By Allen Hmiel: Boxing fans in Europe seem to flock to every big match in droves. The German and English fans support Arthur Abraham, Felix Sturm, Marco Huck, and the Klitchkos aggressively. The English fans loved Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzage now follow and support Amir Khan, Carl Froch, and David Haye. Look at the support Mikkel Kessler received in Denmark. Huge sellout crowds in Europe display the European fans love of boxing and love of their fighters.

American fans have so many options of what sport to watch currently that boxing seems to way down the list of popular sports in America. With the tremendous followings of the Professional sports leagues the NFL, NBA, and baseball and hockey, followed by college football and basketball coverage followed by Golf, Auto Racing, Tennis, and the surge in popularity of MMA fights there is almost no time to really support Boxing. Boxing in America gets little coverage in the TV news and in the papers. Professional fights in the USA draw few fans outside of those watching Manny Pacquiao and Mayweather whenever he surfaces for a fight every other year or so. There are no American heavyweight challengers of note which is embarrassing in a country of 309 million and not one heavyweight contender. Dirrell couldn’t sell a ticket in his fights in Detroit.

American Champions have no appeal to the main line American sports fans. Andre Ward, draws nothing in Oakland and is a virtual unknown in his own country. Bernard Hopkins isn’t a draw as old as he is. Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander have to go to Detroit to fight each other and no one knows who they are. Kelly Pavlik is in Rehab and his career is regressing and he didn’t draw when he fought anyway.
Yes, Boxing is at a steep decline in the US and Europe has a distinct advantage in the number of fans that support boxing and the list of European fighters in the rankings is significant and well deserved. European fans seem more passionate and appreciate their fighters more and support their fighters efforts all the way. As boxing slowly fades away from the mainstream fans in America, you will soon see Europe becoming more and more the center of the boxing world. The Klitchkos have shown the American cable networks they can survive and prosper without them. It is sad to see Boxing dwindle in the US but hats off to the Euros and their fast gaining dominance of boxing!!