4 Boxers That We Need on Twitter

Boxing is not exactly a sport that embraces change, but many top fighters have embraced the technological advances of the 21st century.  One of these evolutions has been Twitter.

At its core, Twitter is great for boxers because it allows them to stay in touch with their fans and help build up hype for fights.  It is a new wave of media that very well might be replaced within the decade, but for now it is at the forefront.

The more outspoken the boxer, the more followers he will have.  This isn't always the case as with fighters like Shane Mosley or Manny Pacquiao, but their fame makes that point moot.

Most fighters who would benefit from Twitter are already on it.  However, there are some who still haven't, and with that in mind, there are four boxers who might not only benefit from it, but would amuse fans as well.

Wladimir Klitschko

"Dr. Steelhammer" might not be the most exciting fighter in the ring, nor the most talkative one outside of it, but it would still be interesting to see him use Twitter.

In the information age, so many people use the web to diagnose themselves or try to come up with ways to get themselves healthier.  Klitschko has a PhD in sports science, and it would be interesting to see if fans would start badgering him for medical advice or workout ideas.

Klitschko could even turn it into a weekly deal where he answers questions from his Twitter and gives fans his advice on how to pursue boxing exercises or how to get healthy in general.  

It probably wouldn't lead to him trending worldwide, but it would be a decent use of an otherwise selfish media tool and would help make Klitschko a little more popular.

Roy Jones Jr.

This list will only include active fighters and, sadly, Jones is still one of them.  He has overstayed his welcome in the ring and is now a shell of himself.

It does make him usable for this list, though, and the truth is that the once great boxer is a great talker.  He just knows how to hype a fight, but he also knows how to make people laugh.

It is why, at one time, HBO gave him a job as an analyst.  He can just turn on the charm and win people over.  Though Twitter severely limits how much a person can say, it's easy imagining Jones coming up with witty one-liners to get fans laughing.

Plus, it just might give something Roy to do other then step into the ring.

And, at this point, that is something that all boxing fans can appreciate.

Vic Darchinyan

The mini Armenian "raging bull" is quite the character. Though he isn't the boxing superstar he might have been if he had beaten Nonito Donaire a few years ago, he is still interesting.

It isn't just the fact that he is cocky or that he is a little off, but that he backs it up.  Darchinyan is just fun to watch whenever he steps into the ring.  The fact that he can build up fights and then put on a good showing is what makes Darchinyan worth watching.

He may be a little crazy, but any man that gets punched in the face for a living and continues to push forward while it's happening has to be.  Especially if after he loses the occasional fight, he still keeps his smug attitude.

If nothing else, boxing needs a few more charismatic crazy men like him.  

Especially putting their thoughts out on the Internet.

James Toney

Toney is another active fighter who shouldn't be.  He is out of shape, past his prime and the only thing that moves quickly anymore is his tongue.

With that said, he is also a man who was able to talk himself into the co-main event of UFC 118 and secure himself a large payday.  He was able to literally chase Dana White down and hound him until he got a shot at a top MMA fighter.

Imagine what a person like Toney could do with Twitter.  He would be able to at least get one more bout with a heavyweight champion.  He wouldn't have earned it, but with a mouth like Toney's, he might be able to get around that.

He also might be able to use Twitter to get himself a job outside the ring.  It might have to continue to be in a way that uses the written word though.

As most fans of Toney know, he has quite the slur, and it means that, if he gets a job that involves commentary or speaking, he might need to get subtitles.