As a longtime fan of Boxing, one of the things that I feel is wrong with the sport is the incessant trash talking, disrespectful behavior and over the top and over the line insults that some boxers use. I've mentioned this to others to point out why I can't stand Floyd Mayweather Jr. so much, and they throw out the obligatory "Well, they only do that to sell tickets". The fact of the matter is though, that it's not needed to sell tickets. Same goes for the pushing and shoving and "fights" that are started at the press conferences and weigh ins.

Paul Strauss has a fantastic column over at East Side Boxing that explores this very aspect, and he points out that the trash talking boxer is actually in the minority of the sport. The vast majority hold themselves up with honor and grace when dealing with opponents. It's only the select few, that are of the trash talk type. And that the act of degrading your opponent and trying to be more outrageous than the last time you spoke, doesn't necessarily bring people out. Those people who do that (the Tysons, the Ali's the Mayweather Jr's) have the skills necessary to bring people out in droves ANYWAY. And in fact, as Strauss points out, it could bring even MORE people by being fan friendly and accessible.

The reality of the situation is boxing has thrived and will continue to thrive for the right reason, because it can present fans with good and great fighters, whose tremendous skills bring unparalleled levels of excitement, which is appreciated by all fans, even the ones who defend the aforementioned.

The truth is Mike Tyson filled arenas long before he got sucked into the clutches of Robin Givens, promoter Don King, and the accompanying depression and medicated life. Before that he filled the stands because he was a great knockout puncher, who brought excitement to the ring.

The fact is Muhammad Ali would have been even more popular without the insults and bragging. He was great, period! He didn't need to insult Joe Frazier, Floyd Patterson, or George Chuvalo. It was unnecessary then, and the same is true today.

Fans know who is great. They can see it. They don't need or want the fighter or his trainer or manager to tell them. A great fighter like Floyd Mayweather, Jr. would see his popularity quickly elevate to that of someone like De La Hoya or Pacquiao if he employed common sense and a little diplomacy. For example, instead of reacting with personal insults to legitimate questions, such as those recently posed by ESPN interviewer Brian Kenny, he could have and should have used his head, and simply said something like, "Well, the Marquez fight was available and an easy one to make. After this fight, I will certainly look at the possibility of fighting any of the top fighters around, such as Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley, Paul Williams, or Miquel Cotto to name a few. In fact, I look forward to it, and I am sure fans do too. Any of those guys would be worthy opponents for me and would make great fights for the fans."

Now, try to convince yourself that someone with Floyd's skills and that kind of behavior and demeanor wouldn't set even greater attendance records? The truth is boxing is not wrestling or MMA. It doesn't need goofy sounding announcers, dancing girls, comic book characters, low volume punching or submission holds to thrive. It has always needed skilled, tough boxers, who are willing to pit their particular skills against the best out there.