Hearn fears for boxing's future

[Eraserhead]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7668498.stm

Barry Hearn says boxing's popularity could dwindle unless it pays heed to the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA).

Hearn, who promoted Lennox Lewis and Naseem Hamed among others, said boxing has "too many mismatches", and "Mickey Mouse titles" were confusing the fans.

"We've got to live with MMA, learn from it and innovate," Hearn told BBC Sport.

"MMA attracts a younger crowd who want fast, physical action delivered in an entertaining style. Boxing promoters can't bury their heads in the sand."

The UFC is the world's foremost brand within the sport of MMA, and competitors combine boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, wrestling and other disciplines while fighting in an octagonal 'cage'.

On Saturday, Clitheroe's Michael Bisping headlines the latest UFC show at the Birmingham National Indoor Arena (NIA) which it is set to be a 10,000 sell-out.

The event will be broadcast live by subscription channel Setanta and broadcast in approximately 150 countries.

The show has already broken Amir Khan’s NIA box office record, set for his clash with Michael Gomez in June.

The UFC has also outperformed Khan by some distance at London’s O2 Arena (17,000 v 9,000) and the MEN Arena in Manchester (16,500 v 8,000).

UFC shows also hold box office records and/or merchandise records at the MEN, the O2, The Odyssey in Belfast and the Newcastle Arena.

The UFC was founded in the United States in 1993 and originally marketed as an ultra-violent entertainment, leading Republican presidential candidate John McCain to label it "human cockfighting".

But in 2001 the UFC was bought for $2m and repackaged as an authentic sport, with weight classes, judges, submissions and five-minute rounds, as well as gloves and gum-shields.

By 2006, UFC was outstripping boxing in the US in terms of pay-per-view, and UFC president Dana White believes it can become as popular with British audiences.

"We're the fastest growing sport there is but we're not even close to where we want to be. We want to be global, worldwide, just like soccer," White, whose UFC has been valued at $1bn by American business publication Forbes, recently said.

"The UK media is getting more education about the UFC. They are realising that if boxing is a sport, then this is too and that they'd sell more newspapers covering us in their pages than bashing us.

"The UK is a much smaller country than America so it will take a whole less convincing to get UFC to be as much part of the UK sports calendar as the FA Cup or next Ricky Hatton fight."

British boxing's most high-profile promoter allegedly has repeatedly stated that his sport has nothing to fear from UFC, while fellow promoter Frank Maloney has said it will have "15 minutes of fame".

But Hearn disagrees and recently launched his Prizefighter Series, which involves eight fighters taking part in a knockout tournament in a single night of boxing, in part as a reaction to UFC.

He has already had two successful heavyweight events screened by Sky and the next, involving welterweights, takes place on 24 October.

"It's three-round fights and it's quick action for a younger audience,” said Hearn.

"Twelve-round fights can sometimes be painfully boring and young kids today want a quick adrenaline fix. UFC and Prizefighter give them that and are the future.

"Other than the very big shows, which only happen occasionally and are usually on pay-per-view, boxing's not delivering the ratings, and promoters live and die by ratings.

"Boxing ratings are not giving the broadcasters sufficient value for money.

"Prizefighter's not for the purists, but it delivers as an entertainment. UFC does the same, it's a great night out.

"If you rip the fans off by putting poor fights on and over-protecting fighters, they won't come back. Boxing promoters have got to move with the times.

"If you stick your head in the sand and say, 'No, there's nothing like a good old British title fight over 12 rounds', but you don't sell tickets and don't get ratings, then you're doing something wrong. And boxing's been doing something wrong for some time."

Interesting comments. I agree with him on all counts. In fact, Hearn's Prizefighter series is the ONLY interesting thing Sky Sports have served up in the last couple of years. I'm glad Barry sees the flaws with boxing right now. Those stadium/merchandise figures are staggering, to be honest.

[Bard of Boxrec]

What are the main MMA promoters and is there any chance Warren will ever jump ship? What do you all think?

[DavidPayne]

When did Barry Hearn promote Lennox Lewis?

[hitman_hatton1]

When did Barry Hearn promote Lennox Lewis?

yeah i was trying to think when he actually did.

[Poncey]

When did Barry Hearn promote Lennox Lewis?

yeah i was trying to think when he actually did.

I thought that. MMA promoter's/tions that spring to mind:
Gary Shaw
Affliction
Zuffa
Joe Silva
K1
Bog Dog

And GBP have already made it known they will be putting on Boxing/MMA cards at some point.

The fact that Rashad Evans has been used in the new Windows advert, and no boxers, speaks volumes to me about it's recognition.

[Ted]

This is complete bullshit. I went to a live ringside UFC fight and the only time it was interesting, was when they were tot-to-toe boxing. Once they grappled on the ground you couldnt see anything. Any wonder its need pomp and aesthetics to make it 'exciting'.

But I do think hearns doing the right thing with prizefighter.

I would compare it to 20-20 cricket. A short cut down version of the real game.

It will ultimately enhance the traditional boxing matches, where the viewer loves the quick all action prizefighter format - they will appreciate more the one fight 12 round solution to boxing. And it will be viewed as the cream of the boxing formats, solely for the discerning boxer and viewing public.

[Autobarn]

Did Hearn not put together any Mickey Mouse fights and promote any bogus title fights?

He is right that boxing needs to improve. I think it needs to improve for its wn sake. If these oldies that are hogging all the attention & money in shit fights don't get knocked off their perches soon...The sport will be horrible. The young fighters won't get developed properly, there won't be anything exciting on the big stages, etc etc.

[Pugilist-specialist]

let's hope , for the future of boxing , that Hearn continues to promote his IBO title blockbusters.

[hitman_hatton1]

let's hope , for the future of boxing , that Hearn continues to promote his IBO title blockbusters.

yeah coming from the man who milked steve roberts IBO title reign.

and wouldn't make the richard williams fight.

he's just pissed that he doesn't have a crossover name anymore like he had with eubank. DD

[bennie]

When did Barry Hearn promote Lennox Lewis?

Hearn promoted a few of Lennox's early fights, such as the big man's eight-round decision over Ossie Ocasio at the Albert Hall in June 1990.
It was a show marred by an horrendous piece of refereeing by Belgian pudding Bob Logist, which left an exhausted Mark Reefer out cold in the 12th and final round against an Argie.

[THEBUTCH]

It's a bit rich coming from Hearn. He's not the worst by any means, but he's had plenty of opportunities to put boxing in a better place and failed. Hearn and Warren might do well to note the reduction in terrestial TV the more those two became bigger players on the boxing scene.

Recent posts on Kaylor-Christie remind us of a times when even British title eliminators could produce epic nights in British boxing history. British boxing still has plenty of hot talents and sizzling matchups to be made, but the promotional paths the pair of them have trodden have seriosuly reduced likelyhood of this (Kaylor-Christie event) happening again.