2015 Canadian Grand Prix thread

[Nitrodaze]

Just for the record Marciano and Ali were in different eras, as was Tyson. In the USA in order to see "The Rumble in the Jungle" (Ali vs Foreman 1974) you had to go to a theatre or arena to watch it on closed circuit TV (before cable). I saw it live at the San Diego Sports Arena, for about $10 a seat. But since than it has become much more expensive. In the early 60s the fighters all fought 3 times a year, even the heavyweights, so you had a good idea of how they stacked up against each other. However Boxing is a different kettle of fish than auto racing, and I think it is not an appropriate comparison.

I hear you, but Rumble in the jungle is not representative of the situation either. The technology of the time and the telecommunication challenge of televising the fight was somewhat particular. It was a model that is akin more to pay per view than your normal fights of the time.
At the end of the day it is about the show, be it an individual event or a team event as in F1. Accessibility of the show to the masses is important to the wider appeal of the achievement of the cream of the sport that are the champions. My point is, when the show moves into an exclusive accessibility situation, exposed to a few, it loses it wider appeal and as a result respect falls as a consequence. The broader recognition of the cream of the sport as in boxing is quite dramatically reduced. The broader interest drops as a consequence as well.

A larger number of people across the globe can name most of the drivers in the current season. Not alot of people can tell you of the boxers in recent time. Which is sad as the social banter of boxing has moved on to other sports; football, baseball car racing etc everything other than boxing.