Why is Sergio Martinez not a bigger star? He has all the star qualities, the look, exciting fighting style, KO power. It's a shame he has yet to have one PPV fight. And were talking about a Top 5 fighter in the world.
These promoters need to get off their asses and stop letting HBO promote their fighters. Sergio should be fighting more than once or twice per year. No reason why he shouldn't have a bigger name and bigger following. Bob Arum gets a lot of negativity but he and even GBP would know how to promote Sergio and make him a star.
Its not even just Sergio. But guys like Paul Williams and Berto, both Americans with fan freindly styles, who get HBO fights all the time but still relatively unknown to everyone besides diehards. To top it off, these promoters come out of no where to cash out and expect Top Rank or GBP to give their fighters, their biggest paydays ever. If the promoters would actually do their job and build up their fighter's name, they wouldn't have problems getting big money fights with top dogs like TR and GBP.
I made a similar point about Andre Ward about a month ago...
He has all of the tangible things that general sports fans usually look for in their 'golden boy' fighters -- aside from style -- and yet he is almost completely unknown outside of hardcore boxing circles...
Gold Medalist - check
World Champion - check
Undefeated - check
American - check
Likeable - check
...throw in the fact that he has beaten (dominated) top tier talent recently and it is mind-boggling that he isn't more well known. Usually, the Gold Medal alone will make a fighter who turns professional one of the stars of the sport. He hasn't just gone pro, he has dominated some of the best in the world... And no one seems to care.
I realize that he doesn't have the tailor-made style for a huge draw, but there have been plenty of defensive-minded Olympic champions that became huge names.
I'm pretty much at a total loss as to the lack of promotion that Ward gets. Sergio Martinez is a certified star in comparison to Ward. The question is, do we blame Dan Goossen or is it just that the public hasn't embraced him for whatever reason? I feel like his accomplishments should be out there a little more than they currently are.
I made a similar point about Andre Ward about a month ago...
He has all of the tangible things that general sports fans usually look for in their 'golden boy' fighters -- aside from style -- and yet he is almost completely unknown outside of hardcore boxing circles...
Gold Medalist - check
World Champion - check
Undefeated - check
American - check
Likeable - check
...throw in the fact that he has beaten (dominated) top tier talent recently and it is mind-boggling that he isn't more well known. Usually, the Gold Medal alone will make a fighter who turns professional one of the stars of the sport. He hasn't just gone pro, he has dominated some of the best in the world... And no one seems to care.
I realize that he doesn't have the tailor-made style for a huge draw, but there have been plenty of defensive-minded Olympic champions that became huge names.
I'm pretty much at a total loss as to the lack of promotion that Ward gets. Sergio Martinez is a certified star in comparison to Ward. The question is, do we blame Dan Goossen or is it just that the public hasn't embraced him for whatever reason? I feel like his accomplishments should be out there a little more than they currently are.
I like him a lot but the people don't care too much about amateur careers, his fights are not THAT exciting and as a person he might be too nice, too boring. People like controversial figures.
But I think when he wins the super 6, he might become well known because he is an undefeated american.
It's not the same story because Martinez had 51 fights and is coming to the end of his career while Ward still has time to get that fame and big money.
I like him a lot but the people don't care too much about amateur careers, his fights are not THAT exciting and as a person he might be too nice, too boring. People like controversial figures.
But I think when he wins the super 6, he might become well known because he is an undefeated american.
It's not the same story because Martinez had 51 fights and is coming to the end of his career while Ward still has time to get that fame and big money.
Well... Martinez wasn't much of a name -- even in hardcore boxing circles -- until he lost that majority decision to Paul Williams, which was just four fights ago for him. He was a really, really late bloomer and he didn't get his professional career started until his mid-20s.
Maybe that is why the general public is late catching on?
Americans may not care about amateur boxing, but they do care greatly about the Olympics. The list of American Gold Medalists is one of the most prestigious in all of sports. For some reason, Ward didn't get that bump.
Martinez started late, I don't know why he's not a bigger star. He is also fighting out of Oxnard, CA, there are some good camps there. If he would have beaten Margarito and Cotto, I think he would be more popular now, like how Margarito is.
As for Ward, he is not a KO artist. He is not on HBO. He is not a crazy sh*t talker. He hasn't had a crazy memorable fight. Same reason why Dawson isn't bigger, but replace "not on HBO" with "weaker competition" for Dawson.
Well... Martinez wasn't much of a name -- even in hardcore boxing circles -- until he lost that majority decision to Paul Williams, which was just four fights ago for him. He was a really, really late bloomer and he didn't get his professional career started until his mid-20s.
Maybe that is why the general public is late catching on?
Americans may not care about amateur boxing, but they do care greatly about the Olympics. The list of American Gold Medalists is one of the most prestigious in all of sports. For some reason, Ward didn't get that bump.
yeah true. I know him since he was robbed in the Cintron fight.
and yes, the general public is late catching on. But fighters themself can help with that. There are many examples. Look at Haye. People getting excited about his fights even though he fought boring fights on the lowest level possible (like 40 years old Ruiz/Harrison).
Yeah the promotors are not really good but the fighters themself have to create excitement. Even the Klitschkos can promote themself and making good money and people don't consider their style as exciting.
As for the olympics: Ok, didn't know that. But it explains why so many americans thought that Solis had a shot against Vitali lol
I am very impressed with the Performance of Alvarez and Bronner in the last weekend. They are finally starting to showcase their boxing skills againts top 10 rank opponents in their respective Divisions.
I've seen Alvarez maybe 5 or more times now and he is definitely getting better each time he fights.
Shame Rhodes couldn't hang in there, thought he gave it his all, I don't remember him trying to hold on once. Shame he couldn't get more punches off.
You can't forget just how young that kid is, people will go on about his record, but he is moving up levels quickly now and fighting people at least with enough heart to make him work.
I don't want to jump on the band wagon, but this kid is gonna be great.
I made a similar point about Andre Ward about a month ago...
He has all of the tangible things that general sports fans usually look for in their 'golden boy' fighters -- aside from style -- and yet he is almost completely unknown outside of hardcore boxing circles...
Gold Medalist - check
World Champion - check
Undefeated - check
American - check
Likeable - check
...throw in the fact that he has beaten (dominated) top tier talent recently and it is mind-boggling that he isn't more well known. Usually, the Gold Medal alone will make a fighter who turns professional one of the stars of the sport. He hasn't just gone pro, he has dominated some of the best in the world... And no one seems to care.
I realize that he doesn't have the tailor-made style for a huge draw, but there have been plenty of defensive-minded Olympic champions that became huge names.
I'm pretty much at a total loss as to the lack of promotion that Ward gets. Sergio Martinez is a certified star in comparison to Ward. The question is, do we blame Dan Goossen or is it just that the public hasn't embraced him for whatever reason? I feel like his accomplishments should be out there a little more than they currently are.
I disagree to a certain extent about Ward. I don't think he's entertaining enough to be a star. He doesn't have a fan friendly style. It seems as if he just wants to do just enough to win. We haven't seen him take chances. His fights aren't exactly crowd pleasing and his last fight against Abe was a snooze fest. Besides boxing purist, he isn't wowing many out there. He isn't the type of fighter that we will see in many Fight of the Year matches.
To become a star in boxing, I believe you have to bring some sort of entertainment to the ring. Some drama, something compelling in his matches. So far, Ward doesn't bring much of that. Sure, he has great resume, but that can only get you so far. When you lack excitement in the ring, it'll have to come from elsewhere. Unfortunately, his down to earth, soft spoken personality works against him in this area.
At the end of the day, boxing is an entertainment business. If you're not entertaining the masses, then you're ceiling isn't very high. To be fair, I don't think we've seen him in the ring with somebody that can push him to the limits and force him to take chances and do more than just get the W.
I'm going to box my friend this summer. I am stronger and 10 inches taller but he might have speed on me. Neither of us have ever boxed before. Advice?
Good luck!
Specially with Zab lol
nah, I'm not counting him out but I don't think he can handle Kahn's speed, size, reach, workrate...
Common guys fill out your cards!!
at the end of the year the winner gets a e-high-five or something
Ha ha, I don't know why exactly, but I've always been a bit of a fan of Zab. Guy has so much talent it is sad he has been a mental midget when it comes to his super fights.
Re: All Purpose Boxing Discussion Thread
