When did the "muh favourite promoter" cults begin?

[Hustle]

I started regularly watching boxing in 2001, the internet was in its infancy in terms of widespread use, and social media wasn't really a thing (there were message boards but that's about it).

As far as I remember, no one "supported" promoters. They all seemed to be universally despised and just tolerated as a necessary evil. Warren, King and Arum all got regularly panned as conmen and liars.

At some point, this began to change. With new players entering the market (Oscar, Eddie, Haymon), fans began to become emotionally invested. Arguments began springing up on forums and social media about who was "winning" and is more righteous. In the UK, a subset of fans is very invested in the Warren - Hearn rivalry (just read the comment sections under YouTube videos featuring either of them for examples).

These people are so locked into these cults they assume everyone else is, so if you challenge them you're simply accused of being part of the rival faction. I find the Warren fanboys particularly perplexing given how appallingly this man has behaved over the years.

When did this begin and why?

It began around 2010/2011 when gbp and top rank stop working together. Richard vs Bob...That started it all.

It got so bad that Mosley and Marquez had to leave gbp to get a Pacquiao fight.

Then haymon stole all of golden boy fighters and took them to showtime. Which then created haymon vs top rank beef.

Then Bob and haymon ended the beef in 2015 for the most part.

Then Eddie came to America and the beef of matchroom vs pbc and top rank popped off.

now we're here.....no fights worth a damn

[kiaba360]

A lot of fans rely on the promotional companies to tell them who is worth watching. Promoters are perceived as content creators/curators, and boxing fans began choosing sides based on various reasons.

[dan-b]

The forum is excelling itself for "muh favourite promoter" this morning. Seriously, why does anyone care who's promoting a fight as long as it's good/meaningful?

I find social media tribalism so unrelatable, and boring frankly. Every thread gets disrupted by it.