Do you make an effort to create *new* boxing fans...?

[Slim the BoxingManiac]

I've tried. People are so fucking stupid, though.

Maybe someday I'll come across some dudes who are intelligent enough to display interest in something other than themselves.

[killersheep]

I've basically given up on the notion that I can get new people into the sport. I've done the PPV hosting thing, paid for it all myself provided food and alcohol. I have a few friends that enjoy the fights, but I haven't experienced someone who never was into boxing suddenly enjoying it. For the most part, my boxing parties end up with most people in the kitchen just having a good time.

[Slim the BoxingManiac]

To be honest, they need to be taught the basic skills and how the game works before they even begin to understand it at all.

[elcolibri]

To be honest, they need to be taught the basic skills and how the game works before they even begin to understand it at all.

That's a good point.

If anyone shows the slightest interest I've tried to encourage it. Sometimes I try and explain how the sport has been around so very long, and talk about historical olympic games. Sometimes I try and explain that there is more to it than it might seem. The response I never know what to do with is when someone dismisses it in a clearly judgmental way as just way too violent. (Any sport is violent! It's just more hidden in most other sports.)

[Manos de Piedra]

I agree with you guys above. You can't get someone into boxing you can introduce them to the sport, if someone is interested they'll become a fan themselves.

[Althugz]

I agree with you guys above. You can't get someone into boxing you can introduce them to the sport, if someone is interested they'll become a fan themselves.

Exactly this. Having been on both sides of the fence I can say this is true.

I hated boxing and remember how offended I used to get when a couple of my friends would stay in on fight night instead of coming out on the pull at some lame club.."You'd rather stay home and watch 2 half naked men fight??", was the dumb response I gave them..(ahh to be young and dumb!)

I was introduced to the sport by a guy called Marshall (trainer at Angel amateur boxing club) when I was a Personal Trainer at Virgin Active. His passion for the sport was so infectious..he did pads with me which I loved and then I just researched to high heaven about boxing.

I'd say within a month or two I was more knowledgable than the two friends who were supposed to be hardcore fans. I was telling them about fighters they had never even heard of.

So I can tell you from experience. I hated boxing until the age of 22 - from then on I've been in love with it. The change can happen!

[elcolibri]

I agree with you guys above. You can't get someone into boxing you can introduce them to the sport, if someone is interested they'll become a fan themselves.

Exactly this. Having been on both sides of the fence I can say this is true.

I hated boxing and remember how offended I used to get when a couple of my friends would stay in on fight night instead of coming out on the pull at some lame club.."You'd rather stay home and watch 2 half naked men fight??", was the dumb response I gave them..(ahh to be young and dumb!)

I was introduced to the sport by a guy called Marshall (trainer at Angel amateur boxing club) when I was a Personal Trainer at Virgin Active. His passion for the sport was so infectious..he did pads with me which I loved and then I just researched to high heaven about boxing.

I'd say within a month or two I was more knowledgable than the two friends who were supposed to be hardcore fans. I was telling them about fighters they had never even heard of.

So I can tell you from experience. I hated boxing until the age of 22 - from then on I've been in love with it. The change can happen!

A bit of an open mind is necessary to get into the sport. I'd like to see more guys open to change like that.