How can boxing become mainstream again?

[jqSide]

It will never become mainstream. It will stay the way it is. And the reason is most fights are boring to casuals, which, people in the business are trying to attract in the first place, thus the use of the word "mainstream." Clinching, running, too much inactivity... make casuals swear not to see any more boxing.

[MrRolltide91]

Put boxing on network tv

[Luilun]

Mayweather retiring so that other fighters can get exposure

[PainfromUkraine]

The problem is, a lot of people no longer see boxing as a sport, but as some brutal excuse for people to have fights. The fact that a lot of casuals will see it as brutal or dangerous makes the 'sporting' side lose credibility and all these lefties will lead to a lack of interest.

Also boxers aren't really prevalent in terms of personalities in mainstream media, so less people know of them and are interested or drawn to watch them.

But yes, fights on terrestrial TV and more bigger fights, as well as perhaps 1 champ per division, would make it more popular in the mainstream.

[SthPaw]

The problem is, a lot of people no longer see boxing as a sport, but as some brutal excuse for people to have fights. The fact that a lot of casuals will see it as brutal or dangerous makes the 'sporting' side lose credibility and all these lefties will lead to a lack of interest.

Also boxers aren't really prevalent in terms of personalities in mainstream media, so less people know of them and are interested or drawn to watch them.

But yes, fights on terrestrial TV and more bigger fights, as well as perhaps 1 champ per division, would make it more popular in the mainstream.

The bold is exactly what I was just going to type man...Less belts, two at the most per division. Better TV coverage and the simple satisfying notion of the best fighting the best. Now, the best may fight the best sometimes, but I doubt it will ever get big on TV again and we can say it right now that the pointless belts will not go away...So unfortunately for us, we are going to be staying right where we are I believe.

[PainfromUkraine]

The bold is exactly what I was just going to type man...Less belts, two at the most per division. Better TV coverage and the simple satisfying notion of the best fighting the best. Now, the best may fight the best sometimes, but I doubt it will ever get big on TV again and we can say it right now that the pointless belts will not go away...So unfortunately for us, we are going to be staying right where we are I believe.

Unfortunately this won't happen because of all the sanctioning bodies, I doubt they will just cease to exist or be removed. Maybe if all belts were on the line always, then it could work to have 1 champ...but that's pretty much impossible to implement unless we have an undisputed champ in every division.

[SthPaw]

Unfortunately this won't happen because of all the sanctioning bodies, I doubt they will just cease to exist or be removed. Maybe if all belts were on the line always, then it could work to have 1 champ...but that's pretty much impossible to implement unless we have an undisputed champ in every division.

I know man, it is so annoying. It is not the only reason that boxing has fell off the mainstream stage, but it is damn sure a big reason. The fact that there are/can be multiple guys laying claim to a championship takes away the actual prestige of having one, in my opinion. If there was one belt/title per division, perfect. If there was two it would still be manageable if the belt holders always fought and unified. Any more than that and we end up like it is today.

This is not the main reason as we all know, but for me personally, the notion of having one champ per division just like the old days, would help a ton to bring back some prestige to the sport.

[SeekDaGreat]

Big fights need to be aired on cable TV. Can't be exclusive to premium networks like HBO and SHO, and PPV.

[VatoMulatto]

When was boxing really mainstream? Correct me if I'm wrong...Boxing used to be more popular but always been a niche sport. Big stars like Tyson Ali Sugar Ray...etc were mainstream but not the sport.

[PainfromUkraine]

I know man, it is so annoying. It is not the only reason that boxing has fell off the mainstream stage, but it is damn sure a big reason. The fact that there are/can be multiple guys laying claim to a championship takes away the actual prestige of having one, in my opinion. If there was one belt/title per division, perfect. If there was two it would still be manageable if the belt holders always fought and unified. Any more than that and we end up like it is today.

This is not the main reason as we all know, but for me personally, the notion of having one champ per division just like the old days, would help a ton to bring back some prestige to the sport.

The main reason really is simply - boxing politics. This stuff makes you want to pull your hair out...promoters, broadcasters, contracts, organisations, sanctioning, blah blah blah...it takes SO MUCH WORK to make the fights, especially the big fights...and the fact a lot of fighters can duck or hold belts hostage or are basically puppets of their promoters make the sport impossible to follow for those that don't have patience or a passion for the sport. Does my head in, a lot of the stuff behind the scenes.

But this isn't going to change anytime soon, so not much hope for boxing probably.