Are boxing fans "dumbing" down?

[Jupiter Maximus]

I hear very often that GGG is ducking Lara, or that some other fighter is ducking Rigo. Cotto is set to fight Martinez instead of Canelo, and people have issues with that.

There's an obvious business aspect to boxing most fans don't get, but I also think there's a reason we aren't seeing these fights and it's because the "boxing fans" don't want to pay to go watch them.

For example, I love the way Rigo fights, I think it's the purest form of boxing we see in today's sport, yet he has trouble getting fights, not because fighters are "ducking" him, but because promoters don't want to shell out money for a failed show.

Lara is another fighter who I find to be fun to watch, but his more classic Cuban style of boxing, is one the avg fan isn't interested in. It's the reason Mexican fighters are so popular (not saying this because I'm Mexican for the record).

Mexican fighters have an appealing style to the common fan, knockouts, hard fought brawls, come forward styles etc...That's just one aspect of boxing though, we also should appreciate the technical aspect of the sport and I think the avg boxing fan is losing that.

Is it because of the rise of MMA? I don't know but it also pisses me off when I hear boxing crowds boo at fights. I never used to witness that, it happened only in MMA and I think that has now found it's way in boxing.

Are boxing fans "dumber"? Do they no appreciate the true boxing science we have seen in the past? Nacho said after the 3rd Pac fight that maybe he needed to change the way he trained his fighters, because hit and don't be hit wasn't working even with the judges.

What do you guys think?

and who the F%$# **** are you to judge other fans? :*******:

[bojangles1987]

and who the F%$# **** are you to judge other fans? :*******:

He's in the biz. It's perfectly understandable and obvious why he might take offense to dumb fans.

[Jupiter Maximus]

so.. is he not a fan himself? his oppinion is no more then any other. quit licking his j-strap

[Bigg Rigg]

Look at this forum as an example pure boxers like Rigo, Ward and Floyd are boring. Meanwhile fighters like Lucas, GGG become flavors of the month and everyone is ducking them.

Most boxing fans have been dumb. Like Winky Wright once said "Its called boxing not knock outs".

Wards boring because he holds too much. That's not apart of boxing IMO. Using your legs are so I'm ok with fighters that use their legs. Fighters that are always grabbing though in all their fights suck too me.

[damit305]

Fans want to see the best fight the best available competition, no matter how many "nationalistic" fans show up at a live gate waving flags. There are fans worldwide that have access to boxing via internet, legal or not. If anything fans are getting "smarter" and hiding behind popularity is starting to become "unpopular".

[ShoulderRoll]

I instantly thought

"its called baseball, not home runs." in the same sort of analogy. I love going to baseball games, SF Giants games are usually eventful/cheerful, and its not always an exciting game and there's not always home runs.. but when there are homeruns/back to back runs being scored its a great feeling.

I hated it when baseball started putting so much emphasis on homeruns. They are great when they happen naturally in the flow of the game and not when you try to force them with roided players.

Same thing in soccer. You would cheapen goals if you made it so that they happen more often.

People have to learn to appreciate the sport as a whole and not demand knock downs every damn time. Yes it's cool when they happen and it adds to the enjoyment but let's not try to force every bout to be Gatti-Ward. It's like wanting to eat dessert for every meal.

[Box-Office]

I hear very often that GGG is ducking Lara, or that some other fighter is ducking Rigo. Cotto is set to fight Martinez instead of Canelo, and people have issues with that.

There's an obvious business aspect to boxing most fans don't get, but I also think there's a reason we aren't seeing these fights and it's because the "boxing fans" don't want to pay to go watch them.

For example, I love the way Rigo fights, I think it's the purest form of boxing we see in today's sport, yet he has trouble getting fights, not because fighters are "ducking" him, but because promoters don't want to shell out money for a failed show.

Lara is another fighter who I find to be fun to watch, but his more classic Cuban style of boxing, is one the avg fan isn't interested in. It's the reason Mexican fighters are so popular (not saying this because I'm Mexican for the record).

Mexican fighters have an appealing style to the common fan, knockouts, hard fought brawls, come forward styles etc...That's just one aspect of boxing though, we also should appreciate the technical aspect of the sport and I think the avg boxing fan is losing that.

Is it because of the rise of MMA? I don't know but it also pisses me off when I hear boxing crowds boo at fights. I never used to witness that, it happened only in MMA and I think that has now found it's way in boxing.

Are boxing fans "dumber"? Do they no appreciate the true boxing science we have seen in the past? Nacho said after the 3rd Pac fight that maybe he needed to change the way he trained his fighters, because hit and don't be hit wasn't working even with the judges.

What do you guys think?

First of all good thread.

Secondly, i wont use the word dumb out of respect to everyone, but ive stated this point before that unlike basketball or baseball most combat sports fans have never been through the "experience".

So, as a b-ball fan you atleast have played pick up ball with friends if not school team to been through the experience of getting blocked, getting 3s and fouled etc etc. In combat sports most fans have never been in there so they base things on assumptions. Thats why i want all commentators to be ex-fiters so they can atleast educate the non-participant fanbase on the reality. Most people just wanna watch a fight so they dont care about science and just want a good night out, hence the switch to MMA for so many. Thats why many of these guys cant respect guys like Rigondeuax. I personally am a huge Carlos Molina fan and well know the ***** he gets here, but i understand how he neutralizes your strengths. Very fun to watch.

Thirdly, rise of MMA has been overall good for boxing. Why? cuz these promoters are learning quick that they have to make good matchups. But this booing thing is annoying and i agree can be attributed to MMA culture. Even with MMA it is evolving cuz before you had a kickboxer learn a bit of ground game but still vulnerable enough to be tapped out by a pure ground guy and vice versa, so you had alot of finishes. Now fiters are more well rounded and a jiu jitsu guy will have to fite for a submission not just get the back and bam got it, so many fites are going to decisions.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

If you based your opinion off of NSB, EVERYONE in the sport of boxing is a bum.

To answer OP's question, I don't think it's the fans being "dumbed" down, they simply want to get their monies worth and I understand that. I think it's more of an issue with the promoters protecting their investments and putting on one sided or fights that simply aren't competitive.

I don't mind watching guys like Rigo and Floyd, but casuals expect a high light reel KO or wish they put it all on the line.

Well I think that's my point. The fact that in days past, watching a guy like Rigo was a pleasure and a privilege. Now it seems as though if it's not a Bradley vs Provodnikov type fight, then fans can't appreciate it.

I really think what Nacho said was very telling in the way that boxing is heading. Personally, I don't like it. Like I tell my fighters all the time, boxing is not fighting, it's a sport.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

and who the F%$# **** are you to judge other fans? :*******:

He's in the biz. It's perfectly understandable and obvious why he might take offense to dumb fans.

so.. is he not a fan himself? his oppinion is no more then any other. quit licking his j-strap

Bojangles thanks and it's ok if dumb fans get offended when I call them what they are.

Regardless of what I do in boxing, I am a fan. I just posted a lagit question as to where the sport is heading. If you want to go back to Floyd and Pac threads, and how every fighter is a "bum" threads, then you can do that to.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

First of all good thread.

Secondly, i wont use the word dumb out of respect to everyone, but ive stated this point before that unlike basketball or baseball most combat sports fans have never been through the "experience".

So, as a b-ball fan you atleast have played pick up ball with friends if not school team to been through the experience of getting blocked, getting 3s and fouled etc etc. In combat sports most fans have never been in there so they base things on assumptions. Thats why i want all commentators to be ex-fiters so they can atleast educate the non-participant fanbase on the reality. Most people just wanna watch a fight so they dont care about science and just want a good night out, hence the switch to MMA for so many. Thats why many of these guys cant respect guys like Rigondeuax. I personally am a huge Carlos Molina fan and well know the ***** he gets here, but i understand how he neutralizes your strengths. Very fun to watch.

Thirdly, rise of MMA has been overall good for boxing. Why? cuz these promoters are learning quick that they have to make good matchups. But this booing thing is annoying and i agree can be attributed to MMA culture. Even with MMA it is evolving cuz before you had a kickboxer learn a bit of ground game but still vulnerable enough to be tapped out by a pure ground guy and vice versa, so you had alot of finishes. Now fiters are more well rounded and a jiu jitsu guy will have to fite for a submission not just get the back and bam got it, so many fites are going to decisions.

Man great post and thanks for the intelligent response.

I think you make a great point about most fans not ever fighting, it's the very reason I don't ever call a former fighter ro current fighter a "bum". When you fight for a living, whether it be MMA, boxing, kickboxing etc, you gained my respect.

Second, I think you make another great point in how MMA is good for boxing. I been saying that for years. Before it was a "Us vs Them" mentality, but now, I think I work with as many MMA fighters as I do boxers to be honest with you.

I just want to see fans really educate themselves in the sport and understand how difficult it is to do what Rigo, JMM, or Mayweather do. It's like football now, everyone wants to see TD's but a good defensive game is as exciting for me to be honest.