Is Abel Sanchez right?

[boxing_rocks]

There is a lot of noise in a certain demographic group of fans now about Sanchez being a racist for saying that most of black fighters now don't have fan pleasing styles:



Do you think Sanchez statement is true, i.e. an African American fighter on average has a less fan pleasing style than a Mexican or a post-Soviet fighter?

Of course, there are fighters like Spence who are there to hurt their opponents, but they are outnumbered by runners, huggers, spoilers, defensive boxers. Many boxers look like killers when facing opponents who are not dangerous, but start using defensive styles when stepping up.

[gilgamesh]

Though you have a lot of defensive minded Black fighters not every Black guy fights like that. You also got guys like Wilder, Joshua, Jarrett Hurd who are definitely thinking offense first and looking for the KO. Just depends on the fighter.

I definitely don't think the general public is gonna be into defensive fighters for the most part, but then again Mayweather is basically a defense first kinda guy, and he's the most well paid fighter in the sports history pretty much so...who knows. There's more elements to selling yourself to the public than just how you fight I think. You gotta have the personality, and the names on your record to draw big money.

[SenorPipino]

Top black fighters, for whatever reason, are generally faster and more mobile than boxers of other races.

Some blacks can hit with power, other can't. It's the same with all races.

But blacks use, as they wisely should, the god given gifts that they have to their best advantage.

Why stand and slug and get tagged if you can be slick, quick and seldom be hit?

Nothing wrong with defense. I'm sure Brandon Rios would have been ecstatic to get hit a little less if he possesed that ability.

So I do think Sanchez is somewhat wrong.

His view is a generalization even if I recognize that talented black fighter (especially at a lower weight) are more apt to use speed, boxing prowess and a certain degree of slickness than many Latino or white counterparts.

Many fans enjoy and appreciate that style.

Is it racist to raise the topic? I don't think so. Nowadays, every reference to race is quickly shouted down as a racist comment.

It gets in the way of rational discussion.

[Boxing Writer]

There is a lot of noise in a certain demographic group of fans now about Sanchez being a racist for saying that most of black fighters now don't have fan pleasing styles:



Do you think Sanchez statement is true, i.e. an African American fighter on average has a less fan pleasing style than a Mexican or a post-Soviet fighter?

Of course, there are fighters like Spence who are there to hurt their opponents, but they are outnumbered by runners, huggers, spoilers, defensive boxers. Many boxers look like killers when facing opponents who are not dangerous, but start using defensive styles when stepping up.

He is wrong. It just has happened that 4 best black fighters of the last 10-15 years - Floyd, Hopkins, Ward and Rigo - were boring. But guys like AJ, Spence, Wilder, Stevenson, Jack, Hurd aren't boring at all.

[ValMar]

There is a lot of noise in a certain demographic group of fans now about Sanchez being a racist for saying that most of black fighters now don't have fan pleasing styles:



Do you think Sanchez statement is true, i.e. an African American fighter on average has a less fan pleasing style than a Mexican or a post-Soviet fighter?

Of course, there are fighters like Spence who are there to hurt their opponents, but they are outnumbered by runners, huggers, spoilers, defensive boxers. Many boxers look like killers when facing opponents who are not dangerous, but start using defensive styles when stepping up.

He is wrong. It just has happened that 4 best black fighters of the last 10-15 years - Floyd, Hopkins, Ward and Rigo - were boring. But guys like AJ, Spence, Wilder, Stevenson, Jack, Hurd aren't boring at all.

You are right, 100 %............
I have a question for Americans : Is Abel Sanchez white ? I am serious.......What about Arreola, Golovkin, Bivol ?

[jamamb]

there are loads of good black fighters and while some have a boring defensive style many are entertaining. there is plenty of diversity among them.

[jamamb]

btw that makes me wonder, who is the best white american boxer now? caleb plant?

[Best Coast]

I met Abel Sanchez in the 1990s and have always have admired his work, but he really disappointments with this racial crack. I'm not saying Abel is a racist, but it is clearly an example of racial stereotyping, which is the essence of racism. More importantly, like almost ALL stereotypes, this one is wrong!!

Interesting that Abel does not (to my knowledge) currently train any black fighters, which makes his comments all the more irritating.

Abel needs to shut up and let his work do the talking for him. People that spew bullcrap like this usually have too much time on their hands.

[Blodhemn]

Didn't watch the video so I'm not sure exactly what's said, but if it's "top black fighters aren't entertaining" then he's right until recently. Crawford(sometimes) and Spence break that mold. There has been a stretch where "safety first" boxing has ruled since American fighters have become spoiled.

Also funny that traditional "Mexican style" doesn't much exist anymore among the top. Moreso just fighting for points instead of brawling. That's more of a concern for the sport really. If the Mexican fanbase dies out due to point fighting like Canelo, then the sport is done.

[BitPlayer]

I think more seem to have "whatever it takes to win" mentalities, and maybe more have defensive style. Though I don't have an issue with either, in fact I think the sport would be a lot poorer without them.

I wonder if it's a bit of a legacy of "black code" fighters.

Personally I think uncompetitive fights are a much bigger issue than stylistic issues. Or those really one paced fights, that I actually think the "whatever it takes to win" mentality might help prevent.