Nationalism, I'm all for it.

**Weebels** · 05-21-2006 05:35 AM

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.

**Mr. Nightmare** · 05-21-2006 05:39 AM

True, it gets a RISE out of people. But in some ways, if you only root for a guy cuz he's from your country, isnt that prejudiced? I'm black american, yet my favorite fighter is Erik Morales. When Tito fought Hopkins, I, like the 17,000 Puerto Ricans in MSG that night, cheered Tito all the way to the end.

Nationalism is good to a point. When it turns into prejudice, then its a problem.

**Weebels** · 05-21-2006 05:45 AM

Good point, but I think that very often it allows people to forget their own problems with one another and gives them something to agree on. Hatten for example.

**Mr. Nightmare** · 05-21-2006 05:58 AM

Yeah, but people get so caught up in what they're saying simply because their fighter is from their hometown that they let it jade their perception of real life. And thats the problem with prejudice. Who cares where a fighter's from? Why not just root for the guy you like more?

I live in New York. Does that mean I have to only root for the Yankees or the Mets?

**Weebels** · 05-21-2006 07:06 AM

Not necessarily, if u lived in Cal. would u rut for the Yankees. Probably not, but may be. Some people call it rutting for the home team. In highschool did u cheer for the school from the other side of town or the school that u went to? I live in Florida, do I rut for the Jets? No f-ing way. But I don't resent anyone who does. It's part of being a fan. And if someone is going to be bigoted about you or anyone else, there is allot more to it than boxing.

**bigragu** · 05-21-2006 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

It's just having pride in your home....wherever that is...nothing wrong with that...I am a die hard Buckeye fan and my ex-wife was a wolverine fan...wait she's my ex for a reason...to hell with michsh*Tigan...and any of their friggin fans...

take that michsh*tigan!!!! what was this post about?!?!

**maracho** · 05-21-2006 10:23 AM

Or in the latest case the Americans were mostly rooting for Ricky until they realised how much the ref. was helping him. Americans boxing fans love Ricky because he is tough hard working. I think most Americans also want him to win because he is white just as they like to see black and Latin hocky players, tennis players and rodeo bull riders win. Most Americans love to see old fighters like Hopkins and Forman kick all the young guys butts too--Americans love underdogs.

In my opinion most American "fans" could care less what country a fighter is from unless the fighter is coming from their home city or something. Most other countries are much more biased.

I will say though that I have seen a big rise in unfair desicions against forriegn fighters via American Judges and refs but these kinds of people definately do not represent the average American boxing fan.

**CrunchTime** · 05-21-2006 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Nightmare

True, it gets a RISE out of people. But in some ways, if you only root for a guy cuz he's from your country, isnt that prejudiced? I'm black american, yet my favorite fighter is Erik Morales. When Tito fought Hopkins, I, like the 17,000 Puerto Ricans in MSG that night, cheered Tito all the way to the end.

Nationalism is good to a point. When it turns into prejudice, then its a problem.

Absolutely, but I dont think it is that fine of a line...nationalism is rooting FOR someone and prejudice is more often rooting AGAINST someone!! And I can definitely relate to folks who like fighters from a different background than they are...as a white American my favs are Mayweather, Taylor, Oscar and Corrales!! One of my MexicanAmerican friends recently gave me a pleasant surprise by rooting for Pacman over Morales---even tho I was pulling for Erik...it is a VERY HEALTHY thing to pull for people who are different than you are in whatever endeavor that may be!!

**CrunchTime** · 05-21-2006 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by maracho

Or in the latest case the Americans were mostly rooting for Ricky until they realised how much the ref. was helping him. Americans boxing fans love Ricky because he is tough hard working. I think most Americans also want him to win because he is white just as they like to see black and Latin hocky players, tennis players and rodeo bull riders win. Most Americans love to see old fighters like Hopkins and Forman kick all the young guys butts too--Americans love underdogs.

In my opinion most American "fans" could care less what country a fighter is from unless the fighter is coming from their home city or something. Most other countries are much more biased.

I will say though that I have seen a big rise in unfair desicions against forriegn fighters via American Judges and refs but these kinds of people definately do not represent the average American boxing fan.

You just brought out my NATIONALISTIC side

...seeing as how I think most other countries have more unfair decisions than U.S. does against foreign fighters...especially in Thailand and Germany!!

**maracho** · 05-21-2006 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by CrunchTime

Originally Posted by maracho

Or in the latest case the Americans were mostly rooting for Ricky until they realised how much the ref. was helping him. Americans boxing fans love Ricky because he is tough hard working. I think most Americans also want him to win because he is white just as they like to see black and Latin hocky players, tennis players and rodeo bull riders win. Most Americans love to see old fighters like Hopkins and Forman kick all the young guys butts too--Americans love underdogs.

In my opinion most American "fans" could care less what country a fighter is from unless the fighter is coming from their home city or something. Most other countries are much more biased.

I will say though that I have seen a big rise in unfair desicions against forriegn fighters via American Judges and refs but these kinds of people definately do not represent the average American boxing fan.

You just brought out my NATIONALISTIC side

...seeing as how I think most other countries have more unfair decisions than U.S. does against foreign fighters...especially in Thailand and Germany!!

Yea the U.S. is definately far from the worst in that respect.

**sanj16** · 05-21-2006 03:27 PM

Its fine rooting for your hometown/fellow country man, but as a true boxing fan you should recognise ability and the outcome of a fight. Just because you support a fighter, doesn't mean that you have to blinker off every view and defend them despite everything. i.e. you can support Kosta and still accept that he got his ass handed to him

**Gandalf** · 05-21-2006 03:39 PM

personally speaking, i just dont believe in nationalism...

i like a fighter and thats it, nationality is an irrelevancy for me....

**Weebels** · 05-21-2006 06:03 PM

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 shit 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.

**Gandalf** · 05-21-2006 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by 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?