Isn't it sad!

[len]

Isn't it sad that most of the best women's boxing action these days is found in Germany, Latin America, Korea, and even China. Except for the occasional major bout (like Holm vs Sanders) female boxing in the US (and Canada) is stagnating. Promoters are afraid to put on all female cards, and even good women boxers are relegated to opening bouts (not even featured secondary bouts on the card like they used to get).

Has the novelty worn off? Maybe? Has the quality of Fem boxers
declined? No, its improved over the years! Is boxing itself dying in the US, replace by more brutal "Extreme" fighting using mixed martial arts? Apparently so! Not even ESPN has been putting on live boxing recently. I have to brush up on my Spanish to view Telemundo.

Fans of these "Extreme" matches expect blood and knockouts, or at least submissions (to prevent broken bones). I'm in my sixties and still enjoy the sweet science as opposed to this brutal mayhem and near street fighting. Maybe I'm out of touch with what the public wants (usually males in their teens and twenties which the TV, Music, Movie and Gaming industries cater to because of their disposable incomes). This is the same audience that boxing used to cater to and from which it's participants used to come from.

With the country is a serious recession, this might change, or it may get worse as disposable income decreases. Women's boxing will probably get into the Olympics because it seems less dangerous now and is getting more exposure in other parts of the world, but will professional boxing (let alone women's professional boxing) in North America survive?

I would like to solicit your comments!

[TD]

Len,

Germany is paying its fighters decent purses. Many German fighters are now competing to be "the hometown" ( german TV) fighter.

And anyone who goes to Germany makes a decent payday, or they wouldn't put with the rig jobs and homers that happen.

So its money. Period.

Look at Gina Carrano, decent fighter, not in great shape, but dam good looking and she likes to fight ( kick to MMA)...American promoters are building events around her. But its MMA driven. And stand up is what drives the MMA events, not the ground game. Although ground and pound is what some fans love, its the stand up part that everybody is on the edge of their seat over. BAM, one shot in 4 ounce gloves and its over. The fans want knockouts.

Boxing by men and most women, has become a lame dance class. Fans hate that, networks caught on and local promoters won't touch it.

So most women should go into MMA, that's where the money is and the fan action is heavy. But note a key difference, MMA is shaped into a league type promotional concept. Even Norris' WCL is league driven. No typical lame-scum bag USA boxing promoter would ever touch that. Why? They can't rip off the fighter when he/she is contracted to perform in a league over so many matchs around the world / usa.

About your brutal comment, to date, MMA fighters have NOT shown the brain damage that a long boxing match typically creates. Its loaded with one punch KO's. Who was the last USA fighter with one punch KO power? Hearns or Hagler? Certainly Christy and Lucia had it. That's what fans want.

I wouldn't go and watch a Holm fight if they paid me MORE than she got for the fight. But I would pay to see Sandy LilTyson Tsagouris fight anywhere.

TD

[len]

I don't object to Chuck Norris's league because there are strict rules that good referees administer and the fighters are adequately protected. I object to cage matches where choak holds are administed and fighters are mounted and punched into oblivion. And contrary to your statement there have been some serious injuries in these matches, although (thank God) no one has been killed yet.

[TD]

Len,

the MMA serious injury ( brain ) stats come from the MMA. So, yes, they are not old enough to really track the outcomes.

I agree, ground and pound can cause extreme injuries. My reference was to boxing over a long fight vs. the one punch KOs of MMA.

WCL is NOT a ground sport. It's closer to K-1. Its fan friendly and there are plenty of KOs.

But MMA is growing and fast. Why? The various "leagues" have enough interest and regularly occuring events to build the PPV and live attendance interest. I don't know alot of young fans that ever want to go to a lame boxing event. Much too boring for them.

TD

[louisvilleslugger]

Dec 1, 2008 19:06:50 GMT -5 TD said:

Look at Gina Carrano, decent fighter, not in great shape, but dam good looking and she likes to fight ( kick to MMA)...American promoters are building events around her. But its MMA driven. And stand up is what drives the MMA events, not the ground game. Although ground and pound is what some fans love, its the stand up part that everybody is on the edge of their seat over. BAM, one shot in 4 ounce gloves and its over. The fans want knockouts.

Was about to mention the same exact thing. It seems like it's not just men who've been bit by the MMA bug. A lot of women too are overlooking training in boxing for MMA training these days, or at least in my neck of the woods.

You know one thing I've noticed (everyone has really) is that a lot of women's sports get boosts in popularity/visibility by a particularly attractive athlete. Tennis, softball, basketball--now MMA with Gina Carrano.