Thursday, March 27, 2008

Marquez/Pacquiao do well among fans

The Manny Pacquiao/Juan Manuel Marquez fight at 130 pounds wasn't just a winner in the ring, it was a winner in the homes of boxing fans.

The battle of the two 130-pound stars was seen in nearly 400,000 homes after generating over $3 million in ticket revenues.

Pacquiao won the rematch by split decision. This goes to show that people will pay to see the best fights. Also, boxing has had a good couple of years in 2007 and the first quarter of this year. The best fights are happening and the fights have been simply fantastic.

And boxing is still very popular, particularly among Latino and Filipino populations.

Boxing still has a great following among other ethnicity's. Many of the sport's problems have revolved around mismatches, perceived influence by promoters and managers and in some respect to the lack of media coverage.

There are so many great stories out there that have never been reported and I see that as a lack of a reporter's willingness to go and get the story.

Finally in recent months we have heard the great stories of the likes of Kelly Pavlik and Israel Vasquez on the national scene and hopefully there are more to come. Plus, a book on former fighter Micky Ward is on bookshelves. If you get a chance, pick that up, it's titled "Irish Thunder."

- Felix

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