I do want to go back to the statement you made about there being a lack of great American heavyweights. As someone who is far more interested in boxing than I am, do you think that will change?
I honestly don't, not unless something really changes. Boxing used to be a way for large men to earn a living in sports.
Nowadays, honestly, if you're in that great shape, and that large (heavyweight) you're probably going to focus your athleticism towards one of the major leagues - and this starts at a young age.
Guys like Mayweather and Pacquiao are too small to play any of those sports, but they're incredibly fast... I think the welterweights will continue to thrive, and there's some good boxing to be seen. But the heavyweights won't be coming back until the sport is reformed, and boxers can make a better living on average in a more league-oriented sport that's less dominated by promoters and the networks.
As an outsider, I see the the pounding football has taken, and it seems as though boxing has gotten it far worse. You NEVER hear about up and coming boxers. It seems Americans have completely shifted away from the sport, in terms of developing talent.
This is entirely right..
And the few that could be great boxers opt instead for the UFC or MMA.
I think UFC is trash to be honest. I thought it's early years were great, but the way it's managed, the rules they use, ugh god... I also think the skill-set to be a boxer is a lot higher than UFC (not MMA, but UFC), and I come from a wrestling/judo background and I mean that wholeheartedly.
Classic UFC was greatness... but I knew it wouldn't last.
I will never care about any of those three, so you tell me. Am I right?
I think you're pretty much right on the money actually...