Quote Originally Posted by killersheep View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Lyle View Post
Now the Americans don't HAVE to run any division, we just need some new blood in the division....we're still waiting for the heir to the Tyson-Holyfield-Bowe throne but even the average guys like Tommy Morrison (a fan favorite) were great for the sport #1 Because he could punch #2 He had dramatic fights #3 Well being white AND in Rocky V helped out a bit, but guys didn't have to be white, Ray Mercer was enjoyed for a while. I wish he had gotten more chances before getting old.

Mercer vs: Tyson, McCall, Golota, Tua would have been great.

But guys like Mercer and Morrison who were from our amateur boxing system who could box AND who could punch just simply aren't there anymore: Devin Vargas and Jason Estrada just ain't cutting it
I think that with some quality training Deontay Wilder could develop into a great American heavyweight. He has phenomenal athleticism and is a great guy to boot. The irony of it (giving further creedence to your statement) is that he had the least amatuer training of the whole US Olympic squad. I think that someone be it Arreola or Kevin Johnson or whomever it may be, has to INSPIRE the next generation to want to become boxers.
im slightly swayed towards the fact this could be an economical problem above anything else.

Wheres the incentive for these young guys to stick to the most brutal and harshest sport around when they could be earning millions to run into people or throw balls into baskets?

The dedication and willingness to become a top level boxer exceeds every other sport because you need to be finessed in every single attribute and be able to tick all the boxes.

Academys need setting up to nurture these young guys not just in terms of ability but financially so they can afford to spend 3/4 evenings a week hitting a punch bag or sparring rather than at a national football trial or college basketball event.

Theres a clear reason why america no longer dominates the heavyweight scene and it needs to be addressed not just for the sake of heavyweight boxing but the entire sport itself as without the biggest division boxing can no longer reach the highs of the 70s and 80s!!