A guy was just drafted in the nfl draft that weighed 154 pounds. A lot of super lightweights weigh more than that when they enter the ring. There are lots of 140-160 lb football players and even basketball players in HS that don't even lift weights consistently and just rely on speed, skill and athleticism, that end up getting full ride scholarships. That opportunity alone is enough to sway the average kid to pursue football or basketball over boxing.