I'm sure their are some other factors that have contributed to the sports demise but I believe that its lack of availability to the public is largely responsible. In the golden years of boxing, fights could be found on basic television channels, for all who had a television to see. Lately, however, the high profile fights are only available on Payperview channels. For the common fan its sometimes hard to afford these fights. And now, with the extreme popularity of the UFC and mixed martial arts fighting, boxing is facing some fierce competition.
Even though high profile fights are still bringing in plenty of cash, and the athletes themselves too, the sport of boxing seems to be taking a hard hit. As a fan of boxing its hard to watch a sport filled with such a rich history and tradition lose its popularity.
Cody,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying. I'm not a huge boxing fan myself but I can definitely see where you're coming from. I think I would have been a bigger boxing fan if it were televised on cable television. Muhammad Ali used to be one of the biggest sports icons in the world and probably still is but in today's world of sports only athletes from football, basketball, and baseball can claim that right. I believe if boxing were televised on cable it would be more popular and have a bigger role in today's society of sport. I also agree with you that UFC and other fighting programs are giving boxing heavy competition and contributing to the decline of the sport. It is unfair for people who cant afford pay per view to miss out on the sport they love. I couldn't imagine having to pay extra money to see an NFL game.
I also watched the Mayweather and Marquez fight. My brothers and my dad are boxing fans but even they admit that the sport of boxing is not what it used to be. At the end of the fight when they interviewed Mayweather I alomost felt like I was watching WWE which we all know is totally fake.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that UFC is giving boxing some fierce competiton. However I feel that if boxing was available on cable and you didnt have to orderit from paperview to watch a fight that boxing would regain some its popularity.
This was a great post with very good comments from Nick and Natalie. I don't think it was off the subject to mention the Mayweather v. Marquez fight at all. In fact, I really liked this statement that you made at the end: "As a fan of boxing its hard to watch a sport filled with such a rich history and tradition lose its popularity." I think the organizers and promoters of boxing need to recognize that rich history if they ever hope to regain the place that boxing once held in US sporting culture.
ReplyDelete