There really is no objective argument any more. Top American boxers, regardless of weight, no longer dominate the sport on the world level. Take one look at the top pound-for-pound fighters and it’s as clear as day: Manny Pacquiao and Nontio Donaire (Philippines), Sergio Martinez (Argentina), Juan Manuel marquez (Mexico) and perhaps Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko (Ukraine). None are Americans! To be fair, Floyd Mayweather was dropped from their list due to inactivity, and could be back in there after September 17th, but as of now, only three Americans merit a top ten rating: Andre Ward, Bernard Hopkins and Timothy Bradley. Remember the days when as many as four of the top five pound-for-pound best boxers were Americans, with number one almost surely an American? There’s no question that as a nation we are losing our grip on dominance in the sport. The question is why? What has contributed to this? In my opinion, a perfect storm is what has allowed for American boxers to lose their dominance and subsequently for boxing to decline in popularity in this country.
First, I refuse to believe that the conventional wisdom that Americans no longer rule the heavyweight division because our best athletes go into football and basketball instead of the sweet science. That alone can’t be the answer because that cannot explain the diminishing number of great American boxers BELOW heavyweight, the guys who are too small to play football or basketball. Again, a perfect storm is what has contributed to the decreasing number of elite American boxers and subsequently the decline in popularity of the sport in America. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, allowing Eastern European fighters to turn pro more easily. This paved the way for the Klitschkos and others to walk through the door. It was easier for America to dominate when there were fewer countries to compete with. But the flagship heavyweight division lacking top American boxers greatly affects the casual boxing fan, and is a big factor in where we are right now.
