Thread: Apart from Mayweather & PacMan boxing has no superstars

Would anybody disagree.

Bad for the sport.

Originally Posted by porkypara

Would anybody disagree.

Bad for the sport.

I think the Klitchkos probably qualify as superstars in Germany and Eastern Europe.

Otherwise, agreed. (I assume we're both including as a "superstar" requirement that the person has cross-over appeal/ is well-known by people who don't follow boxing at all.)

Agreed

The Klitschkos have mass appeal but are not global superstars.

Apart from the 4 already mentioned, I reckon the average sports fan wouldn't even be able to name any of the other top ten p4p active fighters today

the governing bodies, fighters and promoters should read this thread !

I'm not sure how atypical this is, though (at least post-WWII).

Who in the 90s was a true superstar? Tyson, Holyfield, De la Hoya, RJJ. Can't think of any others. I don't think Lennox Lewis was ever a recognizable name to non-boxing fans in the U.S.

80s: Tyson, SRL, and to a lesser extent Hagler, Hearns, JCC (and he's borderline outside of Latin America).

I may be missing a couple but I don't think there have ever been more than maybe a handful at a time during my lifetime.

Boxing cycles through its stars with crossover appeal. Honestly we as fans can blame ourselves at times. Those two specifically have caused us tunnel vision clamoring far too long for them to shut up and fight already. Then what do ya know, Mayweather gets a decent scrap from Cotto and makes news for all of the wrong reasons outside of the ring...and Manny arguably losses to JMM and then gets back handed by judges with Bradley.

I don't know. I've always thought of the match ups and actual fights the stars. What we call superstars or elite and what others "know"...casual fans...can be that way for a reason. Shit I still have a couple of friends ask about Jones Jr. You tell them yeh...he's top ranked and won his last fight and get "thats cause he's a bad ass" then ya tell them no...no...he's shot to hell then get a deer in a headlights look back..."hows that possible though"? Its frustrating.

One thing is certain and thats you cannot 'force' stardom. Its not manufactured and I think networks may be leaning toward that idea. Its natural...its promotion but man its so transparent at times. I put Gamboa, Rios, Berto, Canelo, a Broner among others who are or were taking some shortcuts and the powers that be giving them a wink & nod. I think Donaire considers himself a superstar but even he is almost short changing himself and just getting caught up in force feeding fans just how 'great' he is. Don't tell us...show up in top form and display it consistently. All this nonsense talk of 3,4,5 divisions or belts. Sergio Martinez is close with crossover and ability and if he trumps Chavez part deaux it would go along way.

I don't care how big a name you are or how big you think you deserve to be, just give me good fights. I'll take two journeymen in an 6 round war over some spoiled diva whipping a part time line cook for some trinket anyday of the week. Alot of the time you really don't know where or who will produce them until we're asking where'd this dude come from? Alright, coffee induced ramble fini

Originally Posted by porkypara

Would anybody disagree.

Bad for the sport.

True, but someone else will come along to fill their shoes as long as there's big money to be made.

This is true, to an extent. As far a general appeal this is true. As far as the boxing public is concerned there's guys like Broner, Donaire, Martinez and such. For your purposes, I expect you mean mainstream. To that I would agree. Goldenboy made a push for Ortiz and failed.

Originally Posted by shza

I'm not sure how atypical this is, though (at least post-WWII).

Who in the 90s was a true superstar? Tyson, Holyfield, De la Hoya, RJJ. Can't think of any others. I don't think Lennox Lewis was ever a recognizable name to non-boxing fans in the U.S.

80s: Tyson, SRL, and to a lesser extent Hagler, Hearns, JCC (and he's borderline outside of Latin America).

I may be missing a couple but I don't think there have ever been more than maybe a handful at a time during my lifetime.

You know, this is a great point. This is a truth.
The way it's going, though; boxing has less and less superstars as years go by. No doubt other will come after Manny and Floyd, but they're getting fewer and far between. Other sports are grabbing them with less chance of brain trauma and depression. It's a fact.

Originally Posted by porkypara

Would anybody disagree.

Bad for the sport.

Ebbs and flows, that's boxing we must remember in some country's there fighters are superstars, to them. But at this moment in time, superstars in boxing are a bit thin on the ground.

Pac is only a superstar in his homeland and he is almost done. He has lost his last 2 IMO. A man of diminshing returns.

Amir Khan says he is a superstar

Originally Posted by Gandalf

Pac is only a superstar in his homeland and he is almost done. He has lost his last 2 IMO. A man of diminshing returns.

I'm with you on Pac being overrated, but he qualifies as a superstar outside of the Phillipines for sure. I know plenty of people who know nothing about boxing who know Pacquiao's name (along with Mayweather, Ali, Foreman, Tyson, and Frazier). He's been in Nike and Hennessy commercials in the US.

Originally Posted by rjj tszyu

Amir Khan says he is a superstar

I say I'm good looking ,from 300yards away.

Klits are evergreen-bestsellers.