Why isn't boxing as popular today?

Answer 1

Pay-per-view and corruption killed it. It used to be huge and I watched it pretty religiously. Loved the drama of up and coming fighters and those who had to defend themselves to struggle to survive. Then entered Don King and started fixing fights and buying referrees. People got tired of seeing fights that were very much in the hands of one person and go the other way or calls within the ring that were pretty shady. I don't have proof, of course, but that it what I saw before MMA came in.

Answer 2

The proliferation of MMA has taken much of the thunder away from what was the only televised pugilistic sport.

It also doesn't help that boxing has 17 world champions per weight class, and 30 some odd weight classes; heck I think I have a championship belt somewhere in my basement.

Lastly, the scoring of pro boxing is so bloody rigged that the winner is usually not the guy who should have gotten the win.
Since there are precious few knockouts what you end up with is a rigged, boring sport with way too many people laying claim to being champion.

Answer 3

There are several contributing factors.

One of the major factors is that talented American kids are not entering boxing. They would rather play football, basketball or baseball. If they make it to the pro level in one of those sports they absolutely will be rich. A good pro boxer has no financial guarantee at all. Unless you are a named fighter that fans recognize you don't make much money. So less talent is choosing boxing.

The media coverage is declining. Only Oscar receives attention from the media in general. In the old days the media who make boxing a major story not so much anymore.

The promoters are all about not taking risks with there fighters. Cotto is like 27 and has yet to fight a great opponent because Arum is afraid he would lose. Roy Jones took easy fights to guarantee his money kept coming in. The promoters only look to make winnable fights for there top fighters. Good matches are often not made.

Poor judging also hurts. The fans hate it when one fighter wins but the judges rip him off. This turns people away from boxing.

Answer 4

MMA didn't kill boxing. Corruption killed boxing. Most boxers aren't even in good condition to fight anymore. The lighter weights are still ok to watch, but the heavier weights are just 12 rounds of hugging. Even woman's boxing is more fun to watch because they train harder, and give it their all in a fight rather then the men's boxing.

Answer 5

Great Question?
It has alot to offer, and you can also be a part of like the
Boys and Girls Clubs
That's Cool!!!
Most City Recreation Centers offer cool stuff here!!
And if we only like a sport because of the current Champions, how do we get new ones??
We Need New Champions

Answer 6

It is tame when compared to the assortment of, frankly, more exciting fight sports that have emerged on the scene in recent years.

I still love to watch a good boxing match though.

Answer 7

Violence in general is in decline in our society, and boxing is a very violent sport. Less violent sports like football, basketball and of course baseball are all more popular than ever. Sports based on violence, like boxing, sport hunting - even sport fishing - are less popular than in the past.

It could have to do with the fact that America is "urbanizing" - becoming a nation where more and more people are concentrated in big cites, and less out in the countryside where these activities are more traditional and more accepted.

Answer 8

It was removed from network TV. The same thing would hinder any sport. Pay-per-view only attracts the die-hard fans and not the bulk audiences it once had.

Answer 9

Two reasons,

Don King and Mike Tyson.

Answer 10

Becasuse Nascar and Pro wrestling have taken over