Are boxing fans the most fickle out there?

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

I tend to think we are...

There are many reasons but I think alot has to do with this-

1)With a football team or a baseball, hockey, rugby, American football or basketball team they're always there... Year in, year out. The players change but the team remains. As far as myself- I'm a New Englander through and through and live in Boston. I grew up with the Celtics, Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox... All teams that I will die loving. Fighters fade.

2) Remember all the Americans thinking Lacy was gonna knock Joe Calzaghe's head off his shoulders a few years ago?(I was one of them) What happened to Lacy? He was exposed and never overcame the beating he took from Joe and maybe just was never that good. But other then JT, whom I commend, I don't know anyone that's still on that band wagon. So my point is, I guess it's a strange sport as once someone gets exposed... You know in your heart of hearts they'll never really be what you envisioned them to be... The next Louis, Dempsy, Ali, Basilio, Robinson, Tyson, Delahoya, Chavez... Whoever. And then they're gone.

thoughts?

[Drago]

Louis, Dempsy, Ali, Basilio, Robinson, Tyson, Delahoya, Chavez all lost at some point in there careers as well tho, b ut i understand wot u saying man. I felt the same way when hatton lost againat mayweaher i kinda lost interest in him

[holmcall]

I thinks so. We tend to like a guy based on his last fight-- or at least I do. If a guy I like gets his ass whipped by another guy, I'm likely to become a fan of that other guy.

[eagle]

I try and stay a fan of a guy no matter what happens. Im still as big an RJJ fan now as i was when he was superman a few years back. I think u gotta just ignore all the negative comments you read about guys once they lose on forums like this.

[Nameless]

PErsonally, win or lose, if I like a boxer, I stick to the very last defeat behind him. The only things that can make me to hate a boxer are cheating or very very bad attitude outside the ring.

[killersheep]

I think a lot of it has to do with the frequency of activity. Can you imagine if your beloved patriots played only once or twice a year? I mean look one fight for a lot of the elite in boxing happens as often as an entire season in other sports.

[Zilla]

I thinks so. We tend to like a guy based on his last fight-- or at least I do. If a guy I like gets his ass whipped by another guy, I'm likely to become a fan of that other guy.

Hey, that's true. I loved James Toney until Roy beat him and Lacey until he got mangled by Calzaghe.

Personally, I think it has to do with how often they fight. They only fight 4 times a year at most for most fighters whereas with a professional sports team they play at least 16 times in a season. You get to see them more often and they're able to 'recover' after a loss in a few days, if not the very next day. Unless you're a Lions fan.

[Onix]

Good topic.

Another intersting thing about being a boxing fan is You might love both fighters in a fight - And I mean truly love both fighters. In most sports at the pinnacle moment of the season Superbowl, World Series, etc. Most of the time you love one team and thats your team and F the other team for even showing up. In boxing we start loving many fighters who eventually fight each other. What happens after that is you watch a fight that feels like you are watching your two brothers fighting each other...it hurts to see one lose.

[Spicoli]

For the most part I think most understand and except the along for the entire ride mindset.Thats what makes it so much better than a team sport.On a team there is always a fall-guy...one to point to when things take a nosedive southbound.Where as in boxing sure you see the majority of fault pointed at glaucoma suffering judges or referees afflicted with shit on the brain....but inevitably its the soley the fighter who reaps the rewards and suffers the consequences on a glaring stage for all to see.It an immensely individual and emphasized manner for ones 'bad days' to be revealed.

I stick with my favs with rare exception.Following boxing is a tribal mind set,very emotional and immediate experience.The level of investment as fans can frankly only be truly understood by fellow fans.The highs and lows etc.At times you 'feel' a defeat...it effects everything you do in the real world.Shit I used to plan entire weekends around maybe one fight,a favorite guy fighting.Change work hours,cancel plans,lose girlfriends but at the end of the day I was all about 'living' that fight.Of course Ocd may play a role but for example....when Holyfield was Flattened by Bowe,I stopped watching boxing.Had zero interest...could care less as the one at the top of the mount for me was no more.Where was the motivation,inspiration etc? The thing of it is though...he still fights.Now as a fan I wont bash him but find myself dismissive,almost wanting him to be defeated soundly.Living on glory of the past days.He and I alike over his career.Odd really.It sometimes revolves around one or two fighters for some...which should change over time,you branch out and start appreciating different styles,stories and the bigger picture of the sport.When you live to see just one guy do well you ultimately are setting yourself up for a let down.Boxing is a metaphor for life...no doubt about it.One day your standing on top of the pile,and the next the pile is coming down atop you.But you have to get through...push on.