Tom, I don't blame the young crowd for choosing MMA. If I were a kid, I'm certain that I would do the same thing.raylawpc wrote:I think younger fans who would have gone for boxing, are now going for MMA. However, boxing may lure them away as they get older. An example is my oldest son, who is a big MMA fan. For a time, I couldn't interest him in boxing at all. Now he is getting interested in boxing, watches fights with me, and asks me a lot of questions.Randyman wrote:I worked with a guy here that had been a huge boxing fan for years. I met him at the first De la Hoya vs Chavez fight. For years we have either discussed the upcoming fights or the results and everything in between. About a year ago I saw him and asked him " Seen any good fights lately?" He said " No, I don't follow boxing anymore, I just watch MMA". That was the end of that.Rick Farris wrote:Boxing and the MMA . . .
Lots of people are under the impression that boxing is losing fans to the MMA, but I have to disagree.
Boxing fans and MMA fans are a different breed.
If people are losing interest in boxing, it's not because of a new fighting sport. It's because championship boxing today rarely provides competitive fights, such as the Leonard-Duran, Ali-Frazier, Sugar Ray Robinson-Fullmer bouts we all grew up enjoying. Protected boxers, lack of activity, arrogant high-profile champions, wrestling type promotional tactics, lack of small clubs that develop contenders, and on-and-on.
When a major fight rolls into Las Vegas, so do the high rollers and fans who will book a room, take advantage of the Las Vegas attractions, restaurants, etc. Boxing fans are mature and do things differently than the younger MMA fans.
The MMA fans are less likely to throw down a wager, book rooms or spend much money while they are in town.
The guys who like MMA are not, for the most part, former boxing die hards who have lost interest in prizefighting.
Boxing fans are boxing fans, and the same with the MMA. The younger fans will gravitate to the MMA because it's trendy, exciting, and seems more suitable to the interests of a younger crowd. Maybe some of those fans would have chosen boxing if it were more like it used to be? Sadly, those days are dead & gone.
Boxing has been down many times over the years and always has made a comeback. However, the foundation of those successful comebacks were great fighters matched in competitive fights. In the early 60's, after all the bad PR that surfaced after the Jim Norris, Frankie Carbo scandals, etc. it was believed that boxing would soon be abolished, if nothing else lose it's appeal to the public.
We in L.A. saw a rebirth thru the promotional skill of Aileen Eaton & George Parnassus. As these legendary promoters died, they passed the torch to the next generation, which included Hall of Famers Don Fraser and Don Chargin, to name a couple.
With the two Don's of L.A. Boxing now in retirement, and nobody capable of making a card consisting of competitive matches, promoters focus on Bullsh_t to sell a card. They believe that what people come to see is half-naked ring card girls, a high-profile ring announcer, rap music, etc. etc.
I always have believed that boxing (as we know it) would never die. However, with the exception of a hand full of truly great boxers, such as Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, etc. things are pretty much dead. That is my opinion.
-Rick Farris
For the most part Rick, you are absolutely correct. A whole different crowd and a completely different breed. By the way, whaddaya got against half naked ring card girls??
The younger crowd did not grow up with Ike Williams, Wille Pep. Roberto Duran, Ray Robinson, etc.
As Carlos Palomino pointed out in the post above, Manny Pacquaio reminds him of Roberto Duran. I've felt that for awhile now.
Pac is exciting, a winner and a true fighter. He also has qualities of the true greats such as Dempsey, etc. He's a people person.
Sadly, there is only one Pacquaio today. A few years ago, Manny would not be so unique. He wouldn't dominate a Carlos Ortiz as he does today's lot.
I like the fighters who speak softly and do their job in the ring. Such boxers are scarce today.
When I see boxers making faces at each other, trash talking, etc. I think of guys like Dempsey who did their fighting in the ring.
The younger crowd seems to buy into all the intimidation tactics.
I liked Sonny Liston and Duran, they didn't talk crap, but more than once I saw opponents melt when looking into their eyes during the instructions.
Many boxing matches are won or lost before the opening bell. It isn't words or nasty looks that gets to them, it's the energy only a true prizefighter can convey, and they do it naturally.
