pissing them off can be detrimental to their wallet and career.

I don't watch certain fighters because of their style. I watch certain fighters just to see them lose. I won't watch most showcase fights especially when there is better opponents readily available. I will pirate fights or watch highlights so they don't get my views.

[Eff Pandas]

To this day I'm not sure whos the boss, the boxer or the promoter....

100% the promoter in almost all cases. Guys like Mikey sitting for 2yrs & Floyd needing to buy out of his contract prove that. If you are the boss you are writing up the details of an agreement not signing it & losing years of your career because of a piece of paper.

There are promoters like Eddie who I think does run things more 50/50, but it's more rare.

[The Big Dunn]

Or should they not care what the fans think?

Not every fighter has the luxury of thinking about the fans. For some fighters, you have to take the Marvin Hagler route. You come in as a no name and therefore you have to go everywhere and beat the toughest guys or you will not climb the ladder. A guy like that has to focus on what fans want in order to build and keep a fan base.

If you're and ODH, Canelo or an SRL, an you come in with a huge fanbase and as a potential cash cow, you're goal has to be to keep winning. Your fan base will always be behind you so you don't necessarily have to please them, you just have to win.

[Fists_of_Fury]

Yes! the "heal" strategy! America loves a great villian! Even though Tyson said it with a lisp... When he told ole dudley doright Lewis "I wanna eat yo kids!" it was shocking!

I think you meant "heel" or your phone autocorrected. Here's a video of that Tyson interview

[MeanestNiceGuy]

NO! I choose to watch boxing for MY entertaining...Nobody is forcing me to watch, buy a subscription or PPV

So no because I'm a paying customer does not give me the right to tell a fighter HOW to fight! They all should have their own style and I as a "SPECTATOR" can pick and choose which fighter and style I choose to watch and support. If I don't like someone style I simply don't watch them instead of tuning in and complaining about their style. Like for example I try to avoid Rances Barthelemy fights lol unless he is fighting a top fighter or something then I just tough it out and watch him but yeah he has a awful style

Boxers should fight "Their Fight" and do WTF they're best at so if you're gifted with great footwork it would be ****** not to use that gift to your advantage to get the win

Couldn't agree more! Folks who are raised by their mothers try to troll fighters and make others not like them based on their expectations. Half of the time, those same idiots don't even know what they're watching but they complain anyway.

It's as simple as you stated it, if you don't like it, just don't watch (or pay). If a fighter's that insecure or realize others won't watch them, they'll either fine tune their style or give those "fans" the finger.

I don't expect Devin to fight like John Molina Jr, nor do I expect Andy Ruiz to fight like Floyd. That's why they place salt & pepper shakers on the tables at restaurants....everybody's taste is different.