Despite being one of the best boxers in the world, Terence Crawford and other top fighters were criticized by Mike Tyson for not having enough entertainment value to draw large crowds on fight nights.
Ahead of his highly anticipated megafight against Jake Paul, Tyson made an appearance on the “Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios”podcast and shared his thoughts on the current state of boxing.
The previous heavyweight champion, who was once universally recognized, claimed that current top champions are lacking the necessary “it”factor to generate sufficient excitement among fans and drive ticket sales.
Tyson exaggerated that Terence Crawford, in a boxing match against Errol Spence, is the best fighter in the world but is unable to attract a crowd of five thousand people. He then went on to explain the factors preventing modern fighters from achieving the same level of popularity as himself and his peers.
“It is essential for a fighter to be both entertaining and thrilling. Even if they are the best in the world, they cannot draw a crowd of five thousand if they lack excitement. This is because their opponents are the ones with a large following and captivating performances, which is how they make their money. Although there may be skilled fighters who could defeat them, they simply do not have the same appeal and look unimpressive, like watching grass grow.”
Tyson observed that the fighters of the 1980s and 1990s were more captivating, resulting in them receiving purses that, when adjusted for today’s economic conditions, were greater than the earnings of the current top names.
There is some truth to his statements about the top fights in the current boxing scene. Crawford’s fight against Spence was highly anticipated and considered the biggest matchup of 2023. According to reports, the match brought in $21 million in gate revenue.
Tyson’s highly anticipated first match against Evander Holyfield was also the most talked about event, with the buildup lasting for over five years due to Tyson’s three-and-a-half year prison sentence. This fight generated a then-record $14.2 million in gate revenue, equivalent to $27.57 million in 2024 when adjusted for inflation.
Despite the numerical aspect, boxing has also become a platform for influencers to carve out their own unique presence in the sport. Personalities such as Jake Paul and his sibling Logan have generated a buzz that appeals to their respective fan followings, despite having minimal experience in the ring.
Despite the significant age difference and lengthy retirement of 19 years for Tyson, 57, and the lack of a notable opponent in their prime on his record, 27-year-old rising star Paul is still generating buzz for their upcoming fight, lending credibility to his remarks.
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