If the Klitschkos were American, would they get more praise/respect?

[CFH]

Lewis was British though not American.

Canabrit.

I decided any time this arguement comes up, that is how I'll address him. I'll accept Britadian too.

Born and raised for 13 years in London, England

Lets just call him a Londoner.

Not that I actually give a shit.

[CFH]

I think they would be more popular by virtue of the size of the American fanbase, the exposure the would receive, and nationalism. However, I still think they would be held to the same criticisms that they are now (particularly Wlad).

[leftylee]

They'ld still be the cure for insomnia, so no.

[El Kabong]

I don't think it would have much effect on their popularity.

[amat]

People always accuse Americans of being more nationalistic then the other countries, I don't agree with that especially when it comes from the Brits who's TV pundits seem to drink the coolaid on every Of course the Klitschkos would be more popular because we would hear more about him, Vitali would be much more popular then Wlad obviously because of his style but I don't think it would mean to much of a difference. We've had most of the big stars in boxing for yeArs and it hasn't made hardcore fans out of most of the population yet.

[Cortez The Killer]

I don't think it would have much effect on their popularity.

I agree. Boxing is a niche sport in America. Boxing fans in America know who the Klitschko's are, and non-fans dont. Just like boxing fans in American know who Jermain Taylor and Bernard Hopkins are, and non-fans dont.

So even if the Klitschko's were american, only boxing fans would know who they were. Wlad's style would still be respected but criticized. Vitali would still be respected. It wouldn't change anything.

[El Kabong]

The style, attitude, and demeanor of the Klitschko's make them less likely to be massive stars here in the US. We are the country of icons of sport legends: Ali, Tyson, Louis, Jack Johnson, Rocky Marciano....those are the guys with the styles and the substance to capture the entire nation. Wlad and Vitali have too much respect to act in the manor that Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Roy Jones Jr. act, and their fighting styles don't make up for it. Americans have short attention spans and it takes constant action for the non-boxing majority to be intrigued, they need lots of bells and whistles and the Klitschko's just don't have those bells and whistles.

[CGM]

I don't think it would have much effect on their popularity.

yeah, the American angle in this thread is overplayed. After all, I see they get plenty of diss from Brits as well. I hate them too, and I'm Canadian, and we all know that if Canadians started dissing boxers cause they weren't Canadian, then we'd have to turn our backs on the sport entirely.

We could talk about which nation is most likely to play up their boxers beyond their ability. That'd be fun.

[Andre]

Canabrit.

I decided any time this arguement comes up, that is how I'll address him. I'll accept Britadian too.

Born and raised for 13 years in London, England

Lets just call him a Londoner.

Not that I actually give a shit.

And to use a Sinfield quote ...."not that theres anything wrong with it"

[Andre]

And so the question arises:
If the Klits where British with the names Thomas and Nigel would American embrace them even more than they do now?































Umm that would be, a, NO .

[Youngblood]

We got side-tracked huh.

There is enough Lewis praise to go around. Brits raised him to puberty. Thanks, ol chaps! Canadians taught him to box and prepared him for that world. Merci! And the Jamaicans claim. Let us not forget the Jamaicans. Those awesome hairstyles. Tanks maan!

[Fenster]

Canabrit.

I decided any time this arguement comes up, that is how I'll address him. I'll accept Britadian too.

Born and raised for 13 years in London, England

Lets just call him a Londoner.

Not that I actually give a shit.

“My mum took me to Canada when I was 12, but I am British in my heart." Lennox Lewis

[generalbulldog]

My take being if they were Americans they be respected more and there wouldn't be talk of this is a weak HW era. Take Holmes and Tyson for example, they dominated the 80s. Was the 80s a great HW era? Tyrell Biggs, Michael Spinks, Tony Tucker, Trevor Berbick, Gerry Cooney, Tony Tubbs, does that sound like a good era for HWs? But yet almost everyone has said that those 2 were great HW champions and belong in a top 5 list.

And also someone also pointed out race. Race and ultra-nationalism plays a big part in the US. If the Klitschkos brothers were White Americans they would be praised to death. The US media would lap it up. They would be made into the boxing version of Brett Favre.

[CGM]

Canabrit.

I decided any time this arguement comes up, that is how I'll address him. I'll accept Britadian too.

Born and raised for 13 years in London, England

Lets just call him a Londoner.

Not that I actually give a shit.

agreed. who gives a shit He has roots in England, he has roots in Canada. He was born in England. If he wants to impress the Brits, then hell yeah he'll say that's where his heart is. I always supported him cause of his Canadian roots, That gold medal was awesome, as far as I'm concerned he was on our team then.

[El Kabong]

....I thought Lennox was Jamaican


Ja'makin me crazy Lennox!