In These Tough Times; America Needs "Money" Mayweather

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

by - John Harris

Boxing has been a part of American culture since the 1800's, and the sport has survived through many tough times for the nation, and for itself. Controversy is something that will always be a part of the fight game, and the debate that ensues amongst fans after the latest "big fight", is something that in part helps to keep the sport driving forward. Major hype, crooked judges, sleazy promoters, and bias talking heads are all a part of what the sport has grown into and, in a way, has always been.

Through the years, there was always a sense of national pride when it came to American Boxers fighting against foreign fighters. However, in recent years America has not gotten behind it's stars in the sport the same way it used to. It could be in part due to the rise in popularity of Mixed Martial Arts and, more specifically, the UFC. It also could be, because there is no polarizing Heavyweight, akin to the likes of a Mike Tyson in the 80's. It COULD be, and probably is, a number of things.

Personally, I think it's a combination of the above two points, and a little more. The pull that the term "Heavyweight Champion" carries to the water-cooler fans of the sport in America is huge. To the purists of the sport, that is ridiculous, but it's a reality in todays mainstream. A marketable Heavyweight will beat out the next guy everyday, even if his actual talent is sub-par to that of the lower weight classes. If you don't believe me, just ask Dana White how much the UFC loves Brock Lesnar.

Speaking again of the UFC, I think that is another factor in the decline of Boxing in America. Not that I dislike the UFC, or MMA, actually I am huge fan. However, I am not a "typical" fan, which is obvious by the fact that I choose to spend enough time to actually blog about this topic, and others. Mixed Martial Arts is awesome, and I think that in the long run, it is actually going to help Boxing. The two are completely different games sharing the same ball, if you can make sense of that. They can co-exist, and I think that they will, but for now Boxing is taking a hit, and it needs a shot of adrenaline in the American market.

The "little more" I referenced earlier is what I think is some heavy bias in the Boxing media, and the always over-the-top ramblings of water-cooler fans on Internet message boards. Twenty years ago, things were different, obviously. The Internet was not a factor, and America did have more nationalism, both in sports and politics. However, today people are not motivated in the same ways they were back then, and the powerful medium of the Internet has given all of us a voice, including me.

By my observation, things have changed a lot since the inception of Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), and their purchase of The Ring magazine. Many circles of Boxing media still consider The Ring to be factual, and let most of their rankings and reports to go almost completely without question. The fact that GBP has such a control over the interests of the sport is a bit questionable, considering it's primary shareholder and subsequent namesake is Oscar De La Hoya.

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