Some fights are naturally so big that they don't need extra promotion to raise interest. In some occasions the fights are big but the personality of the fighter makes it even bigger an event. And some fighters are able to fill stadiums by fighting scrubs. Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson are examples of the first group. They deserved their recognition, but even their lesser fights (such as Ali-Evangelista or Tyson-Biggs) created media attention. Oscar is a prime example of the second. De La Hoya vs Vargas, Mayorga or Pacquiao were big fights but Oscar's media skills made them the biggest events of the year. Naseem Hamed might fall in this category too, he knew how to put on a show. Of the third category, the first guy I can think of is David Haye. He filled stadiums at high ticket prices by actually fighting Audley Harrison, Dereck Chisora and Tony Bellew continue
Ali rules supreme in this category. People aren't going to like to hear this but outside of Ali, you have to hand it to mayweather. Floyd is rarely in exciting fights yet people dish out big dollars to see him fight every single time. I wouldn't say Tyson, because it was his style of fighting and abilities and the excitement he generated in the ring that drew the crowds, not his own promoting of his fights. After that, Chris Eubank Snr, Naseem Hamed deserve mention.
Mayweather actually got a lot of help in this respect by fighting other big names such as DLH, Pac, Mosley, Canelo, Hatton, etc.
Ali for sure. Every fight he was involved in had it's own story. Floyd's transition from "Pretty Boy" to "Money Mayweather" likely got him a big number of fans, particularly from the mainstream hip hop community, though as a trash talker he never said anything interesting. But the image he carved for himself did increase his fanbase. De La Hoya was up there for sure. He brought excitement everytime there was a fight. Couldn't stand him, but would no doubt tune in to watch him fight.
I gotta give Floyd the nod on this one, because unlike Ali and Tyson, Floyd managed to sell a shit product... over-and-over again.
agreed. its incredible that the guy got popular when is fight became more and more boring. As for Eubank, the guy was only popular in the UK, so he doesn't apply
As Brother Sly Said, Ali Reigns Supreme...But for Lower Weight Fighters, Prince Naseem Hamed Reigns Supreme... REED
Of course I would have. EVERYBODY ordered Tyson-McNeely. Mike was coming off a three year layoff from prison, everybody expected him to re-claim dominance of the division, and everyone wanted to see how he looked, even if we all knew McNeely was a sheep being led to the slaughter. Mike at that time was a different level star than Floyd EVER was. He was one of the most famous PEOPLE in the world. Just not athletes.... one of the most famous people in the world period. People will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS give a shit about Tyson moreso than Floyd. For all the controversy surrounding him, he remains one of the most iconic figures in SPORT'S history, not just boxing. Floyd has the personality of a chalkboard and will never be remembered as an icon.
Yes, no question that Tyson was a bigger star than Floyd. From 1986-1990, Tyson was arguably the biggest star in the history of boxing...arguably bigger than even Ali.
Hopkins fooled everybody every time he was promoting his fights, particularly the one with Trinidad (remember his motto 'WAR'?).
It wasn't him as all he always did was showboat how much money he had. It was the Floyd haters that wanted sooo bad to see him defeated that always got sold on the fantasy that his opponent this time around could defeat him.
