Thread: American Boxers Overrated?

Don't get me wrong im not saying all American fighters are overrated but IMO the America media (and also the American public) can often hype up American fighters (past and present fighters) far too much. A few examples being.......

M.Tyson (IMO a very good fighter but not a top 5/10 Heavy of all time as many seem to belive)
M.Ali (a very very talented boxer but not top 1 or 2 p4p great as i have seen written on this forum many a time)
Jermaine Taylor (has been in the p4p rankings for sometime now and i think he still is isn't he? IMO he has the skills but just doesn't use them and he wouldnt be in the top 10 p4p rankings if he wasnt American)
Jeff Lacy (Was predicted to do great things in the 168lb division by the Americans but came completely unstuck when he faced Calzaghe)


Anyways.... Im not trying to be anti American here im just stating my opinion and wanted to know if anyone else agrees/disagrees and the reasons why. Cheers

I know what you mean. But the level of competition around the globe finally are getting much much better and it's pretty hard at this point in time to be the #1 against the world in everything. Those days have passed.

It's like saying that your dad was the best at one thing and people will imagine that the next generation are going to be as as his father in at that thing.

I have to say, I disagree. I was thinking about this today, and I actually feel that the reason boxing has gone into decline is because of the lack of quality American boxers compared to 10 years ago, particularly the Heavyweight division.

The thing about the American fighters is that they have real character and it makes them extremely marketable.

Without the likes of Ali, Holyfield, Tyson, De La Hoya & Mayweather...I don't think boxing would have become so popular in the first place.

Honestly, I don't believe there is a country that has contributed more.
(I'm from the UK, for those of you that don't know and think I'm just being patriotic)

Originally Posted by danchar123

Don't get me wrong im not saying all American fighters are overrated but IMO the America media (and also the American public) can often hype up American fighters (past and present fighters) far too much. A few examples being.......

M.Tyson (IMO a very good fighter but not a top 5/10 Heavy of all time as many seem to belive)
thats very debatable. Tyson in his prime beats any heavyweight in his era or after his era.

M.Ali (a very very talented boxer but not top 1 or 2 p4p great as i have seen written on this forum many a time)
Your outta your fwockin gord.

Jermaine Taylor (has been in the p4p rankings for sometime now and i think he still is isn't he? IMO he has the skills but just doesn't use them and he wouldnt be in the top 10 p4p rankings if he wasnt American)
Being american has nothing to do with his status, yes i believe he is due for a beating. But he has beaten some of the best the division has to offer.

Jeff Lacy (Was predicted to do great things in the 168lb division by the Americans but came completely unstuck when he faced Calzaghe)
jeff lacy was dominated by joe calzaghe, one can say he was hyped up, depending on what he does after the loss to joe C, when he is fully recovered, we will see what type of fighter jeff lacy really is.

Anyways.... Im not trying to be anti American here im just stating my opinion and wanted to know if anyone else agrees/disagrees and the reasons why. Cheers
So ya, i disagree with you.

Originally Posted by bzkfn

I have to say, I disagree. I was thinking about this today, and I actually feel that the reason boxing has gone into decline is because of the lack of quality American boxers compared to 10 years ago, particularly the Heavyweight division.

The thing about the American fighters is that they have real character and it makes them extremely marketable.

Without the likes of Ali, Holyfield, Tyson, De La Hoya & Mayweather...I don't think boxing would have become so popular in the first place.

Honestly, I don't believe there is a country that has contributed more.
(I'm from the UK, for those of you that don't know and think I'm just being patriotic)

It's not that Americans have more character, it's that America is the centre of the boxing world and to Americans, American fighters have more character.

When you talk about marketability the US are bound to market their own more than any others it has nothing to do with them having more character, just that Americans are interested mostly in other Americans, remember 2 out 3 American college kids don't even realise there are other countries.

Originally Posted by Bilbo

Originally Posted by bzkfn

I have to say, I disagree. I was thinking about this today, and I actually feel that the reason boxing has gone into decline is because of the lack of quality American boxers compared to 10 years ago, particularly the Heavyweight division.

The thing about the American fighters is that they have real character and it makes them extremely marketable.

Without the likes of Ali, Holyfield, Tyson, De La Hoya & Mayweather...I don't think boxing would have become so popular in the first place.

Honestly, I don't believe there is a country that has contributed more.
(I'm from the UK, for those of you that don't know and think I'm just being patriotic)

It's not that Americans have more character, it's that America is the centre of the boxing world and to Americans, American fighters have more character.

When you talk about marketability the US are bound to market their own more than any others it has nothing to do with them having more character, just that Americans are interested mostly in other Americans, remember 2 out 3 American college kids don't even realise there are other countries.

After your analysis, you suggest I should change it to...

"Honestly, I can't think of a country that has contributed more to marketing"

America hypes boxing period.
American boxers get hyped here, because THEY'RE HERE. WHY do you think HATTON and CALZAGHE, and most LATINO fighters are so eager to come to the usa. TO GET HYPED UP.
Here is where the money is, here is where the promotion is.
Americans just so happen to live in america
So yes, they will get hyped up, and believe it or not, i know this is going to sound far fetched. But there are more americans in america than there are UK peeps in america. Go figure
SO in saying that, what are the odds that american boxers will get hyped up? hmmm, anyone got a calculator?

Originally Posted by Big_Deuce

Originally Posted by danchar123

Don't get me wrong im not saying all American fighters are overrated but IMO the America media (and also the American public) can often hype up American fighters (past and present fighters) far too much. A few examples being.......

M.Tyson (IMO a very good fighter but not a top 5/10 Heavy of all time as many seem to belive)
thats very debatable. Tyson in his prime beats any heavyweight in his era or after his era.

M.Ali (a very very talented boxer but not top 1 or 2 p4p great as i have seen written on this forum many a time)
Your outta your fwockin gord.

Jermaine Taylor (has been in the p4p rankings for sometime now and i think he still is isn't he? IMO he has the skills but just doesn't use them and he wouldnt be in the top 10 p4p rankings if he wasnt American)
Being american has nothing to do with his status, yes i believe he is due for a beating. But he has beaten some of the best the division has to offer.

Jeff Lacy (Was predicted to do great things in the 168lb division by the Americans but came completely unstuck when he faced Calzaghe)
jeff lacy was dominated by joe calzaghe, one can say he was hyped up, depending on what he does after the loss to joe C, when he is fully recovered, we will see what type of fighter jeff lacy really is.

Anyways.... Im not trying to be anti American here im just stating my opinion and wanted to know if anyone else agrees/disagrees and the reasons why. Cheers
So ya, i disagree with you.

Fair enough, Im not going to say you are wrong its your opinion at the end of the day, Just wanted to know what others thoguht on the subject. On the Jeff Lacy issue i do think he is a good fighter just no where near what the Americans would have you believe (pre Calzaghe fight), now i think he is underrated.

Originally Posted by Big_Deuce

America hypes boxing period.
American boxers get hyped here, because THEY'RE HERE. WHY do you think HATTON and CALZAGHE, and most LATINO fighters are so eager to come to the usa. TO GET HYPED UP.
Here is where the money is, here is where the promotion is.
Americans just so happen to live in america
So yes, they will get hyped up, and believe it or not, i know this is going to sound far fetched. But there are more americans in america than there are UK peeps in america. Go figure
SO in saying that, what are the odds that american boxers will get hyped up? hmmm, anyone got a calculator?

Thats about right
America's the largest market for boxing,American boxers get more exposure in it,creating more boxers,creating more competition

Originally Posted by Big_Deuce

America hypes boxing period.
American boxers get hyped here, because THEY'RE HERE. WHY do you think HATTON and CALZAGHE, and most LATINO fighters are so eager to come to the usa. TO GET HYPED UP.
Here is where the money is, here is where the promotion is.
Americans just so happen to live in america
So yes, they will get hyped up, and believe it or not, i know this is going to sound far fetched. But there are more americans in america than there are UK peeps in america. Go figure
SO in saying that, what are the odds that american boxers will get hyped up? hmmm, anyone got a calculator?

You learn something new everyday

Originally Posted by bzkfn

I have to say, I disagree. I was thinking about this today, and I actually feel that the reason boxing has gone into decline is because of the lack of quality American boxers compared to 10 years ago, particularly the Heavyweight division.

The thing about the American fighters is that they have real character and it makes them extremely marketable.

Without the likes of Ali, Holyfield, Tyson, De La Hoya & Mayweather...I don't think boxing would have become so popular in the first place.


Honestly, I don't believe there is a country that has contributed more.
(I'm from the UK, for those of you that don't know and think I'm just being patriotic)

I have to respectfully disagree with you on one point you made. Boxing is not popular today because of the Tyson's and Mayweather's. Ali yes. They make it popular TODAY, but it isn't near as popular as it seemed to be before any of those aformentioned guys came around. Ali and Foreman were the end of an ERA IMO. The likes of Robinson, Braddock, Walcott, Johnson, Tunney, Bascillio: they made boxing popular and are really what laid that foundation for this sport to even exist today. All respect to the fighters you mentioned, but boxing isn't what it was, not percentage wise anyways as far as memorable fights.

Originally Posted by Bilbo

Originally Posted by bzkfn

I have to say, I disagree. I was thinking about this today, and I actually feel that the reason boxing has gone into decline is because of the lack of quality American boxers compared to 10 years ago, particularly the Heavyweight division.

The thing about the American fighters is that they have real character and it makes them extremely marketable.

Without the likes of Ali, Holyfield, Tyson, De La Hoya & Mayweather...I don't think boxing would have become so popular in the first place.

Honestly, I don't believe there is a country that has contributed more.
(I'm from the UK, for those of you that don't know and think I'm just being patriotic)

When you talk about marketability the US are bound to market their own more than any others it has nothing to do with them having more character, just that Americans are interested mostly in other Americans, remember 2 out 3 American college kids don't even realise there are other countries.

Originally Posted by Big_Deuce

and believe it or not, i know this is going to sound far fetched. But there are more americans in america than there are UK peeps in america.

I think in the UK it's different. We've got more immigrants than natives, they certainly have a bigger political voice anyhow.

Originally Posted by LEGION

Originally Posted by bzkfn

I have to say, I disagree. I was thinking about this today, and I actually feel that the reason boxing has gone into decline is because of the lack of quality American boxers compared to 10 years ago, particularly the Heavyweight division.

The thing about the American fighters is that they have real character and it makes them extremely marketable.

Without the likes of Ali, Holyfield, Tyson, De La Hoya & Mayweather...I don't think boxing would have become so popular in the first place.


Honestly, I don't believe there is a country that has contributed more.
(I'm from the UK, for those of you that don't know and think I'm just being patriotic)

I have to respectfully disagree with you on one point you made. Boxing is not popular today because of the Tyson's and Mayweather's. Ali yes. They make it popular TODAY, but it isn't near as popular as it seemed to be before any of those aformentioned guys came around. Ali and Foreman were the end of an ERA IMO. The likes of Robinson, Braddock, Walcott, Johnson, Tunney, Bascillio: they made boxing popular and are really what laid that foundation for this sport to even exist today. All respect to the fighters you mentioned, but boxing isn't what it was, not percentage wise anyways as far as memorable fights.

That has more to do with PPV,then anything
Back when I was growing up,youd get to see guys like Ali,Frazier,Leanord,Foreman,all in their prime
Nowadays unless your a serious ESPN junky,youve never seen Mayweather,etc,etc fight unless your willing to pony up 49.95
And even if you are a serious ESPN junky youve only seen these guys on their way up

Originally Posted by LEGION

Originally Posted by bzkfn

I have to say, I disagree. I was thinking about this today, and I actually feel that the reason boxing has gone into decline is because of the lack of quality American boxers compared to 10 years ago, particularly the Heavyweight division.

The thing about the American fighters is that they have real character and it makes them extremely marketable.

Without the likes of Ali, Holyfield, Tyson, De La Hoya & Mayweather...I don't think boxing would have become so popular in the first place.


Honestly, I don't believe there is a country that has contributed more.
(I'm from the UK, for those of you that don't know and think I'm just being patriotic)

I have to respectfully disagree with you on one point you made. Boxing is not popular today because of the Tyson's and Mayweather's. Ali yes. They make it popular TODAY, but it isn't near as popular as it seemed to be before any of those aformentioned guys came around. Ali and Foreman were the end of an ERA IMO. The likes of Robinson, Braddock, Walcott, Johnson, Tunney, Bascillio: they made boxing popular and are really what laid that foundation for this sport to even exist today. All respect to the fighters you mentioned, but boxing isn't what it was, not percentage wise anyways as far as memorable fights.

True, but the people who I mentioned bring the average joe to boxing. I bet people who have a casual interest in boxing watched DLH-Mayweather, Tyson-Holyfield and know who Ali is. You ask average joe on the street, he'll have no fucking clue who Vitali Klitschko is.