Hopkins Turns 47, Worries About Sport’s Future

[ИATAS]

Boxing destroyed itself if you compared it what it was back then. Too much greed and people lose interest.
.

well yes, obviously boxing shot itself in its foot and is itself to blame. Not arguing that. The rule change of amateur boxing and it's overall decline also hurt tremendously.

MMA is an infant give it some time and eventually they'll have most of the same problems we have.

[ИATAS]

Yes I see a correlation.

That's all I wanted, man, was for people to admit that yes, most of the potential american heavyweights are probably playing other sports. It's not because Europeans just are that good and just dominate the heavier weight classes.

So what? What can be done about it? Nothing. American boxing's main problems are internal, and fixable, if people would stop looking outwards for a change.

I understand that and there are tons of things we can discuss starting from the terrible amateur system.

[Mr. Fantastic]

well yes, obviously boxing shot itself in its foot and is itself to blame. Not arguing that. The rule change of amateur boxing and it's overall decline also hurt tremendously.

MMA is an infant give it some time and eventually they'll have most of the same problems we have.

The rule changer in the Olympic style really ruined it for me watching the Olympics. You gotta show the kids excitement and the people in general to show that there is hope for the sport. Look at what Pac did with the Philippines, America needs that kind of hero as well to promote it.

I don't think they would have the same problems because it's under one house mostly and we get to see a lot of the fights we want to see. Look at Pac and Mayweather, we've been waiting over 2 fucking years for that. Still no fight. People get turned off by that shit, especially casual fans and people who were willing to give the sport a try in being a fan.

[nomadman]

That's all I wanted, man, was for people to admit that yes, most of the potential american heavyweights are probably playing other sports. It's not because Europeans just are that good and just dominate the heavier weight classes.

You want people to admit you're in the exact same boat as everyone else? Er, fine then.

[ИATAS]

The rule changer in the Olympic style really ruined it for me watching the Olympics. You gotta show the kids excitement and the people in general to show that there is hope for the sport. Look at what Pac did with the Philippines, America needs that kind of hero as well to promote it.

Agreed.

I don't think they would have the same problems because it's under one house mostly and we get to see a lot of the fights we want to see. Look at Pac and Mayweather, we've been waiting over 2 fucking years for that. Still no fight. People get turned off by that shit, especially casual fans and people who were willing to give the sport a try in being a fan.

MMA is really young. Boxing is over 100 years old. UFC is the dominate organization now, but who knows how the sport will be 20 years from. There really is no telling which way it will go.

[nomadman]

Why didn't you comment on the fact that NYC has less than 10 gyms compared to 20 years ago when they had over 150 gyms? What does that tell you? The answer should be obvious.

Why don't you comment on where all the non-American potential HWs are going?

I understand boxing's become a second-tier sport in the US. What? You think you're special?

[ИATAS]

Why don't you comment on where all the non-American potential HWs are going?

Why should I when this topic is about american heavyweights? If this thread was about Lennox Lewis being worried about European heavyweights then we could talk about European heavyweights. Stay on topic.

I understand boxing's become a second-tier sport in the US. What? You think you're special?

lol what's your problem? Just having a conversation no need to for any of that.

[nomadman]

Why should I when this topic is about american heavyweights? If this thread was about Lennox Lewis being worried about European heavyweights then we could talk about European heavyweights. Stay on topic.

This is plenty on topic. The whole NFL argument supposes the US is a special case, and at a disadvantage to the rest of the world. In other words, were all things equal, you would naturally dominate once more. It willfully ignores the situation in the rest of the world, or merely assumes that everything else beyond its shores is just hunky dory. It isn't and that's why I asked that question.

If that isn't your own particular take on the argument, then fine, ignore away.

lol what's your problem? Just having a conversation no need to for any of that.

No need for what? It's not like I accused you of being an idiot or anything.

[ИATAS]

This is plenty on topic. The whole NFL argument supposes the US is a special case, and at a disadvantage to the rest of the world. In other words, were all things equal, you would naturally dominate once more. It willfully ignores the situation in the rest of the world, or merely assumes that everything else beyond its shores is just hunky dory. It isn't and that's why I asked that question.

It's not even about dominating, it's about having quality fighters, period. Let's say the klitschko's beat everyone, fine that's cool. Just look at the current american heavyweights and you'll see there is no talent, none, it's dead and it's beyond pathetic. That is a direct result of a lack of fighters and a lack of athletes who are going into other sports. It's that simple. Is that happening in other countries too? You bet it is, I never said it wasn't.

Again I don't care about american dominance in any shape or form. I am not nationalistic. I am not patriotic. I hate our government. I would leave this country immediately and live elsewhere if I had the means to do so. So don't get the misconseption that I'm just making excuses for #1 King America because I love this country so much I feel the need to defend it at all costs. Couldn't be farther from the truth. It's just common sense. Drastic decrease in boxing popularity, drastic decrease in boxing gyms, increase of other sports popularity, better incentives for kids to play other sports over boxing, etc, considering all that there will be an obvious decline in the quality of fighters america produces.

[nomadman]

It's not even about dominating, it's about having quality fighters, period. Let's say the klitschko's beat everyone, fine that's cool. Just look at the current american heavyweights and you'll see there is no talent, none, it's dead and it's beyond pathetic. That is a direct result of a lack of fighters and a lack of athletes who are going into other sports. It's that simple. Is that happening in other countries too? You bet it is, I never said it wasn't.

Again I don't care about american dominance in any shape or form. I am not nationalistic. I am not patriotic. I hate our government. I would leave this country immediately and live elsewhere if I had the means to do so. So don't get the misconseption that I'm just making excuses for #1 King America because I love this country so much I feel the need to defend it at all costs. Couldn't be farther from the truth. It's just common sense. Drastic decrease in boxing popularity, drastic decrease in boxing gyms, increase of other sports popularity, better incentives for kids to play other sports over boxing, etc, considering all that there will be an obvious decline in the quality of fighters america produces.

I can get behind that then. But you just have to read other posts in threads like this to see that you're very much an exception to the rule.