Are boxing fans the most fickle out there?

[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.

[PRIDE OF BOSTON]

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.

Great post, Spicoli. I agree

[Master]

I am as fickle as Don King, I always root for the winner.

[Mattyhitman]

The narrative of boxing can, most times, undertake such dramatic swings in perspective, that it can be hard to establish where the contrived moral high-ground is.

I understand that contrived is of course, inextricably linked to a 'matter of perspective'... I admit it's a tough one.


However, if i go way past deep :
One of the truest manifestation of free-will is an opinion.
In a Non-existent League Table environment without a universal, consistent and rational entity to exercise control over proceedings, there will always be a seemingly irrational shift opinion as the matter of perspective gets lost pretty quickly.

Just my opinion

Had you just swallowed a theasaurus Jim ? Quality