American Heavyweights...where are they?

[Fitz]

(02-24-2020 05:43 PM)Snoop Wrote:  I'd say the mega-salaries of the NFL and NBA are more responsible for luring most of the athletic talent that would have made excellent boxers. Much more pay for much less suffering.

That's very true, but there is a market in US boxing for the right person to be making Floyd Mayweather money, and more than him IMO.

Mayweather tops all money lists when it comes to sports, and this is a fighter who is not overly fan friendly, not a knock out artist either and also not from the marquee heavyweight division

You drop Tyson from when he began in 1985 into today's heavyweight division and he probably becomes the highest paid athlete of all time.

You are 100% correct about the money in NFL and NBA, but for the right person there is a position and been a position there for someone to make A LOT more than the NFL or NBA have to offer.

[Snoop]

(02-24-2020 06:47 PM)Fitz Wrote:  That's very true, but there is a market in US boxing for the right person to be making Floyd Mayweather money, and more than him IMO.

Mayweather tops all money lists when it comes to sports, and this is a fighter who is not overly fan friendly, not a knock out artist either and also not from the marquee heavyweight division

You drop Tyson from when he began in 1985 into today's heavyweight division and he probably becomes the highest paid athlete of all time.

You are 100% correct about the money in NFL and NBA, but for the right person there is a position and been a position there for someone to make A LOT more than the NFL or NBA have to offer.

Yeah for sure, but that is like an extremely rare exception and the vast majority of boxers don't make shit. Even a guy that sits on the bench his entire career will make at least 6-figures a year. This is also because NFL/NBA just has a way higher budget due to it's popularity, advertising, etc.

I think it goes back to choosing between better chances of landing a moderately high income and lesser physical risk (though with the studies of the NFL coming out, who knows), versus an exorbitant income and high physical risk. I think at the end of the day, there's a limit to how much people are driven by money.

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(02-24-2020 05:46 PM)blackbelt2003 Wrote:  Hasnt NFL and NBA always had big money though? Wasnt it paying out in the 90's and early 00's when most of the best heavies were American?


Black

That's a good point. I think the prestige of being the HW champ has dwindled a bit as well as boxing here in the US has grown less popular, so it's certainly not all money related.

[JD]

As an elites athlete, you’re a hell of a lot more likely to become a multi millionaire in the NFL or NBA than as a boxer.

[JONdaCON]

NFL doesnt pay great at all compared to other Sports. Baseball drops MONSTER Salaries.. Basketball does too.

But in America, Football takes priority due to its popularity.. def not the pay... and like Boxing, it has that allure that you're a bad ass.

[JD]

For the masses, Football pays way better than boxing and offers many more opportunities.

NBA just pays well period. Dudes make money there.

[JONdaCON]

Not to mention basketball players get sneaker deals, jersey sales, their faces are far more recognizable cuz they dont wear helmets. Lol. Basketball is super marketable as well.

[JD]

From what I remember reading...average NFL salary is around $900k, and average NBA salary is something like $8 mill.

[salvador]

The entire high school culture in America is built around football and basketball.

There is a well worn path for both sports with mentors and an ability to play the sport without any hassle. And it's social and all your friends are playing those sports. And for high school kids it's where all the glory and girls are.

[JONdaCON]

Careers are much shorter in the NFL as well. Plus you can play pro ball all over the World.

It's crazy how HS and College do wrestling and there really isn't much of a career there.

[Snoop]

There's no real market for wrestling post college. One of those sports where it looks boring unless you're really into it and understand what's going on.