Is the US really no longer a boxing powerhouse?

[res]

My only purpose with this thread is to combat the nationalistic hate for the United States with the simple fact that the US is still amongst the elite even in its decline. 20 years from now the numbers I provided just might be meaningless, but as it stands today they are facts, and that isn't even talking about the popularity decline of the sport here and explosion of interest in it amongst other countries.

True, although when you consider where the U.S. started from, the slide has been pretty dramatic. Ofcourse we're still doing well, but nothing goes from 100 to 0 overnight. I have a theory about the cause of this slide that I've posted before. I think I'll come back and outline it when I have more time.

[bojangles1987]

It's about the heavyweights. When the glamour division that the highest profile fighters ever came isn't American dominated anymore, and you have to struggle just to find relevant heavyweights in the division at all, it makes America look bad.

In every other division, American boxing is doing well. Maybe not as good as it used to, but still pretty well.

[New England]

the best fighters generally train, spar, and fight here.

you aspire to box in america in most cases. outside of very few divisions (CW, HW, Flyweight, etc,) most of the best boxers base their careers here. they do that for the money, and the reasons i stated in the first line of my post.


and we've got the trump card :

vegas


nowhere else in the world can you consistently sell 2500 dollar ringside seats to high rollers.

[Mr. Philadel]

Lots of "America" haters out there, but I take it as a compliment. A hater is not going to hate on a country that never wins or has nothing. A hater is going to hate on a country that has everything, a country that always wins, someone or something they are jealous of. That's one reason and probably the main reason why we have haters.

truth!!!....I think the hate comes from the political arena and carries over into the sporting arenas...just my opinion

[Cloud]

The US is still producing great lighter talents but IMO the whole world has caught up as far the heavier divisions are concerned.

[JAB5239]

True, although when you consider where the U.S. started from, the slide has been pretty dramatic. Ofcourse we're still doing well, but nothing goes from 100 to 0 overnight. I have a theory about the cause of this slide that I've posted before. I think I'll come back and outline it when I have more time.

I'm not even sure its fallen of as much as the rest of the world has improved to fight a pro style. Guys who are old enough to remember European heavyweight fighters from the 70's, 80's and even 90's will remember how they were very stiff and upright. I remember when the Soviets came over here in the early or mid 90's, their styles were very rigid and amateurish. Fighters around the world are just developing a more professional style today allowing them to get deeper in the mix. Its not like we have the market cornered on athleticism or toughness, those attributes will be found in every country around the world in spite of what some on here say.

[JAB5239]

It's about the heavyweights. When the glamour division that the highest profile fighters ever came isn't American dominated anymore, and you have to struggle just to find relevant heavyweights in the division at all, it makes America look bad.

In every other division, American boxing is doing well. Maybe not as good as it used to, but still pretty well.

I don't think it make America look bad, but makes other countries look good right now. The only ones seeking to put it down do not understand everything works in a cycle and have a personal scenario against the US. You can read it in nearly all their posts whenever the topic is raised.

[jayjames616]

The only fall off is that the USA no longer dominates the heavyweight division. We never controlled to little kid weights, we barely have people that size. My brother boxed and wrestled at those weights and got a lot of byes and walk-overs because there weren't many competing at the weight. USA and Mexico will always be 1 and 2 when it comes to boxing. Cuba would probably be 3rd if they could fight professionally there.

[JAB5239]

truth!!!....I think the hate comes from the political arena and carries over into the sporting arenas...just my opinion

No doubt that is where their agenda comes from. If you know anything about certain posters on here you've read it from them before. Its pretty pathetic some can't separate sports from politics.

[JAB5239]

The only fall off is that the USA no longer dominates the heavyweight division. We never controlled to little kid weights, we barely have people that size. My brother boxed and wrestled at those weights and got a lot of byes and walk-overs because there weren't many competing at the weight. USA and Mexico will always be 1 and 2 when it comes to boxing. Cuba would probably be 3rd if they could fight professionally there.

The UK is on the rise in greater range of weight classes than most other countries. I think they'll surpass japan in the near future for top 10 ranked fighters and start closing ground on Mexico and the US. Their boxing scene has exploded in the last 20 years.