Tyson-Williams just not selling...

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 19 Jul 2004, 09:01

Only 7000 out of a possible 20,000 seats have been sold for the Tyson-Williams fight at Louisville's Freedom Hall on July 30. And they were sold within four hours of them going on sale on July 2 (and were in the cheapest price range).
Ringside seats are priced too high at $1500, and Danny Williams is virtually unknown in the States. The pay-per-view telecast is also blighted by a poor undercard featuring a WBO light-flyweight title fight and Laila Ali.
At $44.95 a pop in the States per pay-per-view, it remains to be seen how many 'hits' on the night occur.
Tyson drew 15,171 fans to The Pyramid in Memphis when he last fought in February 2003 - a 49-second win over Clifford Etienne.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 09:07

I think they are overestimating Tyson's sale value, very stupid. 1500 dollars for a non-title fight against an unknown opponent. The PPV is way too expensive as well.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 19 Jul 2004, 09:16

They should get Williams a warm-up fight this weekend to raise his profile.

Tyson's inactivity has reduced his marketability quite a bit, I'd say. Not much sympathy there.

I actually don't think this will sell massively in the UK. Its one saving grace might be that there's stuff all boxing on at the mo, so if we want to see any then we have to buy this, but I just don't like spending 15 quid on an average show. Even Earl-Murray isn't getting me that excited, and I'm buggered if I'm staying up until 3 or whatever just to see which of Tyson or Williams cracks up first.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 09:19

I know what you mean, I resent paying 15 quid for a non-title bout between a washed up former champ and a mentally fragile also-ran. However, there is a curiosity value which means I will probably end up getting the PPV, although I am likely to be dissapointed by it.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 19 Jul 2004, 09:49

I'll be buying it, but only because I desperately want to see Williams score a big win.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:16

thank god we dont pay american PPV prices

J · Post by J » 19 Jul 2004, 11:21

ill be buying it cos Im at my parents for the wekeend and its on my dads bill...jobs a good un

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:21

I know, 30 odd quid is extortionate, but then I think generally people tend to chip in over there and all watch it together, that doesn't happen so much over here.

I'm going to try and round a few mates up for this one.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 19 Jul 2004, 12:28

good luck

Wilko · Post by **Wilko** » 19 Jul 2004, 12:37

It's hardly surprising it's not selling well. As well as everything that's been mentioned above it's also being held on a Friday night which doesn't help.

Sky normally show PPV's free the following Thursday so I'll probably watch it then.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » 19 Jul 2004, 21:17

£15 to see big Danny get 3 good shots to the head then fold like he did on samil sam... I was in germany for the samil sam fight and looking at his last couple of outings samil sam isnt what i expected (another tua) but as i say, waste of money. Undercard isnt pretty either

Foggy · Post by **Foggy** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:06

Would have been nice to see this fight over in the UK, could have been a bigger seller over here.

Could this have happened anyway or is Tyson not allowed in the country (due to money owed)

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:19

Tyson is fighting to pay off massive debts to the IRS (and his ex-wife Monica), so he'll have to fight close to where the books can be checked. This fight is the first in a seven-fight plan for the former champ over the next two years.
Next up, if he beats Danny, will probably be Lamon Brewster or Antonio Tarver.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:22

Tarver or Jirov would be good fights for Tyson. I think he would do well to stay away from Toney though, I think Toney would whup his ass.

Foggy · Post by **Foggy** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:27

7 fight plan over the next 2 years - nice to see Tyson keeping busy, could just be what he needs to get back in the big time

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:29

DON KING's strategy is clearly to keep Brewster in position long enough to legitimise Tyson's shot. Hence a cat as undeserving as Meehan is Brewsters next bout.

I then suspect King will go for the Tyson v Ruiz unification, providing Tyson looks capable of BEATING RUIZ, which despite the latters lack of quality is no foregone conclusion.

I then suspect, providing Holyfield has a W on his record against anyone - Kirk Johnson-Mount Whittaker-CLifford Etienne etc that he will be propped up for Tyson v Holyfield III.

If Tyson comes through that - I think the Tarver/Toney/Jirov/Jones quartet will have sorted out supremacy and one of those will be matched for good money too.

Having read Briggs is training again and has the backing to support a $12mill purse for Tyson he could yet be fitted into the mix.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:30

The ideal scenario for Tyson next week is to beat Williams in 4-5 rounds.

A 30 second blow out will prove and achieve zip. And he then needs to be in the ring with Brewster by October. Or risk slipping to next year before he fights again.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:33

DavidPayne wrote:The ideal scenario for Tyson next week is to beat Williams in 4-5 rounds.

A 30 second blow out will prove and achieve zip. And he then needs to be in the ring with Brewster by October. Or risk slipping to next year before he fights again.

Yes, Tyson needs rounds under his belt. I think he'll get them.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:35

Yes, all very plausible Dave, I agree that they need to give Tyson a couple more fights before putting him in with a threat.

Ruiz has just the kind of style to frustrate Tyson, he wins ugly, but he wins.

I really wouldn't want to see Holyfield in there with Tyson again, this far down the line I think he will get absolutely whupped, Tyson isn't as physically shot, and Holyfield just cannot pull the trigger any more.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:36

I'm really trying to convince myself Danny can do this. Now is this a measure of Williams' unfulfilled potential or Tyson's collapse as a real force.

Of course its both. And I'm making sure everyone knows I'm buying this show because its Danny - if he was fighting say Botha again or Hoffman or some other imported 'stiff' - and lets be honest they think he's a stiff I'd be opting out.

COME ON DW.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:39

I know what your saying James. But I would back Evander v Tyson if he was 75 years old.

I just think Holyfield has his number. Shot to pieces or otherwise. I think Tyson is just as far removed from his peak if not further.

In the same way Holy cannot do the work he used to. Tyson has LOST just as much.

When was the last time Tyson beat someone as credible as Rahman or competed for 12 rounds with someone like Ruiz.

I'm not saying Holyfield is any more than 60% of his former self. But 60% of his former self beats 65% of Tyson EVERY TIME.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jul 2004, 08:44

I know what you're saying Dave. The one difference for me is that Holy is a natural counterpuncher at heavyweight, and with the decline of his reflexes and the recurrent shoulder injury means he won't be able to execute the gameplan he did in the first fight.

Tyson for all that he has lost is still a physically strong heavyweight with a big punch, and I don't think Holy would be able to exploit the gaps any more, I think Tyson has quite a bit more left, so long as he gets in proper shape.

I would love to see Tyson v Toney though, I think Toney is the mutts nuts, and I can see him whipping some real ass at heavyweight, unlike Jones Jr, Toney has sound technique and with all his experience is still at or near the top of his game at 35.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 20 Jul 2004, 09:41

Tyson v Toney would be worth it for the presser.

And on what basis are you claiming Toney 'whupps ass' at heavyweight?

Because he beat Holyfield? The same fighter you proclaim to be shot to pieces? Dont get me wrong I rate Toney, but he has to do a little more to secure his place as a REAL threat. Just someone bigger - McCline seemed so big as to be UNFAIR but it would have been an intriguing contest.

You make a good argument about the counters and the need for reflex nd timing Holy would need to employ, but again there are more options now in how you fight Tyson. He's less active, proving more opportunity to fire first, he's less mobile and his head movement is all but evaporated. I think Holyfield has more joy hitting Tyson than he did Toney, and doesn't suffer natural physical disadvantages like he did v Rahman and Lewis.

We'll have to hope this fight comes off, but I would always back Holyfield to beat Tyson.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jul 2004, 09:54

I am basing that on video I have seen of Toney in sparring for the McCline fight, and the way he surgically dismantled Holyfield. Sure, Holyfield couldn't pull the trigger, but I will bet you he would still have gone the distance with almost every other heavyweight in the division.

Toney's all around skills are leagues ahead of anyone else in the heavyweight division, he has a great defence, a great chin, and I has very good handspeed compared to the other men in the division.

I thought the McCline contest was unfair, until I spoke to Doug and the boys at max, and they told me how Toney was kicking ass in the Gym

Toney is a throwback, he isn't scared of anyone, and he's mean as fornicate. He knows how to break down these bigger men with body shots and frustrate their offence.

Toney also looked very strong at the weight against Holy, tell me this, when did you ever see holyfield wince from a body shot before? Wanna know why, Toney knows how to place those shots better than the big men in the division.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 20 Jul 2004, 10:00

Hope your right because his attitude is required in the division.