Brazil is a country that you would think could produce boxing greats, and yet, Eder Jofre remains the only true all time great the country has ever produced. Frietas being Brazil's second greatest boxer is kind of sad. This is a country that is dominated by football culture, but that's no excuse, because so is Argentina, and they've churned out a shitload of all time great boxers. Is it because MMA is the dominant combat sport in Brazil? Or another reason? I find it strange that Jofre's dominance in the 60s didn't inspire other Brazilian boxers.
I think it’s because of what you said. Regarding futbol and MMA. There’s probably just not that much participation in it.
MMA… Literally, 1 of the Most PROMINENT Skillsets in the Sport is Called “Brazilian Jui-Jitsu”… Futbol, BJJ, Capoeira…From REED’s Looooose, Working Knowledge of Brazilian Culture, Those Endeavors are Higher on the List Than Boxing… Anderson Silva was that Rare Bird, an Accomplished MMAist, “Whatever” Belt in BJJ, Who Also ACTIVELY Boxed, Years Before Facing Chavez Jr or Jake Paul… REED
The nog brothers were also pretty good boxer. Little nog represented brazil in some amateur competition if im not mistaken. And while its true that the popularity of mma explains the lack of good brazilian boxers in the last 2 or 3 decades, it wasnt nearly as popular before, so it's still weirs that they werent great brazilian boxers following Joffre. Yes, i know that vale tudo was a thing in brazil at that time, but it was a pretty marginal sport compared to boxing
I think it's mainly because of MMA dominating the combat sports scene there. Brazil and Japan have had very strong trade relations for over 100 years. I might be wrong but I remember reading that Brazil has the largest Japanese community in the world outside of Japan. That would be a big factor in the country gravitating more towards jiu-jitsu than western boxing imo.
In Chris' book it shows that the amateur system for boxing there is absolutely horrendous. Combined with the countries predominant love for BJJ over Boxing and I think it just make sense that there's only ever been one truly elite fighter from there.
It makes Jofre look all the more amazing. He was one of the most complete fighters in history. The fact that he was one of the most skilled fighters ever coming from a country devoid of boxing culture is almost miraculous.
@George Crowcroft did Chris ever get into Jofre's status in Brazil? Was he as big an icon as say, Duran in Panama? I was wondering if Jofre was overlooked as a Brazilian icon since his prime coincidenced with Pele's prime.
I'll level with you mate, I read it at the academy while I couldn't train with my wrists. I've smoked a helluva lot of weed since then He definitely wrote about Jofre's standing. He was extremely popular in the sense of he was very well liked, but I don't remember anything about how wide his fame was. The book certainly made him seem larger than life, though.
Pretty much what everyone covered, football and MMA (most notably Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), and there's also volleyball that's a popular sport there. The last Brazilian boxer that's been around was Robson Conceicao who just had his ass kicked by Shakur Stevenson in his last fight.
Conceicao is no mug either, clearly beat Valdez IMO. Gold medalist too if I'm not mistaken. Crazy amateur résumé.
Same reason India has no good boxers. They're all online trying to warn you about that dangerous virus in your computer they can remove for a timely payment of $49.99.
It's not mma, it's got to be lack of trainers. Boxing and bjj/mma are distinct sports with different athletic needs. So many great boxers would have done jack shit in mma and vice versa.
