Boxing's popularity could get boost

Some say a win for Kelly Pavlik would bring back
lost fans.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor facing off in a title bout will definitely increase the number of people taking an interest in boxing as a sport, those close to the fight predict.

Boxing viewership as a whole has been on the decline in recent years, according to several Internet sites addressing boxing issues.

There has also been a perceived increase in other types of fighting such as mixed martial arts fights, which are now televised and readily accessible.

According to the official website for Ultimate Fighting Championship, an organization promoting and working in mixed martial arts, the first UFC title fight on a cable television station (Spike TV) earlier this month drew about 4.7 million viewers. The event was reported to be the most watched mixed martial arts event ever in North America.

"Those numbers are huge. Boxing hasn't drawn numbers like that in years," said David Schwarz, spokesman for Spike TV.

Growing fan base

Greg DeSanctis, public relations coordinator for the International Fight League, another company promoting and working in the mixed martial arts sport, said the growing fan base for mixed martial arts is palpable.

"This has definitely been growing in recent years and even recent months. The turnout for boxing is decreasing and the opposite is true for mixed martial arts," he said.

DeSanctis said the level of excitement in mixed martial arts fighting is higher than that of boxing, giving the fans more to tune in and see.

Jack Loew, Pavlik's trainer, said Saturday's championship fight will likely do a lot to cure any longing for excitement and revive any waning interest in professional boxing amongst the masses.

Pavlik, should he win, has the ability to keep that interest alive, Loew said.

The trainer said boxing fans have become disheartened with mediocre fights and champs who do not fight the best competitors. But with two fighters who believe in a heads up fight, he said, that will change.

"This is the type of fighting people want to see: [straight] ahead action fighting," he said. "The fans have been waiting for a fighter like Kelly Pavlik."

Emanuel Steward, Taylor's trainer, agrees that more contests like the Pavlik vs. Taylor ticket are needed to increase viewership and interest in the sport as a whole.

"This is one of the few fights that I think will be a step up for boxing in general because you have two fighters who are warriors and known to be fighters," he said.

Steward also said spectators will likely take interest in the fact that both fighters will be walking on new ground when entering the ring Saturday.

He said Taylor will be facing a mostly Youngstown audience, an audience not cheering for his victory for the first time. Pavlik will be facing an opponent of Taylor's caliber for the first time.

All the elements of the fight, Steward said, make it a must-see for everyone including the two guys in the ring.

"Jermain himself said, 'I can't wait to see this fight happen and watch the replay the next day as a fan.' It's going to be a great fight," he said.

Michael Pavlik, Kelly Pavlik's father and co-manager, said fan appeal for the fight and future Pavlik fights has more to do with the winning personality of Kelly Pavlik than any one particular fight. He believes his son will revive interest in boxing everywhere, as he has seen him do in his hometown.

"Kelly has revived boxing in Youngstown, you can see it in some of the gyms where more and more kids are coming back in," he said. "Kelly just draws people from all over. People just take a liking to Kelly. He is just a people's boxer," he said.

If there is a natural draw to Pavlik, the boxer is not willing to speculate on what it might be. He just says he is being himself.

"No show, no fanciness. I just go out and be me," he said.

jgoodwin@vindy.com