Quote Originally Posted by Steelie
Quote Originally Posted by killersheep
Quote Originally Posted by Steelie
Point well-taken, however I don't believe that MAB would have had the opportunities if he would only fight in London, nor if he was to stay in Mexico City, he got the big name fights by leaving his country and workin his way up in Vegas. The thing about Vegas is that is where the largest international viewership fights come from and the biggest opportunities.
Yep, I conceed all that. I'm just trying to illustrate that in the hypothetical world where 's he's been allowed the same opportunities, fought the same fights etc, that if he'd have fought them outside of the US they wouldn't of made him less of a fighter. It would, however, have made him less respected by US based fight fans.




Interestingly, no one ever disses the US based fighters for not leaving the US...even us Brits...
That's because the biggest fights internationally happen in Vegas, love it or hate it that's how it is.
It is doubtful that PBF, Mosley, Tarver or others could make the kind of money they do fighting anywhere but Vegas.
Winky has fought in London and South Africa. For what it's worth I have great respect for all the UK Islanders on
this board.
Again, I agree Vegas is Boxings Mecca. I'd want to fight there too. However, the Manchester crowds have proved that the Brits will turn out at 2am to accomodate the US TV networks so the US based guys could actually make more money over here. They generally get 'compensated' for making the trip, they wouldn't have to sacrifice the all important TV revenue and they'd be fighting in front of a bigger crowd.

Winky had to fight outside of the US, he really is the exception to the rule. He's one for the purists and has always struggled to draw a crowd of his own. He basically fought wherever he was getting paid.

Actually, lets flip it on it's head...does Winky fighting outside the US make any difference to your opinion of him??
Yes I respect any fighter that will travel more, and can prove themselves in different circumstances, Think of how fights are reffed and judged differently in England, Thailand, Germany, Japan and the US. That is one of the main reasons that Glenn Johnson is one of my favorite fighters,
because he HAS travelled the world. CC I am enjoying this debate. And to flip one more time, does a fighter only fighting in England change your opinion of them?