Has Mayweather/Pacquiao done the business of boxing more harm than good?

John_D80

So, the most anticipated fight of probably the last 20-30 years ended pretty much as was expected by anyone with any real knowledge of the game. The casuals,fair weather fans and first timers were in general disappointed not to see an 8 or 9 round slugfest with knock downs aplenty by both boxers and a tumultuous stupendous finish by Pacquiao. Anyone with access to Wikipedia though could find out for themselves that both men have a less than impressive KO/Win ratio in the last 5 years.

With interest in boxing visibly waning, and serious credible competition emerging from MMA in the last ten years, is it fair to say, that the fact last nights fight didn't deliver the fireworks expected by some fans, the sport as a business has suffered more long term harm than good??

Is there any match up yet to made in boxing that can generate anything even close to last nights levels of interest? It took 5 years too long to get Mayweather and Pacquiao in the ring. In the UFC, the champion (or anyone) pretty much fights who he's told to fight, when he is told to.

With something like 110 recognised champions in 17 weight classes across God knows how many governing organisations, has the sport been diluted to such a point that being a champion really doesn't mean that much any more?

Given, there are a few legit MMA organisations, each with their own champs but, it's widely accepted that the best fighters in the sport ply their trade in the UFC and holding a title in a smaller organisation is merely the best way to get yourself noticed by the UFC talent scouts?

The gap in PPV figures is closing at a steady pace.

Is this the beginning of the end for boxing as the most popular combat sport in the world?

Just a little Samba

John_D80 wrote: »

With interest in boxing visibly waning

Biggest box office take of all time, by multiples, but interest is waning?

John_D80

Just a little Samba wrote: »

Biggest box office take of all time, by multiples, but interest is waning?

Yes very much so. How can boxing hope to replicate or even come close to those figures again??

Many would say the sport has played its last trump card last night.

Just a little Samba

John_D80 wrote: »

Yes very much so. How can boxing hope to replicate or even come close to those figures again??

Many would say the sport has played its last trump card last night.

Many people talk through their hat in fairness.

John_D80

Just a little Samba wrote: »

Many people talk through their hat in fairness.

I would generally agree, but not in this instance. Last night was pretty much a blip in an otherwise downward trajectory. And now the sports 'PPV King' will quite probably announce his retirement within the next 12-24 months, if not sooner.

Where does boxing go from here??

martyos121

In my opinion, it is hard to see where the big PPV numbers will come from once Mayweather hangs up the gloves. There hasn't been a draw like him since Tyson. I see boxing going into a bit of a dark period for a time when that happens, with UFC closing the gap on them. Eventually though, another exceptional talent will emerge, and will sell themselves to the casual fan.

What is for certain though, is that the golden age of boxing passed many years ago, and I doubt we'll see anything close to that in our lifetimes, unless the sport evolves into a single organisation setup where the best fight the best, similar to the UFC.

My opinion on this probably isn't a popular one due to my bias towards MMA, but I don't see it panning out any other way.

John_D80

martyos121 wrote: »

In my opinion, it is hard to see where the big PPV numbers will come from once Mayweather hangs up the gloves. There hasn't been a draw like him since Tyson. I see boxing going into a bit of a dark period for a time when that happens, with UFC closing the gap on them. Eventually though, another exceptional talent will emerge, and will sell themselves to the casual fan.

What is for certain though, is that the golden age of boxing passed many years ago, and I doubt we'll see anything close to that in our lifetimes, unless the sport evolves into a single organisation setup where the best fight the best, similar to the UFC.

My opinion on this probably isn't a popular one due to my bias towards MMA, but I don't see it panning out any other way.

I'm also looking at this from a similar bias as you, but it's fair to say that most GENUINE (non-bandwagon type) fans of MMA are also boxing fans.

martyos121

John_D80 wrote: »

I'm also looking at this from a similar bias as you, but it's fair to say that most GENUINE (non-bandwagon type) fans of MMA are also boxing fans.

I'd consider myself just a casual boxing fan tbh. I only tend to watch the big fights that get coverage on Sky Sports News and general Irish and British media, as I need to be invested in the build up to have an interest in it, but I do watch the occasional Friday Night Fights when I remember it's on. So I wouldn't go as far as calling myself a "genuine" boxing fan.

Don't have much respect for the bandwagon fans myself, but you can't deny that it's growing the sport of MMA, and that's always a good thing. It would help if they could hold a conversation about the sport, name a few fighters who aren't ranked top 5, and just knew at least a few of the ground positions, but I digress.

Back on topic, a lack of top fights on cable TV in America is harming the sport of boxing more than anything, since fight fans have been spoiled by UFC on FOX and Fight Nights, which have thrown up some impressive cards to be fair. The Chicago card during the summer on cable TV is a huge statement by the UFC, and should bring in a lot of first time viewers.

John_D80

martyos121 wrote: »

The Chicago card during the summer on cable TV is a huge statement by the UFC, and should bring in a lot of first time viewers.

Bang on there. And hopefully the UFC have the sense to keep pumping out the free to air events on Fox and whatever other channels they have deals with for the prelim cards. And the fact that they are putting some really big names on prelim cards now is drawing in more fans than ever.

I think it's fair to say they have learned a lot from boxings mistakes.

nxbyveromdwjpg

Just a little Samba wrote: »

Biggest box office take of all time, by multiples, but interest is waning?

And it was terrible.

Back to UFC for my casual viewing needs anyway, fool me once etc

martyos121

John_D80 wrote: »

Bang on there. And hopefully the UFC have the sense to keep pumping out the free to air events on Fox and whatever other channels they have deals with for the prelim cards. And the fact that they are putting some really big names on prelim cards now is drawing in more fans than ever.

I think it's fair to say they have learned a lot from boxings mistakes.

Exactly, the Fertittas are shrewd business men, but with such a streamlined control of the entire industry, they are one big mistake from disaster. Whoever handled the Jones suspension did it perfectly for example, but the lack of such a decision in future would lead to problems in marketing their brand and expanding their global reach. I honestly think they could finally make a case to force through the legislation to allow MMA in New York this year. If they didn't handle the Jones situation as handily as they did, I wouldn't be saying that at all.

I think a good step for the sport of boxing to take is to cater to the big boys like HBO, Showtime and ESPN as much as humanly possible, and try and streamline the industry where the best fighters worldwide fight on their cards. The sport needs more than one quality fight per card to grow and evolve, it's just what people are getting used to now. They also need to cut down on building fighters up by matching them up with journeyman after journeyman. It's like a Premier League side playing in the Conference, if any of you watch the football. The best must fight the best for boxing to evolve, simple as.

SM01

I'm a casual fan of both boxing and MMA and my friends would be similar. GAA, soccer and rugby are the foremost concerns when family and work are catered for however an eye is kept out for the intriguing fights that capture the imagination. Last night's fight was just a really poor spectacle for me. I know Mayweather is superb defensively but his tactical masterclasses are very hard for the casual fan to get behind. Manny just looked ineffectual and combined it made for a really poor spectacle for me (thus probably showing my ignorance of the sport). Rightly or wrongly there's nothing on the boxing horizon that would inspire me to get up in the middle of the night again. The last MMA fight I got up for was Johnson vs Gustafsson, and while it was over in a flash and underwhelming, the ufc have enough going on with interesting fighters that capture the imagination and big fights that I want to see. Boxing is having a hard time getting a look in.

martyos121

Just had another look through Twitter and the amount of publicity UFC got last night is staggering! Professional footballers, musicians, Youtuber people amongst others all singing the praises of UFC after watching the Mayweather fight. I've never seen anything like it.

Certainly can't say it backfired, because it was the most successful PPV event of all time, but it's created a huge buzz about UFC and that's just what they needed after losing a top draw in Jon Jones for the foreseeable future.

As an MMA fan, I'm delighted. I don't think it's had a hugely adverse effect on boxing though, which is good as it's a terrific sport to watch a lot of the time. Boxing is crying out for a gifted, marketable and even controversial star to emerge though, as Mayweather is one fight from retirement. I'm excited to see who will capture that spot, but it could be a long wait.

poeticmakaveli

Wasn't pacquiao's fault,he wanted to fight,the ever boring mayweather stood tall and won a decision in disgusting fashion!! Its all about the win but mayweather is a disgusting looking fighter to watch and when u think of all the greats (hacker,hearns,Duran,leonard,etc) they were just warriors, mayweather just wants to do the mourinho on it! As fans we want more,he just wants the win and I understand that! Pacquiao wanted to fight,no fault of his own! Said it long ago,mayweather as a winner is brilliant but he is not worth the time to watch doing it! Depressing!!

deadybai

As a casual fan who used to have a big interest in the sport, I'm surprised with the fan and media reaction this morning. I think it goes to show how many bandwagon fans there were. That was exactly what I was expecting, but perhaps Manny unperformed. I was entertained by the fight.

Anyways boxing has really gone to the dogs. To me, I still think its a better sport than MMA and Ufc. I tried to get into UFC but there is something about two grown fellas rolling around the ground for 3 rounds that isnt entertaining to me. Boxing needs a superstar personality and unify all the titles. I mean does anyone outside Ireland really care that Andy Lee is the WBO world champion? Not really.

snaps

Money ruins everything. Boxing, football, cricket and possibly soon the GAA.

The bubble always bursts when people have made their money and it all collapses.

The clock is tickling on English premier league football too, where the money involved can't be sustained.

SM01

martyos121 wrote: »

Certainly can't say it backfired, because it was the most successful PPV event of all time, but it's created a huge buzz about UFC and that's just what they needed after losing a top draw in Jon Jones for the foreseeable future.

Just on this point, a lot of casual followers of boxing will have picked up on the hype and got involved, some may have got in a PPV and had a few "less interested but going along for the buzz" friends over to make an event of it, others getting out of bed at stupid o'clock or making an effort to get in from the club to watch it (on this side of the world).

The negative reaction this morning to the fight is quite telling. That we're having this discussion is telling - for a huge number the spectacle was built up to be a epic gladiatorial clash and it was a simply a let down. Those folk will be reluctant to bother for future fights when the most hyped match in recent memory has been a let down.

This isn't a slight on Mayweather's defensive prowess, just the perspective of a layperson who got caught up in the hype and this morning I am wondering what all the fuss was about.

lertsnim

deadybai wrote: »

As a casual fan who used to have a big interest in the sport, I'm surprised with the fan and media reaction this morning. I think it goes to show how many bandwagon fans there were. That was exactly what I was expecting, but perhaps Manny unperformed. I was entertained by the fight.

Is Mike Tyson one of these casual fans that doesn't get it?

https://twitter.com/MikeTyson/status/594736142286659584

Oscar De La Hoya was critical too.

Talib Fiasco

People talk about how Boxing is dead but the UFC has lost two of it's three biggest draws in recent months. Anderson Silva the greatest of all time tested positive for drugs and the whole MMA world has seemed to have turned their back on him and Jon Jones' life outside the ring has turned into a mess and looks like he's going to jail for a few years. Sure Ronda Rousey is doing great things but in all honesty I cannot see her fighting for much longer as Hollywood beckons for her. They are relying on McGregor to carry the torch now, because up and coming guys like Anthony Pettis have lost too. And I still think Aldo will beat Conor and that puts him back in his box.

Sure Manny and Floyd are probably the only two names the average person knows in Boxing, but there's always going to be new and upcoming names.
Asian Boxing is growing from strength to strength, there finally is another American HW champ. Canelo Alvarez appears to be the second coming of Oscar De la Hoya, a young hungry and very marketable guy who will fight anyone. Along with that you have guys like Terence Crawford who reminds me a little of the Floyd of old and then you have eastern European tanks like Golovkin and Kovalev who are sure to become household names in the near future.

People will say Boxing can only go down from this but that is because Manny and Floyd are two of the biggest sports stars in the world. There's only a handful of guys in the world with as much fame and recognition as those guys. It's only normal for other guys to be completely in their shadow as these two are complete super powers. I think Floyd and Manny retiring will be a great thing for Boxing. Floyd has already promised to vacate his belts to give other a chance... The future looks good.

martyos121

SM01 wrote: »

Just on this point, a lot of casual followers of boxing will have picked up on the hype and got involved, some may have got in a PPV and had a few "less interested but going along for the buzz" friends over to make an event of it, others getting out of bed at stupid o'clock or making an effort to get in from the club to watch it (on this side of the world).

The negative reaction this morning to the fight is quite telling. That we're having this discussion is telling - for a huge number the spectacle was built up to be a epic gladiatorial clash and it was a simply a let down. Those folk will be reluctant to bother for future fights when the most hyped match in recent memory has been a let down.

This isn't a slight on Mayweather's defensive prowess, just the perspective of a layperson who got caught up in the hype and this morning I am wondering what all the fuss was about.

You make good points there. I don't think anybody would argue that is was the boxing purists making this kind of noise on Twitter, in fact a lot of them were probably full time MMA enthusiasts who decided it was too big an occasion to miss out on (I'd categorise myself in that bracket).

If people are used to watching MMA, and haven't seen many boxing matches, chances are they won't be converted into fans. That's a 100% certainty when Floyd fights though, as he shuts the fight down and plays the scorecards very, very well.

This always had the potential to be a damp squid of a fight, and unfortunately it lived up to that billing. It's great for boxing in the short term as it created a huge amount of interest in the sport, but I have a feeling the UFC, by playing the long game with a more sustainable approach to the fight business, is slowly starting to win the war.

Dirty Dingus McGee

I'm a casual boxing fan and although it was an underwhelming fight last night It's still miles a head of UFC in my opinion.

Most UFC fights I have watched have involved the 2 lads rolling around on the ground most of the time and it's a terrible spectacle every time I've seen it.

I'm actually not sure why UFC is so popular but each to their own.

I would think that Mayweater finishing up would be good for the sport as it's a bit like the effect Kilkenny's relative decline has had on hurling in the last few years .

Surely they need to have less World Champions and force the best fighters to fight each other without any dodging.

A good boxing match is as exciting as it gets in sport.I watched the Mathysse Prvodnikov fight on BT earlier in the week and it was absolutely brilliant

CSF

People bought this fight based on the hype, when there was nothing ever to suggest this was gonna be a high-action brawl.

They've done this before with Haye/Klitschko and I see no reason why they won't do the exact same thing next time 2 guys manage to elevate themselves into the public interest.

UFC still hasn't managed to do that here. As a bandwagoning public, we still only really care about McGregor and that's primarily down to his nationality.

RoryMac

I'm a fan of boxing & MMA but I think boxing is still some distance out in front of MMA on most peoples radar as an event.

McGregor has definitely helped close the gap here in Ireland along with the decline in live boxing on TV but outside of McGregors fights any decent hyped boxing match will get far more notice among casual fans.

A fight between say Brooks & Khan would have far more interest in general than anything the UFC could offer(again McGregor aside)

UFC has some way to go to match boxing in popularity among casual fans but the gap is definitely closing

walshb

BTW, Conor was spot on with his view on last night. Said it was more like a business transaction than a fight. I thought Mayweather and Manny seemed too friendly in there last night? Anyone notice Mayweather whisper into Pacman's ear at the end of rd 1?

Talib Fiasco

walshb wrote: »

BTW, Conor was spot on with his view on last night. Said it was more like a business transaction than a fight. I thought Mayweather and Manny seemed top friendly in there last night? Anyone notice Mayweather whisper into Pacman's ear at the end of rd 1?

Yeah and the embrace after the fight was very very weird too. Considering these guys have been major rivals and have been throwing abuse at each other for years now, it makes no sense at all that they were so friendly about it.

RoryMac

walshb wrote: »

BTW, Conor was spot on with his view on last night. Said it was more like a business transaction than a fight. I thought Mayweather and Manny seemed top friendly in there last night? Anyone notice Mayweather whisper into Pacman's ear at the end of rd 1?

A touch of the gloves at the start of every round, a hug at the start of the 12th, they were certainly more friendly than I expected.

On the whisper in the first though, I didn't take that as too friendly judging by how I read Manny's reaction, he didn't seem to like whatever Mayweather said. But then again I was tired at that stage so might have read it wrong

walshb

RoryMac wrote: »

A touch of the gloves at the start of every round, a hug at the start of the 12th, they were certainly more friendly than I expected.

On the whisper in the first though, I didn't take that as too friendly judging by how I read Manny's reaction, he didn't seem to like whatever Mayweather said. But then again I was tired at that stage so might have read it wrong

I didn't notice Manny's reaction as I thought his head was turned. It was odd to see. Very obvious and deliberate, and the way Floyd said it came across as like instructions.

RoryMac

walshb wrote: »

I didn't notice Manny's reaction as I thought his head was turned. It was odd to see. Very obvious and deliberate, and the way Floyd said it came across as like instructions.

Manny's reaction was after the ref broke up the hug, maybe nothing. I'd need to watch it again

mdwexford

Last night was exactly what I expected result wise and how the fight went but it certainly wasn't entertaining and there is no other fight that would make me pay €25 to watch it, including a rematch obviously.

Boxing is diluted with so many belts and weight classes and most fights I've seen in the last few years have been boring.

I've become a big UFC fan over the past 8 years and it's so much better the way things are run. One belt, the best fighters take each other on. No ridiculous negotiations that go on for years etc

Big Ears

Floyd Mayweather did 1 million ppv buys for his fight versus Robert Guerrero and 900,000 buys for his fight vs Marcos Maidana. Sandwiched in between them he did 2.2 million for a bout vs Saul Alvarez.....and therein lies a hint of where one of boxing's next ppv stars may be.

People might have the perception that Floyd has been boxing's only ppv star since Tyson. But Oscar De La Hoya always did huge numbers; 1.4 million vs Trinidad, 950,000 vs Mosley (II), 935,000 vs Vargas, 1 million vs BHOP, 925,000 vs Mayorga, and 1.25 million vs Manny, 2.4 million vs Floyd.

Manny has been a huge ppv star, with 6 fights doing over 1 million buys (not including last night whatever that'll be).

IMO Canelo Alverez will emerge as a major ppv star. He's still just 24 years of age, has a massive fanbase already and his name will only grow more as Manny and Floyd fade away. Whoever emerges as the #1 Heavyweight in the World (Wilder/Fury ???) after Wlad will be a huge name aslong as they're primarily English speaking and fight out of America. So I'm expecting another ppv star there.

Vasyl Lomachenko if he continues to learn English and gets put in against top quality fighters could translate into being a big ppv seller aswell.

Finally I think 2 guys with an outside chance of making it big are Terence Crawford, and Roman Gonzalez. Definitely good enough talent wise and respected by hardcore fans but neither currently have any casual following. Gonzalez is about to get a push from HBO having not been shown on their network at all previously (to my knowledge) and having mainly fought in Japan recently. His low weight class will go against him somewhat, but he's a very exciting fighter and he could definitely move up through the weights to take some Super-Fights.
Crawford is likely to mop up Light-Welterweight imo and establish himself as the clear #1 guy for the 2nd division in a row. He's gonna jump up the p4p rankings soon and I think will start to get bigger and bigger fights.


Boxing's issue at the moment is we're in a period where a lot of the top fighters are quite old. Floyd Mayweather (38), Manny Pacquiao (36), Juan Manuel Marquez (41), Wladamir Klitschko (39), Bernard Hopkins (50), Carl Froch (37), Adonis Stevenson (37), Miguel Cotto (34), Koki Kameda (28), Rigondeaux (34).
Once those guys retire and are replaced we will see many new type names emerge, and a new era in boxing begin.

In a way this fight signalled the end of an era. The big fight finally happened, but both men will be retired within the next 18 months.

Peter Anthony

UFC is dying outside the McGregor bubble which will be burst very soon. There biggest draw is a woman FFS, its just not taken seriously. And the money may not reach those heights again til the next superfight but its still on a different planet to anything the UFC will ever get near. In America in particular UFC has been on a downward spiral for some time, the fight last night took over the country .

Was actually a decent fight I thought, anyone who expected much more than that with Mayweather hadnt seenor heard much from him before.

Talib Fiasco

Kameda is a very odd inclusion there.

leonil7

last great fight of boxing i reckon. glad to have watched it in our generation. manny will now retire and focus on family and politics. floyd will still fight and make money, less people will care. nobody likes a winner win all the time esp someone flamboyant, too unlike the rest of the guys.

Big Ears

Talib Fiasco wrote: »

Kameda is a very odd inclusion there.

, posts #20 & #21 here http://www.boxingforum24.com/showthread.php?t=222103&page=2 might explain it.

Talib Fiasco

Big Ears wrote: »

, posts #20 & #21 here http://www.boxingforum24.com/showthread.php?t=222103&page=2 might explain it.

Ah I see! He's actually a decent boxer though, although his younger brother is much much better and will get more exposure than him.

I really think Asian boxing is the future. Naoya Inoue I firmly believe is the second coming of Manny and a rivalry between him Gonzalez and Estrada could very well be this generation's version of Floyd/Manny/Marquez.

mdwexford

Peter Anthony wrote: »

UFC is dying outside the McGregor bubble which will be burst very soon. There biggest draw is a woman FFS, its just not taken seriously. And the money may not reach those heights again til the next superfight but its still on a different planet to anything the UFC will ever get near. .

What a load of absolute tripe.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

Leroy42

I'd be one of those bandwagon fans that you guys talk about. Passing interest, Andy Lee, pay attention to the Olympics and these big fights but no appreciation of the nuances etc.

But as in any sport, its the casual fan that is needed to drive growth. I haven't paid or stayed up for one of these super fights since Tyson.

A few things put me off. Tyson/Holyfield debacle pretty much put me off. This fight was oversold as the greatest f8ght of the century when even a casual review in youtube would point that while it was the biggest grossing fight it was unlikely to be an epic contest.

You can't really complain when you sell it as the greatest fight and then complain that people just don't understand the technical side of it.

Henno30

Very negative response alright but it won't make too much of a difference in the end. A missed opportunity to grow the sport more than anything else.

People have been saying boxing is dying for nearly a hundred years. Now most of those people are dead and boxing is still here. It will survive all of us too. As Larry Merchant said nothing can save boxing, and nothing can kill it.

Big Ears

mdwexford wrote: »

What a load of absolute tripe.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

He's most likely incorrect as UFC will imo grow and eventually pick up much more interest than it currently does.

But it's current state is massively inflated from our perspective here in Ireland as a result of Mcgregor. There has only ever been 8 UFC ppv's which have drawn more than 1 million view. Only 1 of those was in the last 4 years, and 4 of them involved Brock Lesnar (So possibly just a lot of buys from Wrestling fans).

UFC have lost a lot of their big names in the last few years. Lesner went back to WWE and recently signed a new deal meaning he's not coming back. GSP retired (although may come back), Anderson Silva lost a few times and is now banned due to doping. Jon Jones has been suspended. Liddell, Couture, Rampage, Ortiz, Griffin, Sonnen and some other big sellers all got old, lost/dropped down a level.

Also UFC are left with the tricky scenario of rising competitiors. In the past they've just bought them (Pride, Strikeforce, WEC), but is that a sustainable business model. If Bellator, WSOF, One FC all grow could they afford to just purchase them, and then have to purchase their succesors in a couple of years ?
What if a rival company is formed with a Tycoon's backing who just won't sell ?, then eventually we'll get a scenario more like boxing when the best don't always fight the best....

Anyway I expect the UFC will grow, but it does have challenges, and this is a boxing forum so probably not the place to go into it too much (but I did anyway )

cowzerp

I'm a big UFC fan and the ppv in it has waned since 2007, its not growing at all, if anything it's going down and cards are getting weaker
eventually when the athletes get paid more the quality of cards will further regress

The people turned off by last night aren't boxing fans anyway so it might not have won new fans but it wouldn't turn away old fans, I actually enjoyed it tbh

When Floyd goes someone else will become the new star, like Oscar was before Floyd

Canelo is only a baby and could be 1, Either way Boxing is going nowhere, last night proved nothing gets people going like top level boxing

Bubolor

Leroy42 wrote: »

I'd be one of those bandwagon fans that you guys talk about. Passing interest, Andy Lee, pay attention to the Olympics and these big fights but no appreciation of the nuances etc.

But as in any sport, its the casual fan that is needed to drive growth. I haven't paid or stayed up for one of these super fights since Tyson.

A few things put me off. Tyson/Holyfield debacle pretty much put me off. This fight was oversold as the greatest f8ght of the century when even a casual review in youtube would point that while it was the biggest grossing fight it was unlikely to be an epic contest.

You can't really complain when you sell it as the greatest fight and then complain that people just don't understand the technical side of it.

Well anyone who thinks a fight will be great because the promoters said so deserves to lose their money.

Henno30

Leroy42 wrote: »

You can't really complain when you sell it as the greatest fight and then complain that people just don't understand the technical side of it.

I don't think it was ever sold as a guaranteed epic by anyone except the promoters. It was a fight that needed to happen because they've been the biggest names in the sport for the past half decade. But with Floyd Mayweather involved there was always a good chance it would be dull.

Leroy42

Bubolor wrote: »

Well anyone who thinks a fight will be great because the promoters said so deserves to lose their money.

Yeah, stupid people deserve to loose their money. That will build the fan base!

It was sold as the fight of the century. At no point did they say to except a tactical defence master class.

I don't have any sympathy for anybody who paid to see it. But the op is asking did it boxing any harm and in my view it did as those casual customers won't be in a rush back

UCDVet

Just speaking for myself....I haven't watched a boxing match since Tyson until now. Everyone was talking about it, I wanted to see what it was all about. I even put down some money to make it interesting, stayed up all night, and tuned in.

In all seriousness, things like this attract all sorts of new fans. Someone like me watches it, enjoys it, learns more about it, watches more fights, etc, etc...bigger fan base means more people talking about upcoming fights and more new people tuning in. It's like a fire spreading.

But it can have the opposite affect. No disrespect to the people who enjoyed it, but I was underwhelmed and I'll be happy to wait another 20 years before I watch another match.

In fairness, I don't know what I was expecting. I wanted big punches and knockdowns and all that. I wanted Rocky VI. Or at least some controversy. Bite an ear or something. I think my favorite part was the interviewer asking some really meanly worded questions to Manny after his loss.

Really sound tactical defense or whatever, while clearly an important part of the sport, eh, wasn't that exciting for me. That doesn't mean it isn't impressive or a great fight for true boxing fans.....but for me, it's not worth it. Especially with the price tag required to watch the fight. I can watch lots of sports for free (legally) online or with my antenna.

Most everyone I've spoken (in person) with about the fight that wasn't already a boxing fan has expressed similar opinions. 'Eh yeah, so that was that....' Not a single, 'Can't wait for the Mayweather's next/last fight!'

I don't think it's going to *hurt* boxing....but I think it could have brought in a huge number of new fans had it gone another way.

Talib Fiasco

UCDVet wrote: »

Just speaking for myself....I haven't watched a boxing match since Tyson until now. Everyone was talking about it, I wanted to see what it was all about. I even put down some money to make it interesting, stayed up all night, and tuned in.

In all seriousness, things like this attract all sorts of new fans. Someone like me watches it, enjoys it, learns more about it, watches more fights, etc, etc...bigger fan base means more people talking about upcoming fights and more new people tuning in. It's like a fire spreading.

But it can have the opposite affect. No disrespect to the people who enjoyed it, but I was underwhelmed and I'll be happy to wait another 20 years before I watch another match.

In fairness, I don't know what I was expecting. I wanted big punches and knockdowns and all that. I wanted Rocky VI. Or at least some controversy. Bite an ear or something. I think my favorite part was the interviewer asking some really meanly worded questions to Manny after his loss.

Really sound tactical defense or whatever, while clearly an important part of the sport, eh, wasn't that exciting for me. That doesn't mean it isn't impressive or a great fight for true boxing fans.....but for me, it's not worth it. Especially with the price tag required to watch the fight. I can watch lots of sports for free (legally) online or with my antenna.

Most everyone I've spoken (in person) with about the fight that wasn't already a boxing fan has expressed similar opinions. 'Eh yeah, so that was that....' Not a single, 'Can't wait for the Mayweather's next/last fight!'

I don't think it's going to *hurt* boxing....but I think it could have brought in a huge number of new fans had it gone another way.

Giggled far too hard at that :pac:

Fair points though, it's a shame in a way that Floyd is the number one draw to Boxing as he isn't the most appealing in terms of highlight reel sort of boxing that would appeal to any sport fan.

Phil Mitchell

Boxing has a massive image problem in Ireland and the UK (probably America too). It's quite similar to the way Greyhound racing was too before the Irish Greyhound Board rebranded it as "A night at the dogs".

When you think of boxing in Ireland, you think of grimey gyms in rough areas. In the UK, I cannot help but think of East End gangster sorts. Even the promoters like Eddie Hearn reminds me of an owner of a used car dealership.

Greyhound racing had the impression that it was for men in long trenchcoats with gambling problems.

Boxing needs rebranding. It can't be about people from exceptionally poor backgrounds making it good. We've all seen that movie a thousand times

leonil7

there seems to be a viral going on, the scorecard looks reversed basing on the red and blue corner. did mp actually won the game ?

Icaras

I think all 3 giving the 4th round to blue/Paco pretty much puts this in conspiracy throey territory.

martyos121

Yeah that's BS mate. There's no argument to be made for Manny winning that fight, as much as I wish there was.

ebbsy

Pac did'nt win more than a couple of rounds, last the first 3 and flatlined again in the closing rounds.

Henno30

leonil7 wrote: »

there seems to be a viral going on, the scorecard looks reversed basing on the red and blue corner. did mp actually won the game ?

Dear god.