Seth Mitchell vs. Johnathan Banks

[El Kabong]

The question of whether Americans would warm to a European dominant heavyweight who fought like Mike Tyson is tough. Mayweather is no ferocious terror in the ring. If it is a styles thing, they haven't warmed to Sergio Martinez and there wasn't a clamoring to see Dmitry Pirog here after he outslicked Danny Jacobs. Therefore, it might be cultural. I'm not sure. There's no easy answer.

They can't relate to them man, I'm telling you. It doesn't matter if it's a slick fighter or a pressure fighter or a power puncher they can't relate to someone not American or at least Americanized. Arturo Gatti born in Italy, grew up in Canada, he related with the Americans pretty damn well. Other than immigrants who got their boxing start in the US, I don't think there's any ability to relate...maybe Pacquiao is the best example of a fighter who can hit it big in the US and relate.

[Rantcatrat]

The question of whether Americans would warm to a European dominant heavyweight who fought like Mike Tyson is tough. Mayweather is no ferocious terror in the ring. If it is a styles thing, they haven't warmed to Sergio Martinez and there wasn't a clamoring to see Dmitry Pirog here after he outslicked Danny Jacobs. Therefore, it might be cultural. I'm not sure. There's no easy answer.

They can't relate to them man, I'm telling you. It doesn't matter if it's a slick fighter or a pressure fighter or a power puncher they can't relate to someone not American or at least Americanized. Arturo Gatti born in Italy, grew up in Canada, he related with the Americans pretty damn well. Other than immigrants who got their boxing start in the US, I don't think there's any ability to relate...maybe Pacquiao is the best example of a fighter who can hit it big in the US and relate.

Pacquiao might be the best, and only really on point, example. Gatti is another example, but didn't he live in NJ for a period of time? American-Polish fans have definitely stood behind Adamek, but then again, he lives in NJ and is Polish. It's not like Adamek is followed by American fans in Tennessee. I can't think of any other recent non-American fighters that have garnered a strong following in the United States.

[El Kabong]

Pacquiao might be the best, and only really on point, example. Gatti is another example, but didn't he live in NJ for a period of time? American-Polish fans have definitely stood behind Adamek, but then again, he lives in NJ and is Polish. It's not like Adamek is followed by American fans in Tennessee. I can't think of any other recent non-American fighters that have garnered a strong following in the United States.

Gatti fought his best fights in Atlantic City, he may as well have lived there I bet he never had to buy a drink there.

I can't think of any huge superstars from other countries that got huge receptions in the states but not by people of the same race or ethnicity. Mexican fighters and Puerto Rican fighters get big crowds on ocassion.