What happend to Great American Heavyweight Boxers? (football, basketball, pro)

[LaoTzuMindFu]

We used to lead the world when it came to heavyweight boxing. Now, the US only has one heavyweight boxer ranked in the top ten (McCline) and he's waaay past his prime and tends to always be overweight and flabby for his fights.

This really saddens me because we have always had the Heavyweight Title here since way back in the Jack Johnson days. We let Schmelling (a German) hold it for a second or two before Joe Louis took it from him, but this just amazes me.

Many people involved with boxing credit the fact that so many Russian boxers are at the top now because they all came from some very poor, rough backgrounds and they HAD to be successful to earn money. When will we have another great american heavyweight?

Current top ten:

1. Wladimir Klitschko
2. Oleg Maskaev
3. Samuel Peter
4. Ruslan Chagaev
5. Sultan Ibragimov
6. Vitali Klitschko
7. Sergei Liakhovich
8. Nicolay Valuev
9. Jameel McCline
10. David Tua

[Matt Angry]

1 Wladimir Klitschko 1169 49 (44) - 3 (3) - 0 1996 31 orthodox Ukraine
2 Ruslan Chagaev 939 24 (17) - 0 (0) - 1 1997 29 southpaw Uzbekistan
3 Samuel Peter 776 29 (22) - 1 (0) - 0 2001 27 orthodox Nigeria
4 Nikolay Valuev 691 47 (34) - 1 (0) - 0 1993 34 orthodox Russia
5 Sultan Ibragimov 622 22 (17) - 0 (0) - 1 2002 32 southpaw Russia
6 Alexander Povetkin 617 15 (11) - 0 (0) - 1 2005 28 orthodox Russia
7 Tony Thompson 616 31 (19) - 1 (0)-0 2000 36 southpaw United States
8 Vladimir Virchis 531 24 (20) - 1 (0) - 0 1999 34 orthodox Ukraine
9 John Ruiz 505 42 (29) - 7 (1) - 1 1992 36 orthodox United States
10 Juan Carlos Gomez 462 43 (35) - 1 (1) - 0 1995 34 southpaw Cuba

Then there is more after that 12,13,14,17 & 20
http://www.boxrec.com/ratings.php?se...on=Heavyweight

Not the glory days, thats for sure!!!

[cynwldkat]

Seems that we don't make 'em like we use to!!

[Mike in TN]

I credit the european amateur system more than anything.

[Positiveone]

They are all playing basketball & football, pays much more! Boxing isnt the same anymore. The last heavyweight that brought any real big draw was Tyson, heck if they made Tyson vs any top name today that Pay Per view would do pretty good and Tyson is so past his prime. The UFC is is grwoing so much faster then boxing is right now.

[Ultrarunner]

There was a time when Colleges and Universities had well established Boxing Programs and the Military also promoted the Sport...

[cynwldkat]

There was a time when "I" would look forward to seeing a good boxing match and would really see a good match!!! To make it better I would know and follow the boxer. It really has lost a lot of it's glamor...sigh.....

[steve1873]

Don King happened.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by steve1873

Don King happened.

How true.

Its the lure of money that causes a lot of talented fighters to turn pro instead of perfecting their art in the Amature ranks. Then, they have handlers who spoon-feed them unworthy opponents all the time and prevent them from actually fighting talented fighters. I would love to see a group of wealthy investors just take over boxing. Mark Cuban/Bill Gates/Ted Turner/John McCain/Ring Magazine should pool their money and buy out the WBC/WBA/IBF/IBA and create ONE UNIFIED BOXING ORGANIZATION because these organizations along with King have ruined my boxing.