What type of boxing fan are you?

Seer · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 11681 Location: Alba

What type of boxing fan are you?
By TheRealSeer

I've been a boxing fan for many years. I used to box and with the invention of the internet and websites like this one, I am now, more able than ever, to discuss my views and opinions on the sport of boxing with like-minded, intelligent boxing fans. I've spent 6yrs going through threads and posts, agreeing and disagreeing, teaching and being taught, and satisfying my hunger to read and talk about the sport I enjoy most.

With this said, I have decided to focus my thoughts on the boxing fans I am in day-to-day contact with, and not the fighters, managers, promoters, or governing/sanctioning bodies I am not.

There are many different types of boxing fan, and I will 'for what it's worth', attempt to put them into categories, simply because as much as I enjoy the sport, I also enjoy the views and opinions of others. They add depth to the sport that otherwise might not be there.
I do realise most could fit their profile into one or more catagories, but hey, thats ok too...

In no particular order:

The patriotic fan

A fan that believes in fighters from their way, defends, and shares in the glory of any fighter from their country or area... They can be slightly biased at times, and are also open to 'heart break' so-to-speak when a loss occurs, because of the passion and connection they share with like minded fans and the fighters themselves...

The sport of boxing fan

They are a fan of the sport... They have their favourites and they have their dislikes. They crave the fight it'self. They are happy watching 'French nobody vs light punching Armenian' on Eurosport, not because who they are watching, but simply because they love watching simple movement and flowing motion that comes with any fight or fighter. The ducking of a fighter on the ropes, the stance, the movement back and forward, the combinations, the hand movement, all being part of the 'motion' inside the ring, and it's this they crave to see. From the lowest 1st starters, to the Las Vegas title fights. It's all in the movement...

The 'fighter' fan

This has become most clear to myself through Roy Jones Junior in recent years... Fans that simply support one fighter... They are not terribly interested in other fights unless they affect their fighter in anyway. They will discredit any fighter that may pose some sort of threat or risk to their fighter, and will defend their fighter beyond reasonable doubt.

The Historian

They love boxing, have known it for many years... They love discussing the idea of matching 1950's vs 1970's middleweights, and search 'through discussion' for new ideas and consequences that may affect an outcome. However, they have studied the sport for so long now, and have such a wealth of knowledge that they just don't have the drive in them anymore to keep up-to-date with the fast paced boxing world of today...

The Stylist

A sometimes 'twisted' follow-on to the 'sport of boxing' fan as they define the motions and movements they enjoy above all else. I have noticed over the years, they tend to 'claim the high ground' in that all other styles of boxing are not worthy of their study... Nothing can compare... Sometimes known as the 'Purist'.

The Brawler

Only blood and guts, or a massive ko will do to satisfy their blood-lust...
They are the ones who 'boo' even though the action may be technically brilliant... I often wonder if there is some dark force at work in their minds...

Are you one/a combination of the above?

Which one(s)?

Martin · Posted: December 16 2006, 13:41 PM Post subject:

Cheers Seer, great article :bigthumb:

http://www.boxingbanter.com/viewnews.php?p=154785#154785

kerrminator · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 5552 Location: Scotland

Cracking post bigman, Ye kin tell yer a jock anaw coz yer furst type o fans the kinna yin thit bides fae oor bit lol ;)

I honestly believe im a good nuetral fan and being bias is something I could never be. :whistle: (aint that right Scot ma pal lol)

SeelowHeights · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 12507 Location: Bolton, England

I wouldn't mind saying that - controversially - a majority of boxing fans have a hint of "brawler" in them.

Like it or loathe it, we used to kill beasts and animals with spears a few thousand years ago here in Western Europe. In some parts of the world this still happens. Humans have had to fight and hunt to survive, and this can still be seen in our residual bloodlust.

A goodly proportion humans still like to see a bit of blood - trained people trying to exert their will on the other person / being / animal...and drag them kicking and screaming to places they don't want to go. If I had to pick some fights as examples - very few people criticise the Gatti / Ward trilogies or Barrera / Morales. They might complain a little about the lack of technique on display, but never about the lack of cojones.

That part in italics is the short reason why I feel most boxing fans will be - to a greater or lesser degree - be put in that category.

SeelowHeights · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 12507 Location: Bolton, England

ShotStevie wrote: I wouldn't mind saying that - controversially - a majority of boxing fans have a hint of "brawler" in them.

Like it or loathe it, we used to kill beasts and animals with spears a few thousand years ago here in Western Europe. In some parts of the world this still happens. Humans have had to fight and hunt to survive, and this can still be seen in our residual bloodlust.

A goodly proportion of humans still like to see a bit of blood - trained people trying to exert their will on the other person / being / animal...and drag them kicking and screaming to places they don't want to go. If I had to pick some fights as examples - very few people criticise the Gatti / Ward trilogies or Barrera / Morales. They might complain a little about the lack of technique on display, but never about the lack of cojones.

That part in italics is the short reason why I feel most boxing fans will be - to a greater or lesser degree - be put in that category.

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

I think I'm a fan who simply loves the show of boxing.

it's 10 or 11pm, the bright lights are showing from the roof of the building, Las Vegas is sparkling with lights, there's a packed house cheering on, and two men are getting in their to literally fight for their lives, even though it is not always apparent. The though is that each punch brings them slightly closer to glory, and they keep striving to get better, and be the best possible.

Call it whatever you want, I say that's me, a boxing fan.

WelshDevilRob · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 13405 Location: Cardiff, Wales

Not sure which- definately a mix. A Fighters Fan and Patriotic definately, also a Heavyweight Fan- though it wasn't listed, that is the division that my main focus has been on.

Great Topic Seer :wink:

23duff · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 4284 Location: Norfolk, England

Good post,
However as usual for these kinds of threads, I am really crap at answering them!! :? And as usual, here comes a real cop out answer.

I like to watch different kinds of boxing matches, so in that respect I guess I would be a "sport of boxing fan". Although I would say that I prefer to watch the bigger fights, I always enjoy good undercards.

However I also love a good tear up!! However I can quite easily sit and watch a really tactical fight between two natural counter punchers.

So I guess for me a cop out, err I mean combination!! :roll: :lol:

FloatLikeAButterfly · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 4023

I think we're all going to say we're a bit of a mixture because if we only liked watching really aggressive scrapping the whole time then we'd all be off watching UFC or Pride instead I'd imagine, and if we only liked tap and run then I'd wonder how we got into boxing in the first place as I'd wager the majority of us saw a barnstormer on tv when we were kids that made us sit up and take notice of the sport (for me it was the rumble in the jungle that I saw on video, and also seeing Mike Tyson destroying people left right and centre on grandstand).

For me, yes I do like to see a decent scrap but usually when it's quality over quantity. I wouldn't want to watch 2 beginners just scrapping with no skill involved (did anyone see the Ricky Gervais - Grant Bovey fight? It made me cringe). At the pro level seeing Maussa and Harris throwing windmill punches at eachother for 2 rounds before knackering themselves out and then tip-toeing round eachother for the next 5 rounds to get their breaths back before someone finally landed a punch to KO the other guy, was entertaining but not really in a boxing sense, more because it was like watching a freakshow. If boxing was like that every week then no chance would I watch it, but every now and again it's entertaining. But watching Corrales - Castillo 1 or Barrera - Morales 1, well I could do that every week because that was two quality fighters going at it.

My favourite fighter however was Lennox Lewis and as much as a loved Lennox he wasn't always a great entertainer if you like a brawl. But I liked to see the artistry, Lennox had a wicked jab and when he was up for it he'd dominate a fight with it and also throw in some uppercuts and that vicious straight right that he had. Whilst he was prepared to jab his way to a points victory (Tua) more often than not when he was ahead he would try and sit down on his punches and get the guy out of there, didn't always work but at least he'd try and be aggressive. That for me is the perfect kind of fight to watch, skill AND aggression and the fighter actually trying to go home early.

Much as I respect Floyd Mayweather's skills, the fact he always has a safety first approach kind of turns me off to him. Against Gatti I gave him respect as he did actually take that fight to Gatti and get him out of there, but it seems that now he's at welter he's happy to jab his way to victory and not really do much else, against Baldomir for example I saw very few of the famed 4 and 5 punch combinations we were led to believe he was going to land at will and most shots seemed to be single or double jabs. I know he's fighting at a higher weight against bigger men so he does what he needs to do to win and that's fair enough, just don't expect me to pay out money to watch it, the same way as I won't pay out money to watch Ricky Hatton beat someone like Maussa.

FloatLikeAButterfly · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 4023

FloatLikeAButterfly wrote: I think we're all going to say we're a bit of a mixture because if we only liked watching really aggressive scrapping the whole time then we'd all be off watching UFC or Pride instead I'd imagine, and if we only liked tap and run then I'd wonder how we got into boxing in the first place as I'd wager the majority of us saw a barnstormer on tv when we were kids that made us sit up and take notice of the sport (for me it was the rumble in the jungle that I saw on video, and also seeing Mike Tyson destroying people left right and centre on grandstand).

For me, yes I do like to see a decent scrap but usually when it's quality over quantity. I wouldn't want to watch 2 beginners just scrapping with no skill involved (did anyone see the Ricky Gervais - Grant Bovey fight? It made me cringe). At the pro level seeing Maussa and Harris throwing windmill punches at eachother for 2 rounds before knackering themselves out and then tip-toeing round eachother for the next 5 rounds to get their breaths back before someone finally landed a punch to KO the other guy, was entertaining but not really in a boxing sense, more because it was like watching a freakshow. If boxing was like that every week then no chance would I watch it, but every now and again it's entertaining. But watching Corrales - Castillo 1 or Barrera - Morales 1, well I could do that every week because that was two quality fighters going at it.

My favourite fighter however was Lennox Lewis and as much as a loved Lennox he wasn't always a great entertainer if you like a brawl. But I liked to see the artistry, Lennox had a wicked jab and when he was up for it he'd dominate a fight with it and also throw in some uppercuts and that vicious straight right that he had. Whilst he was prepared to jab his way to a points victory (Tua) more often than not when he was ahead he would try and sit down on his punches and get the guy out of there, didn't always work but at least he'd try and be aggressive. That for me is the perfect kind of fight to watch, skill AND aggression and the fighter actually trying to go home early.

Much as I respect Floyd Mayweather's skills, the fact he always has a safety first approach kind of turns me off to him. Against Gatti I gave him respect as he did actually take that fight to Gatti and get him out of there, but it seems that now he's at welter he's happy to jab his way to victory and not really do much else, against Baldomir for example I saw very few of the famed 4 and 5 punch combinations we were led to believe he was going to land at will and most shots seemed to be single or double jabs. I know he's fighting at a higher weight against bigger men so he does what he needs to do to win and that's fair enough, just don't expect me to pay out money to watch it, the same way as I won't pay out money to watch Ricky Hatton beat someone like Maussa.

Watching 2 counter punchers though, erm I'm not sure about that one. If it's two big names then I'll probably watch but more in hope than expectation, the two Taylor - Hopkins fight have turned me off to that for a while though

Dadgad · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1897

Terrific article, Seer.

My biggest passion is the history of the sport, but I also love boxing as a whole, and although it would be difficult for me to keep up with developments today, ( I don't own a satellite system, and only fights featuring match - ups with a German interest are screened on mainstream TV over here, ) I am fortunate to be a member of a forum such as this, with so many knowledgable members who keep me informed of what's going on. By way of example, I still haven't seen young Amir fight, but reading the opinins of everyone here has helped me to form an opinion.

syza · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 6548

All of the above 'cept for 'Fighter fan'.

SeelowHeights · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 12507 Location: Bolton, England

Mods - both Floats and I seem to have confused the quote and edit buttons so they might need deleting out!

Actually, alluding to Floatsie's post...he's said he's not so keen on the tap-and-move philosophy that Floyd Mayweather seems to favour currently and I find myself nodding in agreement.

If - and this is solely my opinion - Floyd fought in the pocket like James Toney - or marched his man down behind his guard and showed us really good defensive skills that way, I don't think anyone would have any major gripes about his defensive skills and probably even about his non-stop P4P marketing.

Toney can stand close to an opponent and not get hit. He even lolls on the ropes and still blocks nearly all the shots (note the Jirov fight). That's true defensive boxing skill in my eyes as it's not determined on pure athleticism - or using an athletic advantage against another.

At the moment he spends most of the fight fighting on the outside, and this leaves him open to criticism as he's using his athletic ability over true boxing skills.

That is not meant to decry the skills he has. However if we take Roy Jones Jr., when his speed faded it became crystal clear that he didn't have the chin to take a wallop, nor the skill/mindset to change his game when his primary strength had disappeared - namely his freakish speed. Whilst Floyd is boxing on the outside most of the time his speed is utilised as his major defensive strength, and not his blocking and parrying ability.

Duran was praised for his boxing ability as he could roll with shots and parry them close-in. For me, the ability to box on the INSIDE is tougher than off the back foot, and those that can do that are more worthy of praise.

SeelowHeights · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 12507 Location: Bolton, England

ShotStevie wrote: Mods - both Floats and I seem to have confused the quote and edit buttons so they might need deleting out!

Actually, alluding to Floatsie's post...he's said he's not so keen on the tap-and-move philosophy that Floyd Mayweather seems to favour currently and I find myself nodding in agreement.

If - and this is solely my opinion - Floyd fought in the pocket like James Toney - or marched his man down behind his guard and showed us really good defensive skills that way (Kotelnik / Witter springs to mind there in the mid/late rounds), I don't think anyone would have any major gripes about his defensive skills and probably even about his non-stop P4P marketing.

Toney can stand close to an opponent and not get hit. He even lolls on the ropes and still blocks nearly all the shots (note the Jirov fight). That's true defensive boxing skill in my eyes as it's not determined on pure athleticism - or using an athletic advantage against another.

At the moment he spends most of the fight fighting on the outside, and this leaves him open to criticism as he's using his athletic ability over true boxing skills.

That is not meant to decry the skills he has. However if we take Roy Jones Jr., when his speed faded it became crystal clear that he didn't have the chin to take a wallop, nor the skill/mindset to change his game when his primary strength had disappeared - namely his freakish speed. Whilst Floyd is boxing on the outside most of the time his speed is utilised as his major defensive strength, and not his blocking and parrying ability.

Duran was praised for his boxing ability as he could roll with shots and parry them close-in. For me, the ability to box on the INSIDE is tougher than off the back foot, and those that can do that are more worthy of praise.

Martin · Posted: December 18 2006, 12:27 PM Post subject:

Dadgad wrote: Terrific article, Seer.

My biggest passion is the history of the sport, but I also love boxing as a whole, and although it would be difficult for me to keep up with developments today, ( I don't own a satellite system, and only fights featuring match - ups with a German interest are screened on mainstream TV over here, ) I am fortunate to be a member of a forum such as this, with so many knowledgable members who keep me informed of what's going on. By way of example, I still haven't seen young Amir fight, but reading the opinins of everyone here has helped me to form an opinion.
Dadgad, you can see lots of Amir Khan fight clips/videos at the ITV website.

Click here: http://www.itv-boxing.com/Video/Story_Page/0,14457,6168_1327012,00.html

Scroll down and you have a large selection of clips to click on and watch. ;)