Boxing a RACIAL sport?

Question

Boxing tends to be a very racial sport, since people are always following the fighter that shares their ethnicity or place of birth.

Filipinos follow Pacquio, Mexicans- De La Hoya Blacks-probably Mayweather

Is boxing a racial sport?

Is there anyone who judges the sport of boxing by talent not by race. If so, what fighter of a different race do you support?

Will Filipinos be fans of Pacquiao if he was of a different race? Same for all other ethnicities.

Answer 1

I would like to think so. I like Pac Mans style of boxing like I enjoyed Muhamad Ali. I never like Tyson even when he was at his best. Golden boy was too pretty but good. Chavez was something else.

I think people put too much emphasis on race. I think a great fighter will have his following regardless of race.

Answer 2

That's sort of like saying that Basketball is a racial sport because the Chinese like Yao Ming, or that football is a racial sport because white people like Tom Brady.

Here's the thing- we pay attention to that which we identify with.  I'm a white guy of German and English origin, but I watch and root for Mexican fighters.  Why?  Because I grew up in Texas, and can identify with them more than I can identify with Filipino or Irish fighters.

For that matter, people follow fighters that beat others.  "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."  I watched the Marquez-Pacquio fight sitting in a room full of people speaking Spanish, and about half of them (even Mexicans) were supporting Pacquio.  They didn't like the fact that Marquez had beat Barrera.

People identify with people that have a background like theirs.  That may be, in some sense, a racial issue, but it's more likely socio-economic.  And even then, that doesn't mean that it's bigoted.

Answer 3

It may not necessarily be a racial issue, people tend to be fans of the local, or regional sports team, or players. For example, if you're from Wisconsin, you will probable like the Packers, if you are from Chicago, you probably like the Bears.

It's also like watching the Olympics, for example I am an American, therefore I want to see the U.S. Olympic team get as many medals as they can. That does not mean that I am biast against Canadians or Mexicans, it just means that I want to see the people from my City/Town, Region or Country to win.

Answer 4

It's only racial if a white person only likes white fighters, as Bernard Hopkins has proved that the double standards of behavior still exist.

I define racism as the belief that a specific ethnicity is superior or inferior in any of a number of abilities and traits.  The simple preference of following a fighter doesn't convey any reference to racial superiority.  If I choose to like only white fighters, that is my individualistic choice, and bears no reflection upon my political/social views.  Until I espouse and confirm that any specific ethnicity is inferior/superior, then people should refrain from judging a person as racist.

So if a Philipino wants Pacquio to win, it means nothing more than that until that person utters a political/social view very specifically saying that.  Jumping the gun to lable someone with the sick "racist" monniker is as irresponsible and shameful as racism in itself.  If I saw you saying hello to a kid, and then I went screaming to every person and their third cousin that you are a sexual predator, I'd be dead wrong, but the magnitude of the accusation is enough to cause harm to the innocent.  So careful when branding someone racist.

Answer 5

It's nice to turn the page a bit on this one, and see some intelligent and mild mannered answers. America is America, I believe we choose and celebrate for whomever makes us happy and motivates us, I am an African-America, live in New York and I was a huge Brett Farve fan from Green Bay, Also a Felix Trinidad Fan, and now a fan of Kelly Pavlik, I think the decision on who we follow or cheer for depends on the performance of a person, or team. Very nice question.

Answer 6

Boxing is not racial, we are.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, all sports are racial. Ever been to an international soccer match? Even Yahoo answers, that's why most people are using avatar instead of their own pictures because it is easier to communicate that way when everyone is pretty much the same.

Answer 8

Filipinos adore Pacquiao because he is Filipino.

Mexicans adores JMM, MAB, Morales because they are from Mexico.

In short. Love your own.

Dela Hoya is from Puerto Rico not from Mexico.

Im a big fan of Mike Tyson, Oscar Dela Hoya, Erik Morales and Floyd Mayweather and I'm a Filipino.

Answer 9

Nationalistic pride in a fighter who shares your culture, your customes and, in most cases, your circumstances, is a big draw for any fighter.

It isn't any more racially motivated than the people themselves who participate or who are spectators.

If the fans are racists, that is a personal issue not a boxing issue.

Answer 10

STONECHIC explained it all

Answer 11

its called being proud of heritage. give me an irish boxer and i would watch probably