Nationalism, I'm all for it.

[Gandalf]

nationlism is a good thing imo
but sometimes it goes too far, and really gets out of hand

nationalism is pure bullshit.....read 1984 or study some politics....

nationalism is nothing cool....

[Weebels]

I think must often I root for the boxer I think I have something in common with. Which I pretty easy since I'm English, Irish, Scottish, Italian, and a little German. Nationality is the hook that gets fans involved sometimes, especially when you know nothing about them. And I will continue to do something that I find disrespectful, or insulting. Look I used to be a Carl Fogerty (world superbike) fan, until he started stalking S*** about the American racers, and fans. My son and I always pick a fighter before the fight starts, and if we don't know the fighters we pick one anyway. Who knows might end up being a fan.

is that really about nationalism?

In a way. Nationality is one of the reasons I initially pick a fighter to root for. I always root for the American in a fight unless he an asshole. But I'm open minded enough to realize when my boy gets his butt kicked.

[Gandalf]

I think must often I root for the boxer I think I have something in common with. Which I pretty easy since I'm English, Irish, Scottish, Italian, and a little German. Nationality is the hook that gets fans involved sometimes, especially when you know nothing about them. And I will continue to do something that I find disrespectful, or insulting. Look I used to be a Carl Fogerty (world superbike) fan, until he started stalking S*** about the American racers, and fans. My son and I always pick a fighter before the fight starts, and if we don't know the fighters we pick one anyway. Who knows might end up being a fan.

is that really about nationalism?

In a way. Nationality is one of the reasons I initially pick a fighter to root for. I always root for the American in a fight unless he an asshole. But I'm open minded enough to realize when my boy gets his butt kicked.

that is your opinion......but that is okay

[Weebels]

na·tion·al·ism
Devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation.
The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals.
Aspirations for national independence in a country under foreign domination.

Yea, all for it.

[TitoFan]

There are some very traditional nationalistic rivalries. Puerto Ricans vs. Mexicans...... U.S. vs. British. Nothing wrong with that. And anyone who doesn't realize these rivalries exist, is a little out of touch with boxing.

Having said that, I'll admit to being VERY nationalistic. But I also look at fighters' individual merits. Style, class, skill, exciting to watch, quality of opposition. Those are all factors I look at when choosing favorite fighters.

[raleights]

This was a topic that has been brought up be for, but I think that the Nationalism displayed here is a good thing. There are people that rut for a fighter just because he's from their home country. I have several Russian friends that are very proud of V. Klichko (or however it's spelled), and they don't even watch boxing, unless he's fighting.
Of late it's been the Americans vs. The Brits. Some people take themselves too seriously, but I think they will get over it. And it is probably the easyest way to get a rise out of people. Watch.

I think it's a blue collar thing to do, rooting for someone without having a 'valid' reason. It's the equivalent of the KKK putting all that energy into hating blacks but not even understand why. To me it shows a certain illiteracy and well, stupid people shouldn't be able to breath all that air (taking oxygen away from the rest of us)

[El Kabong]

All I have to say is think about what would never happen if everyone felt inferior! Nationalism is a good thing

[Violent Bob]

All I have to say is think about what would never happen if everyone felt inferior! Nationalism is a good thing

Err, sure mate. Like if the National Socialists (aka Nazis) had felt "inferior" rather than superior, then "what would never happen" would be . . . WWII and the Holocaust. So yeah, mate, nationalism is a good thing.

[El Kabong]

All I have to say is think about what would never happen if everyone felt inferior! Nationalism is a good thing

Err, sure mate. Like if the National Socialists (aka Nazis) had felt "inferior" rather than superior, then "what would never happen" would be . . . WWII and the Holocaust. So yeah, mate, nationalism is a good thing.

To an EXTENT...I mean everything is bad in excess...EVERYTHING

[Weebels]

All I have to say is think about what would never happen if everyone felt inferior! Nationalism is a good thing

Err, sure mate. Like if the National Socialists (aka Nazis) had felt "inferior" rather than superior, then "what would never happen" would be . . . WWII and the Holocaust. So yeah, mate, nationalism is a good thing.

Or maybe, oh I don't know, the Revolutionary War, (thats the one the Brits gave away because it was too far to sail) :P
or perhap the Brits during WWII at the height of the bombing of London. I think that people that can't tell the difference between bigotry and Nationalism, need to quit looking at them selves and look around them and realize that it isn't all about you.
Nationalism is often brought out in things like the Olympics, when you hear the National Anthem, (the song that represents the people in a particular geographic area.) and the extra pride you feel for that person who not only represents them selves, but your country.

[Weebels]

This was a topic that has been brought up be for, but I think that the Nationalism displayed here is a good thing. There are people that rut for a fighter just because he's from their home country. I have several Russian friends that are very proud of V. Klichko (or however it's spelled), and they don't even watch boxing, unless he's fighting.
Of late it's been the Americans vs. The Brits. Some people take themselves too seriously, but I think they will get over it. And it is probably the easyest way to get a rise out of people. Watch.

I think it's a blue collar thing to do, rooting for someone without having a 'valid' reason. It's the equivalent of the KKK putting all that energy into hating blacks but not even understand why. To me it shows a certain illiteracy and well, stupid people shouldn't be able to breath all that air (taking oxygen away from the rest of us)

Gees, the way u put it it sounds bad. The way you found the correlation between picking a boxer and an irrational dislike for someone because of the collar of their skin. "Kind of a stretch". And you of course do your home work, you know the white collar way. Get some background on each fighter you don't know. Maybe call their family and friends to see what he / she is really like. Do a background check. And if they don't share your high moral fortitude, they should die.
Well that is the beauty of a free society, you can believe whatever you want no matter how stupid it is.

[amat]

I'm not really nationalistic when it comes to boxing because the Americans make up a lot of the boxing landscape so liking a lot of them would be liking a lot of rivals. I couldn't imagine liking Tarver But I think it's great for the smaller countries.

[amat]

nationalism is pure bullshit.....read 1984 or study some politics....

nationalism is nothing cool....

That's an awesome book but I think this is a much more simplistic form of nationalism so I really don't mid it. It's really harmless imo.


Though I would be all for 3 minutes of hate if Tarver or Calzaghe was Goldstein

[Gandalf]

nationalism is pure bullshit.....read 1984 or study some politics....

nationalism is nothing cool....

That's an awesome book but I think this is a much more simplistic form of nationalism so I really don't mid it. It's really harmless imo.


Though I would be all for 3 minutes of hate if Tarver or Calzaghe was Goldstein

yeah, i think i had sipped a little too much of my "juice" when i typed that

nationalism can be a harmless thing...after all who will i be supporting in the world cup? of course it will be england....

when it becomes overtly political thats when it gets to me....

out here in korea they are very nationalistic. flags adorn every classroom. when i first came here it was a little intimidating. they have a long history of repression so their nationalism is more an expression of being liberated.....

[moonlight19]

I can get behind a little nationalism easier than I can get behind any kind of racial pride. In either case it's a bit silly to take pride in the luck of the draw.

We have absolutely no control over where, when and to whom we are born.

It's a bit easier to justify having some pride in your own accomplishments and values and tangentially to root for someone that exemplifies your core values or attitudes. This is why I see fans getting behind Hatton - it's what drew me to the entire sport in teh first place. I'm American and happen to be white. I find that the type of public persona that Hatton has is what I like to see in my sports figures.

It's why I loved Barry Sanders as well.

Screw nationalism and racism. I like Champions (and it has very little to do with winning)