BoxRec

OK, it's far from obvious that there are boxers that people hate for whatever reason. Be it big or small and petty.

Sadly but obviously racism is a huge factor into this, though the overwhelming majority will obviously deny this

What got me thinking was Amir Khan.
When a "Hater" of Amir Khan was is why he hates him, he he replies "Oh He is a cocky arrogant boxer". When asked "how?" Well the Hater will come out with the same rhetoric nonsense, such as "oh he just is" or along those lines.

I don't know why they say this, i mean i hardly ever see him on the news or the media like you see some boxers, pulling all sorts of stunts. Such as certain boxers getting into brawls in petty clubs, others getting photographed with "another women", talking about how much money they have, and what cars they have etc. etc.

The only negative thing i have seen about him is probably the car accident, but it was hardly egotistic of him, it was just him being careless

Only other time i have seen him is in local papers with him doing charity events up and down the country.

Weirdly, the the main "Haters" are the guys who are considered "Boxing Fans". Ironic if you ask me..

What with alot of the best boxers retiring now, and the new generation coming up, i have noticed nearly all of them have a band of haters, all with petty reasons. Khan is probably the only real young "established" prospect at the moment in Britain, yet he attracts more hate from British supporters than elsewhere.

Apart from the Race factor, im wondering, what other reasons are there.
Not taking a pop, but wondering how guys like Hatton can get photographed with women and can get away with his ridiculous drink habits, and Calzaghe allegedly "cheating" on his wife is brushed under the carpet by "Boxing Fans". etc. You get the picture.

Here's what I put on this subject on another thread:

"As I've said, it's nothing about the kid personally - you're completely right about the Olympics and the big rise in popularity. But since, we have been told regularly about how he's the next best thing since sliced bread...when he isn't. Fine. That's a promoter's job and also the TV companies'. But when people are told that his shit opposition are danger men, it's just insulting and inaccurate. Although, to be fair, he's so chinny that some who shouldn't be are danger men! You might also say that's their job too. But, in the long run, it damages the sport. Even Joe Public know a stiff when they see one. Then they are 'persuaded' to part with decent money to see the fornicator blown away on PPV and think...what a load of shit. Rip off. Boxing's shite."

It's more about the hype machine surrounding him. Although he is avoiding his main domestic competition too which is simply wrong.

observer1 wrote: Sadly but obviously racism is a huge factor into this, though the overwhelming majority will obviously deny this

Couple of points: It's not automatic that someone is racist for not liking Obama, Khan, Lewis Hamilton or Emile Heskey. You putting it out there that the overwhelming majority will deny racism falsely is damaging to any anti-racist dialogue you might wish to have. You should know better.

The more arrogance and cockiness in a boxer the better IMO

teddy007 wrote:
Amir Khans large band of Pakistan/Muslim followers are racist more so than the boxing fans who dont like him. I've seen them first hand and they hate white/black people. They also know f all about boxing.

Totally agree with your comment and have experienced it first hand at several Amir fights - how some of them haven't kicked off is beyond me. The atmosphere for Woods vs. Johnson was very tense.

Remember having to listen to twats in Pakistan cricket tops behind me scream at Willie Limond to get back to his own fuckin country the Scottish pudendum. But if I screamed at Amir to get back to his own fuckin country (not that I would mind) I'd be done for racisim so how does that work?

I was in court when Naseem Hamed got sent down. As I walked out I found myself behind Hamed's family. One of the many male relatives/friends there (before a needless melee kicked off) said outside the court, very loudly "If that had been a white man, he would have got off."

Utter, utter bullshit. Racism...hmmm.

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:I was in court was Naseem Hamed got sent down. As I walked out I found myself behind Hamed's family. One of the many male relatives/friends there (before a needless melee kicked off) said outside the court, very loudly "If that had been a white man, he would have got off."

Utter, utter bullshit. Racism...hmmm.

Agreed...

I loved Naz but i hate amir khan. My main reason is nothing to do with race, or arrogance but the way khan refuses to fight his best domestic rivals.

Dirk Kelly wrote:

teddy007 wrote:
Amir Khans large band of Pakistan/Muslim followers are racist more so than the boxing fans who dont like him. I've seen them first hand and they hate white/black people. They also know f all about boxing.

Totally agree with your comment and have experienced it first hand at several Amir fights - how some of them haven't kicked off is beyond me. The atmosphere for Woods vs. Johnson was very tense.

Remember having to listen to twats in Pakistan cricket tops behind me scream at Willie Limond to get back to his own fuckin country the Scottish pudendum. But if I screamed at Amir to get back to his own fuckin country (not that I would mind) I'd be done for racisim so how does that work?

Couldnt agree more with both comments , but yet again when these people scream the comments they do
at the shows what happens to them? Absolutely fornicate all thats what!!!!!
I just wonder if the same would happen if it was the other way round?

I don't really have a problem with Amir as a person, yes he was guilty of careless driving but at the complete opposite end of the scale to Naz's crime(which was completely reckless driving which would have scared the shit out of a racing driver and didn't give a shit who he hurt) as for some of his fans? Yes I agree but he isn't the only one with racist fans either.

I have a problem with a boxer that hasn't even won the British title saying he'll beat Pacman after his demolision of Diaz. I found that disrespectful. That's the only reason why I'm not so keen.

I don't mind gobby fighters that can back it up with skill and prove themselves to us; (Froch, Haye, Mayweather Jr).

jayc wrote:I loved Naz but i hate amir khan. My main reason is nothing to do with race, or arrogance but the way khan refuses to fight his best domestic rivals.

To be fair I'd like to see him in with Thaxton or Murray before Barrera but this is still a big test and he's beaten some good domestic competition..

Like several on here i've met him and he was a lovely guy, but a lot of his fans, as has been mentioned, are arseholes.

I think the main reason people think Amir is arrogant is from what he says in newspapers i.e 'Im the best lightweight in the world, 'Im above the other lightweights' etc etc.

IF, and I stress it an if, Khan faces Barerra - then I hope that will be the end of him being labelled "a ducker" or whatever the term is these days.

If Murray signed to fight Barerra, there would be hundreds of posts of how brilliantly brave Murray is.

This is a huge fight for Khan, and one where I see him losing.

I'm a fan of Amir Khan. I'm white. I think race enters the equation a lot less than is put across. Warren hasn't exactly helped with Khan's PR. Khan really needs someone to give him a bit of coaching on what to say (like Emerson said, Khan saying he could beat Pacquiao is silly and disrespectful). I think Amir Khan is generally a nice guy.

stujones wrote:IF, and I stress it an if, Khan faces Barerra - then I hope that will be the end of him being labelled "a ducker" or whatever the term is these days.

If Murray signed to fight Barerra, there would be hundreds of posts of how brilliantly brave Murray is.

This is a huge fight for Khan, and one where I see him losing.

I don't think Khan would duck anyone. The only reason he hasn't been in the ring with Murray and Thaxton is because of Warren and Powell, imo.

Asterix wrote:I'm a fan of Amir Khan. I'm white. I think race enters the equation a lot less than is put across. Warren hasn't exactly helped with Khan's PR. Khan really needs someone to give him a bit of coaching on what to say (like Emerson said, Khan saying he could beat Pacquiao is silly and disrespectful). I think Amir Khan is generally a nice guy.

Fwarren doesn't help with anyone's PR, look at the stick Calzaghe, Hatton and co have taken over the years when in any other country they'd be treated like Gods.

His matchmaking and bullshit don't help matters..

Observer, you fuel racism with posts like this. I have made comments about Witter, Froch and Khan being arrogant so I am not picking on any ethnic group in particular. You seem to dismiss his driving appallingly as just a mistake. Naz, an arrogant former fighter had the same attitude behind the wheel. Sorry but I dont like people like that regardless of their culture or skin tone. In fairness to Witter and Froch they do seem to be much more likeable these days. Most white people I know either like or dislike Khan and it has nothing to do with his ethnic background. His mouthing off at Thaxton and Murray and not fighting either one has pissed a lot of us off. Asians and some black people like to use the racist card when it suits them while white people say very little. I remember a time when Britain was very racist but things have improved a lot since then. Its easy to see what you are saying and it isnt helpful in getting all Gods people to live side by side in harmony. No I dont like Khan and I have seriously gone off Hatton for other reasons. Race is not the issue but it obviously is for you.

Captain Hook wrote:

Asterix wrote:I'm a fan of Amir Khan. I'm white. I think race enters the equation a lot less than is put across. Warren hasn't exactly helped with Khan's PR. Khan really needs someone to give him a bit of coaching on what to say (like Emerson said, Khan saying he could beat Pacquiao is silly and disrespectful). I think Amir Khan is generally a nice guy.

Fwarren doesn't help with anyone's PR, look at the stick Calzaghe, Hatton and co have taken over the years when in any other country they'd be treated like Gods.

His matchmaking and bullshit don't help matters..

Yeah, I completely agree. It's so stupid as well, because all it needs is a bit of common sense to put across a better image for Warren and his fighters.

Terence wrote:When Amir was KO'd by Prescott a few Asian fans in front of where I was sitting started celebrating and laughing. I screamed, "Racist Uncle Toms! How much is The Man paying you to spread these negative vibes, man?!" They were both deaf, so probably saw this white guy shouting at them and thought, "Red neck cracker!"

It literally is a hornets nest.

Dirk and I have been to 4 of his fights and every one there's been crowd trouble. Not his fault, mind.

banjo wrote:I don't really have a problem with Amir as a person, yes he was guilty of careless driving but at the complete opposite end of the scale to Naz's crime(which was completely reckless driving which would have scared the shit out of a racing driver and didn't give a shit who he hurt) as for some of his fans? Yes I agree but he isn't the only one with racist fans either.

I think overtaking at lights on the wrong side of the road and knocking some poor old bloke over is completely reckless. Had the man died it would have been a charge of manslaughter, a greater crime than in the case of Naz. Young people whoever they are should be forced to drive a standard family car for thee years after passing their test. Either that or make the min age for powerful cars 25.

James Degale comes across as arrogant IMO. He was in the newspaper the other day talking about how goodlooking he is, how before he had no problem getting the girls but since hes won the medal they are all over him, how hes slept with some minor celebrities, how hes posed naked for Cosmo magazine ( although that is a good cause) how he carrys gold business cards around with him etc etc. what a idiot.

After Khans constant boasting and running down of other British boxers whilst beating up on smaller opponents its no wonder a lot of people don,t take to him.

An a**ehole is still an a**ehole whatever colour it is.

stujones wrote:IF, and I stress it an if, Khan faces Barerra - then I hope that will be the end of him being labelled "a ducker" or whatever the term is these days.

If Murray signed to fight Barerra, there would be hundreds of posts of how brilliantly brave Murray is.

This is a huge fight for Khan, and one where I see him losing.

Racist bastard. 8)

observer1 wrote: Apart from the Race factor, im wondering, what other reasons are there.
Not taking a pop, but wondering how guys like Hatton can get photographed with women and can get away with his ridiculous drink habits, and Calzaghe allegedly "cheating" on his wife is brushed under the carpet by "Boxing Fans". etc. You get the picture.

As everyone has pointed out, Khan gets called arrogant because of some of the daft things he's said in the past. Your Hatton/Calzaghe comparison is weird though.