Quote Originally Posted by miles
Quote Originally Posted by BoxingGorilla
I think the answer is a simple one.  

In the United States you can dislike Floyd Mayweather because you have Jermaine Taylor, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr, James Toney, Winky Wright, Shane Mosley, to be a fan off.  If all our hopes rested on Mayweather we wouldn't say a bad word about him.


In the UK you either like Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton or a one of several lesser known fighters.
I think it is futile to like a fighter just because of his nationality. Other aspects play their part for me. And that is why James Toney and Barrera have been such favourites of mine. I couldnt care less where they are born, that is irrelevant to me. Its got to be about the style or something about the fighter themselves.
I doubt you'd fine an American who likes Calzaghe or Hatton better than one of their own.  Why look overseas for a favorite when you have plenty of homegrowns to choose from?  Same goes for Latino fans.  Why cheer for Hatton when you can root for Cotto.

I think it is natural to lean toward you countrymen.  I don't watch the Olympics and cheer for China.  I don't hate China.

As boxing fans we apprciate boxers from around the world.  They all carry our sport.  Still, when you have a limited list of fighters to stand behind as a nation they seem all the more great.