Snoop Wrote:I think the difference between criticizing a British fighter for not traveling abroad vs criticizing an American fighter for not traveling abroad is that the elite level athletes predominately compete in America, so they are still facing the best comp, whereas it's not so much the case in Britain.

the ollie reed fan club Wrote:

Snoop Wrote:I think the difference between criticizing a British fighter for not traveling abroad vs criticizing an American fighter for not traveling abroad is that the elite level athletes predominately compete in America, so they are still facing the best comp, whereas it's not so much the case in Britain.

This is a fair point Snoop and one I actually agree with. However as the sport starts to spread more globally will American fighters start to get heat if they don't travel abroad? It's not meant to be a trick question either, just one I am genuinely interested in.

However in also keeping within the thread, I think Ward was clearly the best fighter in the Super 6 and deserved the title but it was interesting to me that he has largely been given a pass when he didn't go overseas for a single fight. To the best of knowledge every guy had to travel overseas in that comp except Andre but he seemed to cop no heat over it.

As I've mentioned before had Calslappy been in that tournament and refused to fight abroad you can rest assured he would've taken a pummeling on many boards and forums for it (and rightly so).

gravytrain Wrote:

Snoop Wrote:I think the difference between criticizing a British fighter for not traveling abroad vs criticizing an American fighter for not traveling abroad is that the elite level athletes predominately compete in America, so they are still facing the best comp, whereas it's not so much the case in Britain.

there's some serious bullshit going on over here now, it isn't like it used to be. Hopkins and Ward are the big name fighters that come to mind who have been fighting the best competition without home cooking.

Snoop Wrote:Mmmm...I don't think it will be in the same sentiment as it is placed for British fighters, or fighters from any other place for that matter. If there is criticism for an American not fighting outside their borders, it will be for fear of giving up a homecourt advantage (much what Ward could be criticized for), but not fear of stepping up in competition or protecting their record (because again, for the most part the best competition is in the US, either from the US or compete in the US).

I'm not here to argue whether one country's fighters are better than another, just that the criticism doesn't hold equal across all countries because the level of boxing is different between nations.

the ollie reed fan club Wrote:

Snoop Wrote:Mmmm...I don't think it will be in the same sentiment as it is placed for British fighters, or fighters from any other place for that matter. If there is criticism for an American not fighting outside their borders, it will be for fear of giving up a homecourt advantage (much what Ward could be criticized for), but not fear of stepping up in competition or protecting their record (because again, for the most part the best competition is in the US, either from the US or compete in the US).

I'm not here to argue whether one country's fighters are better than another, just that the criticism doesn't hold equal across all countries because the level of boxing is different between nations.

But I thought that was sort of the point of the whole tournament to scour the globe to find the world's best SMW and see guys having to go into each other's backyards.

As I say, let me be clear I think Ward wins this any which way you slice it, but I also think he escaped with very little criticism for doing it.

I'll say again, say Slappy had still be around and the undisputed king of SMW's and had somehow been coerced into entering this thing, what would've been everyone's take if he had refused to fight outside of Wales?

Even as the undisputed champ he would've got shit on from a great height by most fans, I would've been one of them.

Snoop Wrote:No we're on the same page. In fact I think Ward in the Super Six is a perfect example of why an American would be criticized for not leaving the country as it clearly wasn't because he was avoiding the best competition.

All I'm saying is that you'd be hard pressed to hear someone saying so-so American fighter is ducking the best competition for not traveling to x-country because most of the best fighters fight in (not necessarily from) America.

the ollie reed fan club Wrote:But don't you think it was a little unfair how he didn't have to travel in that comp, as opposed to everybody else? It wasn't even like he was the biggest name at the start of the tournament and could demand his way.

the ollie reed fan club Wrote:I have another one in mind but I think it will really upset the Aussie's. I wonder what it could be?.........................Hmmmmm.