Strange Rumour Re Prizefighter & Hatton Malignaggi

[Poncey]

I've just heard an odd rumour from someone at a generic satellite broadcaster and wondered if anyone else has heard it, or knows anything about it?

The rumour is that part of the Hatton undercard will be a Middleweight Prizefighter tournament. Doesn't make sense to me, as FM already has Munroe fighting that night and the Sky B/O starts at 21:00 (I presume the Munroe fight has been announced as part of the B/O).

[leforge]

The middleweight one meant to be Dec 5th. Prizefighter wont be on pay per view.

[chris s]

I also heard that the middleweight one will form the British side of the pay-per-view for Hatton and that Munroe wont box on that day.

Ridiculous that Prizefighter means more to Sky than good old fashioned titles, but you knew they never gave a monkey about what subscribers think with Amir-Prescott.

[Poncey]

I also heard that the middleweight one will form the British side of the pay-per-view for Hatton and that Munroe wont box on that day.

Ridiculous that Prizefighter means more to Sky than good old fashioned titles, but you knew they never gave a monkey about what subscribers think with Amir-Prescott.

I'd heard that a Bristol fighter was part of the Prizefighter tournament and was gonna ask you or Jamie whether there was truth in it?

[chris s]

I also heard that the middleweight one will form the British side of the pay-per-view for Hatton and that Munroe wont box on that day.

Ridiculous that Prizefighter means more to Sky than good old fashioned titles, but you knew they never gave a monkey about what subscribers think with Amir-Prescott.

I'd heard that a Bristol fighter was part of the Prizefighter tournament and was gonna ask you or Jamie whether there was truth in it?

Wrong Chris mate. I know of two other fighters who were told to be ready for then.

[stujones]

Prize fighter only means more cause it rakes in more viewers - it will be interesting to see how the Welterweight one fairs. Personally I think the casual fans will not be as interested in it... especially as Prize fighter 2 frankly dissapointed as a specticle for the casual fan.

That is why I expressed a big concern after seeing the reaction on here about Prize fighter 1. I did wonder if Sky will go out of "proper" boxing and showcase more and more of these - looks like the bread and butter will suffer.

[Poncey]

Prize fighter only means more cause it rakes in more viewers - it will be interesting to see how the Welterweight one fairs. Personally I think the casual fans will not be as interested in it... especially as Prize fighter 2 frankly dissapointed as a specticle for the casual fan.

That is why I expressed a big concern after seeing the reaction on here about Prize fighter 1. I did wonder if Sky will go out of "proper" boxing and showcase more and more of these - looks like the bread and butter will suffer.

But does SKY replace it's domestic match-ups with Prizefighter? I don't think it does, so more Boxing is good, no?

Personally I think the Middleweight and Welterweight classes will be better as the pace will be faster. I just hope it doesn't get all tactical like the second HW one, otherwise Hearns will have to come up with solutions like Mr Maloney is doing/like we suggested on here as per the UFC model.

[stujones]

Don't get me wrong - I'd prefer Middleweights/Welterweights over the slow heavyweights - but will the average fan... they want to see KO's. All my friends have been talking about when I see them is the Khan KO.

Of course it has been replacing regular boxing. Sky used to show regular boxing once a week every week during the course of the boxing season. If it wasn't live action from the UK it was delayed stuff from the states/mexico/germany/asia etc.

[Poncey]

Don't get me wrong - I'd prefer Middleweights/Welterweights over the slow heavyweights - but will the average fan... they want to see KO's. All my friends have been talking about when I see them is the Khan KO.

Of course it has been replacing regular boxing. Sky used to show regular boxing once a week every week during the course of the boxing season. If it wasn't live action from the UK it was delayed stuff from the states/mexico/germany/asia etc.

I've only been back on Sky this year after a 4 year hiatus, but I've found it to be more than it was then. If you look at their slots they have almost a show a week now until the end of November.

The US shows are a moot piont, as their cost is chicken feed compared to what a British show costs to set up and film. Provided a UK fighter isn't involved of course.

[stujones]

Saturday fight night used to be once a week, as did Friday fight night a couple of years back.

Not sure why the loss of US fights is a moot point - I rather see quality 10/12 rounders over Prize fighter - even on delay. So if it costs them less then why not... cause they aint as popular in the ratings thats why.

First of all Prize fighter was going to be annual - now its looks like there will be 4 in the space of 5 months.

[Poncey]

Saturday fight night used to be once a week, as did Friday fight night a couple of years back.

Not sure why the loss of US fights is a moot point - I rather see quality 10/12 rounders over Prize fighter - even on delay. So if it costs them less then why not... cause they aint as popular in the ratings thats why.

First of all Prize fighter was going to be annual - now its looks like there will be 4 in the space of 5 months.

I guess we're apples and pears then Stu. I agree that the frequency of them is worrying, but I had always presumed that it would be one per year per weight class (which I appreciate hasn't been the case for the HW).

Increase the frequency and you decrease the spectacle (I do not wish it was Xmas every day), and that's what Prizefighter is; a spectacle. Boxing fans will always grumble, it's what we do best, but any effort that brings new fans to the sport by "borrowing ideas" from the MMA model is peachy for me.

[leforge]

Prizefighter wont be pay per view it gets very good figures for normal sky why change it.

[Poncey]

Prizefighter wont be pay per view it gets very good figures for normal sky why change it.

A Promoter and a Boxer have both told me the same thing now, so looks like it might not be strange fiction.

[chris s]

I've checked it as well and the middleweight Prizefighter is the British ppv side of Hatton-Malignaggi.

I'm told Sky planned a mulitple title show but were persuaded by Barry Hearn to go with Prizefighter, which could set a worrying trend.

Basically they are saying 'fcuk off' to championship level fighters and throwing their money at kids who are decent 8 round level.

[leforge]

I still be surprised. But I never thought I still warren back there. I prefer 4 championship fight than prizefighter on Sat but lets wait and see or speculation until confirmed.

[steve689]

Where would the Middleweight prizefighter tournament be held then? Any names in the pipeline as yet?

[stujones]

To be honest Leforge - your first post is the reason WHY prizefighter will go to PPV. Naz got good Sky Sports Figures - so they tried him on Box office. Its the popular fighters/fights that go to box office - to try and rake in more cash.

No point putting Peter Buckley vs Billy Smith on PPV is it.