We as boxing fans are always looking for the next big star - the next Ali, Leonard, or Tyson. What those fighters had on top of their boxing ability, was that X-factor that drew crowds to not only watch them fight, but also to hear them SPEAK. Charisma doesn't necessarily equate to being well-spoken, hell, look at Tyson! He was as bombastic as they come, but he had that AURA and he had PRESENCE. He was equally loved as he was hated, but no matter what, people watched! Is it a coincidence that many of the best fighters today are also some of the most DULL? True boxing has seen a recent resurgence of popularity, but that also has a lot to do with some great match ups (and also some manufactured hype) as well as pure nationalistic pride! People LOVE winners (especially if they are their own), but let's get serious, how many of these people actually have the personalities to go along with that skill? Let's examine some of the least charismatic fighters today: Chad Dawson - Comes of as a stuttering retard Paul Williams - Seems like an absolute dunce, almost at the 'minstrel show' level. Floyd Mayweather - Shows charisma in spots, but often seems manufactured and forced. He comes off simply as an insecure brat. 24/7 did wonders for popularity (and so did throwing wads of cash into crowds) It's a real dissapointment that a guy with so much ability and media backing can be so... uninteresting? Miguel Cotto - An introvert with absolutely no personality. He can never be what Trinidad was to Puerto Rico. Manny Pacquiao - "With great power comes great responsibility" Wtf? Does he think he's Spiderman? Granted English isn't his native tounge, but his musical as well as on screen career are 100% manufactured and 100% comical. Yes, he's big in the Philippines, but let's see how quickly his fans turn on him when he suffers his next loss. (Hell, many already have) opcorn:
David Haye is rather articulate and charismatic. I have a lot of doubts on how well he will perform at heavyweight but it would be good for boxing if he does very well. Kelly Pavlik is well-spoken. They can sell him sort of like a Ricky Hatton as a common man you can relate to.
I was just thinking about the original thread on boxing "looking for a new star" and how personality/speaking ability plays a role. Miguel Cotto, entertaining as he is in the ring, has the personality of dried paint.
Also to the list - Juan Diaz! HBO is trying so hard to sell him as some genius college kid, future lawyer/politican, but every time he opens his mouth he comes off as a complete idiot! Nonito Donaire - one of my favorite upcoming fighters, seems like a genuinely nice guy, incredibly polite and humble, but every time he's interviewed I can't help but think "deer in headlights" :doh:
Calvin Brock holds my interest like a buffalo chewing luicen. I also only find white fighters entertaining when they're getting EXPOOOOOOOOOSED.
That does kinda kill the image they're building up. I picture him in court talking like that stutterig lawyer from My Cousin Vinny. If he can speak Spanish he'd be better off doing that in interviews with subtitles or a translator...or a straight voice over.
:atu::laughing::laughing: Everytime Juan Diaz speaks...i'm thinking what the fuck is wrong with him....he is just like PEDRO..:laughing:
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Antonio Tarver has to be the most charmless fucker Ive ever seen. He even beats out Floyd 'man child' Mayweather.
Tarver might be annoying but he has charisma...I think theres probably a difference between charm and charisma
yeah, you might be right. Not sure though. I pretty much equate charisma to 'likeability'. It comes in many forms - some guys aren't animated at all and pretty dead pan but are very likeable and charming. I'd call that a form of charisma - something that draws to them and makes you wanna hear what they say etc. The Croatia manager at the moment Bilic is a great example of that. Some people like Tarver tend to be very outgoing and extraverted and draw allot of initial attention to themselves but make you wanna throw bricks at prams. Is that really charisma?:dunno: Seems more like anti-charisma to me. I immediately mute the TV or turn it over when he comes on.
good call. Listening to him is like when the cunts on the local news are trying to fill airtime so they interview the 10 year old kids about whether or not the particular gimmiky council initiative they're reporting on that day is any good. 'yeah...like...I...like...think it's dead good cause ...like...we can...progress and like....listen to what we're being...like....taught and that, so yeah it's dead brill...innit?