Don King and PPV.

That one was right up there. I don't think I got to see that one. I had to go to Kemper to see Duran - Leonard on closed circuit.

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I used to go see all the big fights closed circuit. Leonard/Duran, Leonard/Hearns, Holmes/Cooney, Holmes/Berbick. I liked that much better than the PPV. When the PPV's came along you had to either go to a overcrowded and rowdy bar or stay home and pony up $50 or more. IIRC, the closed circuit tickets were about $15-20.

Yeah, I guess so. But I'm surprised they screwed it up so bad that it's still not recovered all these years later.

I saw Holmes-Cooney at a bar on a pirated satellite signal. My first satellite experience.

lack of competition possibly but I think it's more of a result of more fights that are more accessible

imo ufc really took off when they got the spike deal plus the ultimate fighter

boxing you only get to watch your fav fighter once a year if you're lucky and then it costs out the ass

I think as mentioned above, Don King had alot to do with it.

I also think the fact that Larry Holmes didn't have anyone close to his level for so many years. I seem to remember he was unbeatable longer than Tyson was, and no one came close until he started getting old. I can't remember who he was fighting, but I remeber him asking a ref how many more times the ref wanted him to hit his losing opponent before the ref would stop the fight.

Dinny

off the top of my head--the klitchkos, hasim rahman (sp?), evander holyfield (he came back, didn't he? needs to retire) and I can't come up with a fifth. maybe butter bean?

sad. and I was brought up to appreciate boxing in the days when mike tyson was unbeatable. wow, how far the sweet science has fallen :shake:

Holyfield came back and lost something like 5 of 8. He needs to retire if he didn't.

IIRC, he was having money issues and had to box to satisfy baby mamas. and when you take as many blows to the head as some porn star, it's kinda hard to get a 9-5 that pays enough to pay off the former golddiggers.

Joe Frazier's head is as hard as a concrete block.

Honestly, I couldn't tell you the current heavyweight world champ without a quick google.

We used to get to see fights on TV, but nowadays, all the good ones are PPV so the average joe doesn't get to see enough nowadays to even know who's boxing anymore.

I also think the Heavyweights really need 15 rounds to decide. I understand for health and safety, but even back in the day of great heavy hitters, most fights would go more than 12 rounds. Guy gets KO'd nobody can doubt the winner.

I agree Ali was a rare combination of any and all boxing talents.
He certainly deserves to have his name mentioned among "the best of all time."

The universe wouldn't let me.

I bet I haven't checked that channel in 2 years. I was just bored today and looked through for some HOF ceremony stuff an-.....oOOOOOOhhhh...lookie there.

Wait, does he fight Wepner or that other oaf he just be-...nice...I can plant the stuff we bought then. Shower, only miss the early rounds.

And of all things I just got Ali: The Whole Story - Pt. 1 in the mail today.

Didn't even have ta' use mah' A-K...Today was a good day...