Snobs...

[Evander]

BLAME THE ARSEHOLES THAT RIOT AND TRASH CARS OUTSIDE VENUES.

I actually agree with the residents.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED HERE ABOU THE VIOLENCE AND DRUNKS IN VENUES?

WOULD YOU WANT THEM ON YOUR DOOR STEP?

Probably not but,anti social elements ... you can f__k off with that right now,I don't even like the tone of it.
Back up I know kung Fu

[banjo]

BLAME THE ARSEHOLES THAT RIOT AND TRASH CARS OUTSIDE VENUES.

I actually agree with the residents.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED HERE ABOU THE VIOLENCE AND DRUNKS IN VENUES?

WOULD YOU WANT THEM ON YOUR DOOR STEP?

Probably not but,anti social elements ... you can f__k off with that right now,I don't even like the tone of it.
Back up I know kung Fu

[bennie]

The wrestling riots are fixed.

[teddy007]

BLAME THE ARSEHOLES THAT RIOT AND TRASH CARS OUTSIDE VENUES.

I actually agree with the residents.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED HERE ABOU THE VIOLENCE AND DRUNKS IN VENUES?

WOULD YOU WANT THEM ON YOUR DOOR STEP?

Probably not but,anti social elements ... you can f__k off with that right now,I don't even like the tone of it.
Back up I know kung Fu

Awesome

[boxingchat]

If I had paid several million quid for my house, I wouldn't want a boat load of noisy oiks pratting about outside it.

Err last night of the Proms?

I'd like to know how many people bought their flats without knowing the RAH was right next door. The vehues been there since Queen Victoria was on the throne FFS.

Also wonder how many of the residents are actually British anymore too.

[JamesH]

If I had paid several million quid for my house, I wouldn't want a boat load of noisy oiks pratting about outside it.

Err last night of the Proms?

I'd like to know how many people bought their flats without knowing the RAH was right next door. The vehues been there since Queen Victoria was on the throne FFS.

Also wonder how many of the residents are actually British anymore too.

Agree with a lot of that but not sure the point of the last line. Does it matter?

[black panther]

If I had paid several million quid for my house, I wouldn't want a boat load of noisy oiks pratting about outside it.

Err last night of the Proms?

I'd like to know how many people bought their flats without knowing the RAH was right next door. The vehues been there since Queen Victoria was on the throne FFS.

Also wonder how many of the residents are actually British anymore too.

As if that matters.

Though I agree its a bit of joke that other events are allowed there but not boxing, when other events could potentially cause just as much, if not more disturbance than a boxing bill.

[whicker]

If I had paid several million quid for my house, I wouldn't want a boat load of noisy oiks pratting about outside it.

Err last night of the Proms?

I'd like to know how many people bought their flats without knowing the RAH was right next door. The vehues been there since Queen Victoria was on the throne FFS.

Also wonder how many of the residents are actually British anymore too.

The problem is that boxing does have a reputation for bad fans. Yes, they are a small minority, but they do exist.

Perhaps if promoters worked on removing or controlling this element - a "Zero Tolerance" policy to obnoxious, violent and anti-social behaviour in their crowds, then the reputation of boxing fans would improve, leading to the end of situations like this Albert Hall business.

Clear and unambigious warning at shows such as " The is a XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Promotion. We have a Zero Tolerance policy on crowd violence. Anyone committing an offense will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law" etc would be a good start.

[boxingchat]

My last line comment was not meant to sound or be a racist, although I concede it may have sound like it. My point was the RAH is a British landmark and was built on the orders of Prince Albert to showcase the best of Britain's Sciences and Arts. The offical name for it is actually 'The Royal Albert Hall of the Science and Arts'

My point was most of the residents and the ones who appear to be complaining appear to be of the 'Johnny Foreigner' mould and cannot possibly say that they didn't know what the RAH was used for and had a history of when they purchsed their overpriced flats. Alot of the residencies around there are only 'London Pads' for the Rich or Diplomatic sector anyway. Mainly foreigners.

How on earth they can say that Boxing attracts anti-socil behaviour and louts when I cannot remember any trouble at the Hall for a Boxing event since the Frankhams had a tear up in the mid-seventies.

Music events attract much worse and some performaers have even been nicked for various reasons, drugs and violence amongst them. Do American Rappers or the Mobos attract the refined cultured audience? I don't think so.

Are the Boxing fraternity going to stand for the insults of a pompous Doctor, who is probably just Anti-Bocing anyway, and be called loutish or worse?

The Royal Albert Hall and the surrounding streets have had many problems connected to events at the Hall but none of them during Boxing events.

I have twice been to the 'last night of the Proms' and both times the behaviour of the so-called upper-classes was nothing short of vile. Pissing in the streets, mooning, flashing tits and taking all sorts of gear up their already turned up hooters is a regular occurance outside. Is it okay when the badge and blazer set do it, but not the ordinary folk? I don't recall any similar incidents during a boxing event, can anyone else?

In 1934 the Hall was filled with 3,000 facists to hear Oswald Mosley speak. I wonder if the residents complained then, or were most of them sat comfortably inside?

Something should be done, it's our Hall and the working class taxpayers of this country built it.
It was built as a hall for the people and should remain as a hall for the people.

[RLewis]

I remember seeing a piece on BBC London and the notable thing about the people objecting was how few London accents there were. It just looked like a vox pop in the fur department at Harrods. I'm sure they know nothing about boxing crowds.

One of the points earlier about witnessing trouble at boxing. Yes, there is often a problem at some bigger venues, but the only time I remember ever seeing trouble at the Albert Hall during boxing was at Tony Sibson v Frankie Lucas. And that was inside. I first went to boxing there when I was 9, I must have seen near on 100 bills there, including the days when the London ABA finals were held there every year.

You can't just transpose problems that may have happened at Wembley Arena or the MEN Arena to a different venue. Can anyone here really remember supposed "serious disturbances", as is claimed, at the Albert Hall. I am sure boxingchat would know better than me, but the Hall would surely have some sort of financial guarantee from the promoter about security. There would also likely be an 11pm or 11.30pm curfew.

If a boxing licence is OK for the Savoy, why not the Albert Hall? Maybe the local residents will try and stop people playing football in Hyde Park soon.

[whicker]

You can't just transpose problems that may have happened at Wembley Arena or the MEN Arena to a different venue.

I do see what you mean, but I think the problem is the nature of (a small minoirty of) boxing fans.

I don't think the venue would make any difference.

My point here is that in the first instance, promoters and organisers DO need to address this. Until then, I think this will get worse before it gets better (More venues refusing boxing etc.)

[mickey1975]

You can't just transpose problems that may have happened at Wembley Arena or the MEN Arena to a different venue.

I do see what you mean, but I think the problem is the nature of (a small minoirty of) boxing fans.

I don't think the venue would make any difference.

My point here is that in the first instance, promoters and organisers DO need to address this. Until then, I think this will get worse before it gets better (More venues refusing boxing etc.)

Its not THAT bad,mate.You make it sound like Football throughout the eighties.I know you witnessed some bad stuff at the M.E.N,i did too,but it was isolated outbreaks and a vast minority.I certainly wont be boycotting anywhere,in fact im looking forward to the Haye fight at the same venue

[Spud]

When I saw the title of the thread - I thought there were certain posters on here being criticised!!!

[RLewis]

You can't just transpose problems that may have happened at Wembley Arena or the MEN Arena to a different venue.

I do see what you mean, but I think the problem is the nature of (a small minoirty of) boxing fans.

I don't think the venue would make any difference.

My point here is that in the first instance, promoters and organisers DO need to address this. Until then, I think this will get worse before it gets better (More venues refusing boxing etc.)

I agree the promoters should do everything to stamp out any problems at boxing. It should be an environment that fans young and old should feel comfortable to go to. The larger the venue, the more difficult it is to spot troublemakers, as they just melt into the throng.

However, I do believe surroundings can affect people's behaviour. If you have never seen a fight at the Albert Hall, it's difficult to compare it to most modern venues. Most arena venues are geared up to sell as much drink as possible, the Albert Hall has fewer bars and a different atmosphere.

Price of drinks at the Albert Hall and the fact that it is more than half a mile from the nearest pub would probably stop a lot of people getting hammered too.

[Spud]

Ever since the promoter really worked on his boxers PR by getting his team to hand out "flyers" at football matches to attract support - this magnified the problem at boxing with regards trouble - nowadays its the norm for a promoter to put on a show when the boxers footie team are playing at home so they can make the game as well as the fight - some boxers even gain further support by going onto the pitch at half time and some even wear a football shirt into the ring.

Sorry to be negative - its here to stay and there is f*ck all the promoter can do about it other than have even more security on board - which of course impacts on the finances big time.

[whicker]

You can't just transpose problems that may have happened at Wembley Arena or the MEN Arena to a different venue.

I do see what you mean, but I think the problem is the nature of (a small minoirty of) boxing fans.

I don't think the venue would make any difference.

My point here is that in the first instance, promoters and organisers DO need to address this. Until then, I think this will get worse before it gets better (More venues refusing boxing etc.)

Its not THAT bad,mate.You make it sound like Football throughout the eighties.I know you witnessed some bad stuff at the M.E.N,i did too,but it was isolated outbreaks and a vast minority.I certainly wont be boycotting anywhere,in fact im looking forward to the Haye fight at the same venue

Just my own opinion, but I can't personnally say "oh, people near the Albert Hall have nothing to worry about," when I personnaly (as a fan) avoid live boxing now.

True, violence is still quite rare , but it's just the feeling of insecurity that worries me.


This is also in responce to RLewis's point.

[whicker]

Sorry to be negative - its here to stay and there is f*ck all the promoter can do about it other than have even more security on board - which of course impacts on the finances big time.

Indeed- at the end of the day, they have a business to run. And in my experience, some promoters are better at crowd control than others.

One argument, of course, is that fear of crowd trouble hits ticket sales, but then, thats a different subject.

[RLewis]

The connection between football and boxing has always been there. I must have seen Mark Kaylor box at the Albert Hall a dozen times, him wearing West Ham colours, without a hint of trouble. Certain boxers have brought a problem crew with them, connected with a football club, in the past, but to think that boxers haven't had an appeal to a city or a team until recently is just wrong.
Some of the worst trouble I ever witnessed was at Bruno v Witherspoon at Wembley Stadium. I just think in general, bigger crowds bring with them the worry that troublemakers think they have less chance of being caught.
How much trouble do you ever see at somewhere like York Hall (apart from the Audley riot)? Very little. I remember some fighting among some fans at the ABA finals a few years ago. The boxer whose fans they were was told to go and sort them out, and he did.

[whicker]

How much trouble do you ever see at somewhere like York Hall (apart from the Audley riot)? Very little.

Personally, I have attended some small hall shows with have been fine, but at others, there has been a more distrubing element- basially, the impression I got was that the crowd were not under control. Specifcially, at one show rather than sitting down, (drunken) latecomers simply stood in front of the floor seats, blocking the view totally.

Had this turned nasty, then there would have been little that could have been done.

[bennie]

I recently mentioned to some of the older American boys that boxing is no longer held at the magnificent Albert Hall - and they couldn't believe it.
"Sacrilege!" cried one.

[Buncey]

Great seats, great venue with great history...but, it costs a fortune and during the last 20 years how many fights have been there?

Forget nostalgia because the future is the Echo, the MEN and the O2 - venues where promoters can make a few quid - and safe venues like York Hall where promoters will not lose too much.

I read some..."boxing will never be the same without the RAH" quotes and it makes me laugh - many of the fighters talking about the venue ended up skint! I bet one or two of the Seventies world champions wish they had fought in front 0f 20,000 at the MEN/O2 and made some proper money instead of about 3,300 (the figure without the debenture holders) at the elegantly located RAH!

I will be asking for RAH boxing memories on BBC London 94.9 tonight between 8-9pm - email:[email protected] or text 07786 200 949.

Adios.

[leforge]

Seeing as there is no proof of supposed "serious incidents" surrounding boxing.

I've seen direct eveidence of drunken violence at more than one event.

Why being naive about this? This is a VERY bad element that attend boxing shows. You wouldn't get these at Hannah Montana, WWE or Rigoletto.

U okay Hannah Montana, WWE wtf!

[whiskey]

I just want promoters put on decent, competitive fights - the venue whilst important, can never improve a sh*t card of foreign imports and soft touches for their little starlets.

The nostalgia i care for, is of the bygone days of people actually fighting one another. Bricks and mortar are secondary.

[whicker]

Seeing as there is no proof of supposed "serious incidents" surrounding boxing.

I've seen direct eveidence of drunken violence at more than one event.

Why being naive about this? This is a VERY bad element that attend boxing shows. You wouldn't get these at Hannah Montana, WWE or Rigoletto.

U okay Hannah Montana, WWE wtf!

I'm not saying I LIKE them- just that they are generally a "safe" event, which would be OK for the Albert Hall!

all have "done" the albert Hall at some point.

[RLewis]

Great seats, great venue with great history...but, it costs a fortune and during the last 20 years how many fights have been there?

Forget nostalgia because the future is the Echo, the MEN and the O2 - venues where promoters can make a few quid - and safe venues like York Hall where promoters will not lose too much.

I read some..."boxing will never be the same without the RAH" quotes and it makes me laugh - many of the fighters talking about the venue ended up skint! I bet one or two of the Seventies world champions wish they had fought in front 0f 20,000 at the MEN/O2 and made some proper money instead of about 3,300 (the figure without the debenture holders) at the elegantly located RAH!

I will be asking for RAH boxing memories on BBC London 94.9 tonight between 8-9pm - email:[email protected] or text 07786 200 949.

Adios.

The capacity for a normal let at the Albert Hall is more like 4,000 and 5,500 for an exclusive, which in the Duff/Barrett days was normally one or two a year.
Cost? I don't know what it is now, but about 3 years ago it was about £10,000.
And how many Seventies world title fights were there? Duff put all his bigger fights at Wembley Arena, some earlier ones went to Earls Court, while really big fights went to football grounds. Wembley Arena normally had 2-3 shows a year, the Albert Hall had 6 or 7. The only world title fights I really remember there were Honeyghan-Blocker and Nelson-McDonnell.
Realistically, how many London fights recently have been too big for the Albert Hall? It would have been perfect for the last Wembley bill. And how many paid to get in to Haye-Barrett, or some of the recent fights at the Excel?
Charlie Magri's world title fights went to Wembley Arena and didn't sell out by any means. The night he lost the title, he needed Frank Bruno on the undercard to help shift tickets.
And I bet you can't get the O2 for under £20,000 per night. If the Albert Hall was too small and too expensive, no one would want to promote anything there, yet the main problem for promoters has been an inability to get dates because it is booked up so far in advance. Wembley Conference Centre was smaller than the Albert Hall by some way, yet it was considered big enough for most.
What London lacks is not a stadium sized venue, it lacks something between the York Hall or Goresbrook Leisure Centre and Wembley or O2. And that is the gap the Albert Hall used to fill.