Quote Originally Posted by sanj16
I think that as boxing has changed, so have the fans. For the few fighters that still represent the older generation, the fans still show the same love. Look at Hatton and Gatti. These are fighters who get the money, but seem to earn it, they like boxing. As a boxing fan, supporting a great talented fighter, it is difficult to really back them when you see them getting involved in politics and opponent picking because they are scared or because of the cash.
If a fighter with the talent of PBF was to come out and make all the fights that the fans want to see, then he would be a legend. He can do it. Even if it ment that he took a paycut, and didn't affiliate himself with anyone TV network, and stated to the boxing world that his priority was to prove himself as the greatest, then he would have the love of ALL fans. People wouldn't care if he lost, and the irony is that he would make way more money that he does now. Case in point, Gatti! Limited ability, yet still gets the love, fights and cash.
Also guys like Don King really kill boxing. It is hard to support any fighter in the King stable because you NEVER know the full story.
Points such as this and also the times? In the early 1900's you had the great depression, in the 60's you had revolts, nam, etc. It was a time of sticking to your guns and supporting what and who you believed in.

Today this just isn't the case. Sure we have the terrorism, but boxing and politics are so separate except for the fact that politics of another kind are laced throughout boxing.

There just isn't much going on that makes people latch onto a fighter emotionally. It's all about boxing now. Where as with Ali, sure he is a magnificent boxer... but people loved him for other reasons as well, perhaps more so for other reasons. An example... I have an evolutionary psychology/biology professor, and one of her idols is none other than Muhammad Ali.