Fighting abroad (in the other guy's backyard)

[Master]

Brian Mitchell was a super Featherweight champion who had to travel to defend his world title because he was from South Africa.

Joe Calzaghe mainly stayed at home until late in his career.

Carl Froch did not worry about home advantage whereas Ward did.

James Degale has not been a hometown fighter.

[TitoFan]

Sure, many fighters, especially if they've reached a certain level of greatness, want to go where the money and the exposure is. Traditionally, that had always been Vegas or New York. Now some other countries are providing that money and exposure. But it's still impressive to me when you have those fighters who don't have to amass a 40-0 record without ever leaving the house.

[Drago]

Lennox lewis fought in the enemies backyard many many times.

[Drago]

Lennox lewis fought in the enemies backyard many many times.

In fact he fought in USA litterally 50% of his fights (22 USA, then UK 17, other 5.

[TitoFan]

Lennox lewis fought in the enemies backyard many many times.

In fact he fought in USA litterally 50% of his fights (22 USA, then UK 17, other 5.

His 2nd pro fight was in Atlantic City, then after 15 or so fights fought mostly in the States. Clearly he wasn't fattened on exclusively local meat. (The local meat wasn't tainted, either).

[Memphis]

Back in the day it seemed like every other week a British middleweight was getting the piss beaten out of them by Sergio Martinez or Winky Wright. Slightly different scenarios I think, Martinez was just looking for work, Wright was defending a title, probably for the best money he could get against a few blokes who fancied themselves as World beaters. They weren't.

[Fenster]

Really it just depends how strong economically the boxing is where you come from. For instance - Roy, Floyd, Oscar, Mosley, Ward and the majority of great modern Americans spend entire careers with home advantage, never experience hostile territory, unfamiliar daily routine, home influenced judges, language barriers, problems with accommodation, unfamiliar rules of the commission, media and promotional commitments, food, etc.

Quite simply they never leave home because they don't have to, which is the same for the great fighters from Japan, UK and Germany, they earn fortunes so need a serious incentive to travel.

Just recently Ryota Murata, the WBA middleweight champion, got 17 million TV viewers for his latest defence. Juergen Braehmer, former lightheavy champ, along with several other German champs, regularly clock around 10 million eyeballs. And obviously they are fighting in packed venues, boxing is big business in these places.

Golovkin fought in 8 or 9 countries on his way up the ladder, moved his entire family to three different countries with completely different cultures and languages, it's something I think many fans overlook, just how big an achievement it is for fighters that literally have to travel the world to make it.

[Dia bando]

America is know longer the king pin in boxing fighters travel around the world challenging or defending titles.
Money is king and fighting is a business it seems strange people don't see the facts.
Fighters travel they take their chance win loose or draw or robbed but they get paid.
Lads bad dicisuions happen here it's part and parcel of boxing not good I no but what can you do.!

[Spicoli]

Tons of different variables with fighting abroad and there are times when a guy can cocoon into a local market and familiarity. Guys run up numbers in a comfort zone regardless of locale, in Mexico how many turned pro in mid teens. The glossy home brew numbers of Campas are what got him to the dance and let him co main Whitaker and Holyfield cards within 8 months. Be it a State or Country a solid fan base while holding gold and right promotion means you dictate some terms. If you can import co champs and contenders it's a no brainer. With Gushiken it's hard to find fault when you're basically the inaugural Lt fly champion in a division no one respected, knew and the major boxing rags and networks at the time didn't even list or recognize. Consequently it's the fans loss. From what I see in Japan gyms can be directly tied to high end media contracts and promotion and an equally rabid fanbase. Really nothing better than some obscure fighter coming into a champs ring and upsetting the program.