Is BOXING DEAD??? (professional, league, NBA, NFL)

[JackTheRipper]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

Boxing isn't dead but it's no longer mainstream. You don't see suburban dads inviting their buddies over for the big fight anymore.

That only happens if they're hardcore boxing fans + if the fight is well promoted (seeing commercials of the fight in almost every major channel 3-5 times a day).

[Huckleberry3911948]

punish crime. decriminalize self defense, boxing will come back in a flash.

[Alexus]

Originally Posted by IamInShape

Many say that the sport of boxing is dying and is being replaced by UFC. Will boxing survive??? What are some solutions in making boxing exciting again??

If I don't get many replies then boxing might be dead afterall.

Only to those who never appreciated the sport and don't identify with its great history and tradition.

I love boxing as do millions of others. There's not a UFC match in the entire world that can compare to a match between two great fighters such as a fight between Mayweather and Mosley or the upcoming Pacman and Hatton. Even up-and-comers hold my attention over a UFC match. Right now, interest is on the lighter weights, not the heavyweights. The heavyweight division is in an all-time funk with the domination of the very mechanical European fighters. American heavyweights are flat out pathetic and it is quite a shame! Even still, I'd rather watch replays of old fights than any UFC match.

The first time I saw UFC was when Royce Gracie won. I was excited by it. It seemed raw and novel. It wasn't boxing and I didn't compare it to the sport. I didn't like seeing the ground work or that most of the fights eventually ended up on the ground. I don't care for this at all. Not interested in wrestling in any form. Two me, UFC follows the fake wrestling line and feels gimmicky, like roller derby. Very low-class, redneck feel to it. I have no interest in it.

I prefer skilled hand-to-hand combat plain and simple and UFC can't compare at all to the Sweet Science. Boxing is like classical music...it stands the test of time.

[JackTheRipper]

^ Good post brother, .

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by Alexus

Only to those who never appreciated the sport and don't identify with its great history and tradition.

I love boxing as do millions of others. There's not a UFC match in the entire world that can compare to a match between two great fighters such as a fight between Mayweather and Mosley or the upcoming Pacman and Hatton. Even up-and-comers hold my attention over a UFC match. Right now, interest is on the lighter weights, not the heavyweights. The heavyweight division is in an all-time funk with the domination of the very mechanical European fighters. American heavyweights are flat out pathetic and it is quite a shame! Even still, I'd rather watch replays of old fights than any UFC match.

The first time I saw UFC was when Royce Gracie won. I was excited by it. It seemed raw and novel. It wasn't boxing and I didn't compare it to the sport. I didn't like seeing the ground work or that most of the fights eventually ended up on the ground. I don't care for this at all. Not interested in wrestling in any form. Two me, UFC follows the fake wrestling line and feels gimmicky, like roller derby. Very low-class, redneck feel to it. I have no interest in it.

I prefer skilled hand-to-hand combat plain and simple and UFC can't compare at all to the Sweet Science. Boxing is like classical music...it stands the test of time.

Excellent post. I am a martial artists and to me, nothing compares to boxing.

I usually order most big boxing PPVs but I have only ordered one UFC PPV since they changed the format from the 90s, and that was only because I invited all my students over for a BBQ and just so happens that Royce Gracie was fighting Matt Hughes. Boxing will always be king.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by Alexus

There's not a UFC match in the entire world that can compare to a match between two great fighters such as a fight between Mayweather and Mosley or the upcoming Pacman and Hatton.

You just keep talking, but never start knowing...

[Alexus]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

You just keep talking, but never start knowing...

Thank you San Jose, the only city in the country comprised of Goobers, Gomers, and Geeks.

Got any substantive opinions on the topic? Or the usual cryptic one-liners that add nothing to the topic?

[roncorey1]

Boxing is still a very popular sport worldwide. Most, if not all, of the major sanctioning organizations are based outside the U.S. It has become very much a "foreign sport". The modern boxing we see today was conceived of in the U.K. and refined in the U.S., but we have begun to let it go.

Somewhere along the way, probably in the last 10 years, the U.S. lost hold of all the major heavyweight belts. That hurt the most. The heavyweight division has always been the engine of boxing's popularity in the U.S. There have still been some very good middleweights and welters lately from the U.S., but, even when these divisions were hot in the early and mid '80's, the heavyweight division was still dominated by Americans. Plus, I don't think Hopkins, Wright, DelaHoya, Mayweather, and Mosely, as good as they are, compare to Hagler, Hearns, Leonard, Duran, and Benitez.

In my opinion, the best thing for boxing in the U.S. is to get youth involved in the sport again. Watch You-tube and see all the kids staging their own little MMA events and read comments about UFC matches. Channel some of that adrenaline and testosterone into a boxing ring. Alot of colleges and universities used to have boxing. Boys Clubs and YMCA's used to have it. The military has always had pretty good programs. I say get them all back up to speed. It teaches respect and discipline. Low-income kids REALLY need it again! Seems like Tai-Bo got boxing into the suburban "soccer-mom" demographic, but the inner-cities that it used to serve so well has been lost as of late.

Also, promoting of boxing has to change. Needs to be on network TV again. More of it on ESPN or FoxSports. And if SPIKE can show MMA all the time, then why can't they show some boxing? Telemundo and Univision seem to have more boxing now than English-speaking TV. Goes back to what I mentioned earlier, but still at least they show fights. Boxing magazines have died also. Used to go to the bookstore or magazine shop and see great boxing mags like "KO", "Boxing Illustrated", and others. Now all you have is "Ring" magazine. The oldest and best probably, but it's the only one I ever see anymore. And it's controlled by DeLaHoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

Boxing will survive outside the U.S. It's just sad to see it get this low in popularity here. I'll still watch it whenever I can. And thanks to You-Tube I can watch some really good fights from "the good 'ol days".

[Interpol76]

It is in a rut, but not totally dead. Once this UFC fad dies, then it will be back in full force. I just cant believe that "roll around on the ground together for 10 minutes" sport hasnt died out already.

[Linson]

Originally Posted by Interpol76

It is in a rut, but not totally dead. Once this UFC fad dies, then it will be back in full force. I just cant believe that "roll around on the ground together for 10 minutes" sport hasnt died out already.

UFC/MMA is not a fad, and isnt going to die.

you sound ignorant.

dont hate on MMA because people have lost interest in boxing. you sound like an ass.

you sound like one of those guys in high school who would say that the wrestling team was gay because "who wants to roll around on the ground with another guy." yet you knew in your heart that you didnt stand a chance in hell against anybody on the wrestling team.

the real pity is that if you would just swallow your pride, pull your head outta your ass and sit down and watch a UFC or WEC event, you would probably like it. there's no reason why you wouldnt. and dont try to say that you have watched it or that you know anything about it, because that's a lie. anyone who has watched it in the last 5 years would not describe it as "a fad" or as "two guys rolling around on the groud for ten minutes."

in short, sir, you dont have a clue what youre talking about.