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Boxing like any other sport has its fan favorites and its villains, but what makes a fighter popular? There are no definitive answers as to why some fighters capture the public’s collective imagination where others don’t, but there are often similarities between the most popular fighters of any era. That being the case, let’s look at some of the factors that best define a popular fighter, and who the best archetypes of these facets are today.
Dominance
Above everything else, being in the public eye is the first step to becoming popular. The more dominant and impressive a fighter is the more people will see them, and in turn the more fans they will garner. Every fighter who has been truly popular has been dominant to some degree, irrespective of their personalities. From the snarling menace of Mike Tyson to the every man appeal of Ricky Hatton, right through to the softly spoken presence of Manny Pacquiaio, all have been impressive and largely successful fighters who have won multiple world titles. In mixed martial arts examples such as the stoic Fedor Emelianenko right through to the precise and clinical Anderson Silva show this rule is true for all combat sports.
The deceptively popular Floyd Mayweather (AP Photo)
Brutality
Although traditionally boxing and MMA writers tend not to like to admit this, large sections of any crowd in a fight are there to see blood spilled and someone get knocked out. A fighter who can deliver on the more base impulses is guaranteed to be a popular one.
As humble as someone like Manny Pacquiao is outside the ring, he is equally brutal inside it. Similarly someone like Edwin Valero or from yesteryear Rocky Marciano are followed for similar reasons. Different personalities outside the ring and different fighting styles, but the same goal in mind every time. Melvin Manhoef or a prime Mirko Crocop are fitting of this appeal in the cage, and every one of these fighters has highlight reels dedicated to their destructive prowess.
Nationalism
Some fighters enjoy a boost in popularity to a degree purely because of where they come from. This is a lot more prevalent in smaller countries who have less fighters representing them. Many people will root for a fighter from their country over a foreigner if they don’t know either fighter that well, which benefits the home fighter.
Also of course, being from a smaller country, you have a better chance of being famous than you would if you were in a larger country among dozens of top fighters. Joshua Clottey for example is probably more famous in Ghana than someone like Timothy Bradley is in the United States.
Back story
Fighters people can identify with are always more popular than the pampered millionaires that most become later on. Simply put tough surroundings make tough fighters, which makes it no surprise that nearly all the best fighters in the world come from difficult backgrounds. When fighters retain the humility and attitude they had when they were starting out, then people will still want them to succeed.
Examples of fighters with this kind of appeal are numerous, but perhaps two of the biggest of recent years are Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao. Hatton is much the same as he was before he became famous, still drinking in his local pub and watching his favorite football (soccer) team as often as he can. Similarly Pacquiao still loves Karaoke, albeit he can sing on bigger stages these days, and remains a humble and deeply religious man.
The Sweet Science
The polar opposite of one man demolition crews like the aforementioned are the fighters who wow audiences with displays of skill and finesse in their fights. A good example of this is Floyd Mayweather, who despite a lot of bad press and questionable statements remains a big draw.
Some might say this is purely because people want to see him lose, but even against virtual no-hopers such as the outweighed Juan Manuel Marquez he still sold big. Mayweather is just the latest in a long line of technical wizards though, and is a lot less popular then he would be if he encompassed some of the other factors as well.
Previous Fame
This aspect of popularity is something more often seen in MMA than boxing, which is more likely to have stars cross over from other sports. Recently several boxers have made the leap, and will no doubt make the most of the recognition they received in the ring when they step into the cage.
Similarly there are more and more professional wrestlers making waves in MMA at the moment, with the likes of Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley being at the forefront. Lesnar has sold over a million pay per views to fans of his wrestling exploits, and still plays up his larger than life persona to the full.
Barry Frye, Pittsburgh PA: “A lot of fighters come across as being desperate to become popular, but they never seem to. Carl Frotch is one of them”
Jackson Greening, Pittsburgh PA: “Dominance is the most important one, if you get to the top you are bound to have a few fans at least. Even the sleep inducing Klitschko brothers can sell out arenas in Europe”
Joseph Gorman, Pittsburgh PA: “People hate on Mayweather all the time, but he still sells more than any other fighter in the sport today, including Pacquiao, and he doesn’t even fight in an exciting way. Just goes to show the power of trash talk”
