Has a European Champion Ever Transcended to Stardom in the United States?

Lennox Lewis. As Ross said.

What Americans can draw as big a crowd as Calzaghe, Hatton and Froch?

The one who eventually became the most loved and accepted as a star everywhere, was probably Kostya and thats amazing when you think of the Russian US rivalry and how hard headed some old people were over it as he headed into the pro circuit ,that proved boxing stood alone on such things.

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Originally Posted by Rantcatrat

I can't recall. I'm sure that there have been champions from Europe that have become big boxing stars in the United States though. I thought about it because I watched Steve Kim's interview of Larry Merchant and Larry thought that it would be impossible for GGG to break through to stardom because he's European and a European fighter has never broken through to American audiences on the top level before.

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Lennox Lewis - born and bred in East London, England, Europe :)

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Originally Posted by Freedom

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Originally Posted by ross

The Klitschkos?

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Never been accepted by many in the US media or by many American boxing fans.

Most Americans generally only like African-American boxers. There are a few cases where they will accept a boxer from another country as long as he's not white.

The Klitschkos, Hatton, Calzaghe, Dariusz have generally been ridiculed and discredited by American fans and media people.

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That is a crock of shit, sir! I don't like the way Wlad or Calzaghe fights but, but I certainly appreciate what they accomplished. I don't like the way Hopkins or Ward fight, but I appreciate what they have accomplished.
The one fighter I despise is an African-American, but I still appreciate what he did in the ring. One of my strongest desires is to live longer than he does so I can piss on his grave.
Martinez was big in the US, as was Hatton. GGG could be very big if he keeps winning, and the sky's the limit for Kovalev if he gets past Hopkins.
The American boxing media criticize and point out, what they consider problems, with all fighters; weak records, weak fundamentals, weak chins, weak punching power, and lack of amateur experience. I usually appreciate the information.
Anyway, I think you are very constipated. Magnesium citrate will help, read the instructions carefully.

I guess the consensus is Lennox Lewis, which means that if GGG became a huge star, he would be the first non-heavyweight to do so that we can come up with.

The only European champion to make it big Lloyd Honeyghan.

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Originally Posted by ross

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Originally Posted by powerpuncher

To stardom? Depends what your definition of that is. I can't think of any that have become superstars at the level of mayweather, Pac, de la hoya, rjj etc. There have definitely been Europeans that have reached pretty high levels of stardom here in the US but not superstardom that I can think of. Maybe I'm wrong though.

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What (other) Americans do you have that have reached the level of "superstardom" of Mayweather and De La Hoya?

;D

Jones was never that big. In fact Mayweather wasn't always that big either. His first Pay per view wasn't until Gatti and they needed Gattis name to sell that!

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I agree which is kind of my point. No European has gotten to that level but most fighters haven't either.

Most European fighters are the shits, the best come from North America. That's what's up.

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Originally Posted by ross

What Americans can draw as big a crowd as Calzaghe, Hatton and Froch?

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Even a log of shit will draw flies.

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Originally Posted by Beanflicker

Most European fighters are the shits, the best come from North America. That's what's up.

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Feeling a little constipated, aren't you!

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Originally Posted by beenKOed

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Originally Posted by Beanflicker

Most European fighters are the shits, the best come from North America. That's what's up.

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Feeling a little constipated, aren't you!

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Unlike Europe, which has been churning out tons of shit forever.

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Originally Posted by ross

What Americans can draw as big a crowd as Calzaghe, Hatton and Froch?

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I could give you a list as long as my arm, but that's not what this thread is supposed to be about, right?

Only a few fighters ever achieve star status and by that you could define as having mainstream mass appeal and PPV sales, even Americans. Which European fighters have achieved that over in the states Naz, Hatton and maybe Joe Calzhage. They are few and far between.

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Originally Posted by Master

Which European fighters have achieved that over in the states Naz, Hatton and maybe Joe Calzhage.

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They never had mainstream appeal in the States.

Naz was on the brink but got whipped by MAB and put on 100 pounds.