why boxing is more popular in the UK than the US

[COVID-19]

Over the years £20 vs $100 PPV events and dedicated channels like Boxnation have made boxing more digestible in the UK.

[Fabes88]

i think in general the atmosphere and fans are better, not to mention the drinking culture etc plays a part.

I cant remember the last time there was a good atmosphere from american fans at a boxing event, usually its always the mexicans that make a rukus. Americans in general are awful fat yanks that need to be told when to make noise because they are too busy stuffing their pie holes, last time i watched an nba game 'clap clap clap clap yourr hands' x1000 while everyone sits in general silence

I’ve always thought of American sporting events to be very corporate and soulless. However I went to a giants game last season at the met life and was surprised by the passion in the crowd. Was nowhere near the level of watching a real football match but a lot more passion than I anticipated.

[CharlieStewart]

boxing was in a pretty bad place not too long ago in the UK. we had an emergence of a bunch of world champs, plus the big domestic fights were made and boxing is cheaper and more accessible than in the US. People talk about Boxing in the UK like its always been mainstream when only a few years ago it was in the same niche space that it is in in the US.

[boogbx]

well, since i'm on someone's ignore list, i have to open a new thread for this response. i do think it's a good discussion though.

truth is, Uk boxing has really blown up because of matchroom boxing, Sky sports, AND the smart and strategic promotion of fighters by eddie hearn.
but that's probably too bitter of a pill for you ldbc fans to swallow.

i think if you really did a deep dive, you would find that there are a few reasons:

1. relatability: in general, uk boxers are way more relatable than american boxers. that's probably because their back stories are usually told and featured intentionally. american promoters don't do that nearly enough.

2. uk boxers are generally more dignified and charismatic than american boxers. all you have to do is look at AJ, bellew, callum smith, bruno, etc vs kovalev, wilder, broner, mayweather, e.t.c. it's tough to gather crowds when you can't behave yourself in public.

3. Race also probably plays a role, although, what it really is, is culture. for boxing to become as big as it should be again in the us, you need to attract casual white male fans and suburbian families. it's just tougher when you don't have talented white american boxers. and the attitudes of the current top american boxers make it impossible. UFC mma doesn't struggle there, so they continue to do well.

US whiteboys suck at boxing and white people dont want to see their own get beaten by black and brown.

It’s that simple. Close thread.

[Armchairhero]

US whiteboys suck at boxing and white people dont want to see their own get beaten by black and brown.

It’s that simple. Close thread.

That’s an American problem, ask most brits to name favourite fighters and the majority will say Benn, Eubank, naz etc etc

Boxing was on terrestrial telly in those days and was well supported. What made it a niche sport was the initial move to sky. More people over the years ended up with sky tv etc etc

What would save boxing in the US would be the end of alphabet belts and a UFC style organisation with only 1 champ with the best fighting the best.... will never happen

[Thuglife Nelo]

The laws are different in the USA. Sports betting has different culture. Money plays a huge role. The USA shouldn’t be so nosy about how people spend. There should be regulation for a percentage of where money goes to make the government happier and not so insecure, like the lottery, which is basically marketing to have people “buy” luck.

[kafkod]

boxing was in a pretty bad place not too long ago in the UK. we had an emergence of a bunch of world champs, plus the big domestic fights were made and boxing is cheaper and more accessible than in the US. People talk about Boxing in the UK like its always been mainstream when only a few years ago it was in the same niche space that it is in in the US.

The sport suffered a huge dip in popularity in the UK after it disappeared from terrestrial TV and went onto the satellite channels. It came back again in a big way after Matchroom linked with Sky and Eddie Hearn started doing what he does.

The turnaround happened very quickly. Joe Calzaghe was virtually unkown throughout his title reign, but Froch, Groves, DeGale, who came immediately after him in the same division, became household names.

There is a documentary about Calzaghe titled: "Joe Who?" because of an incident it depicts when Joe was nominated for BBC sports personality of the year.

He and his dad were stopped by security at the BBC carpark gate and asked to identify themselves. Joe tells the guard his name and that he has been nominated for the award. The guard looks puzzled and asks him "Joe who?" before checking his list to see if Joe's name is on it.

[kafkod]

US whiteboys suck at boxing and white people dont want to see their own get beaten by black and brown.

It’s that simple. Close thread.

But that doesn't explain why boxing was so hugely popular in the States during the 80's, 90's and early 2000's, when black and hispanic fighters were just as dominant as they are now.

Unless America has become more, not less, racially divided since then, of course. I wouldn't know about that because I'm from the UK, and things have moved in the opposite direction over here, thank God.

[boogbx]

But that doesn't explain why boxing was so hugely popular in the States during the 80's, 90's and early 2000's, when black and hispanic fighters were just as dominant as they are now.

Unless America has become more, not less, racially divided since then, of course. I wouldn't know about that because I'm from the UK, and things have moved in the opposite direction over here, thank God.

Look at who the President is if that doesn’t answer your question.

That idiot being in office has been called US “ whitelash”

The US is ridiculously divided by race and more in 2019 than in the past.

Also in the past you didn’t have MMA. When MMA was dominated by Asians and Brazilians, white people stateside would rather watch backyard wrestling.

Since the Ultimate Fighter and overwhelming dominance of white fighters in MMA, that’s most popular.

[Kezzer]

I agree with the above and I wish frank warren was to step a side for new blood in the uk too because I personally think there is still room for improvement.

The US really could do with a “out with the old” approach too because Haymon, Arum, Finkel etc are stuck in their old ways and marketability has changed so much.