Why are Aussie bills often on weekdays?

[oliverfennell]

Around the world, big boxing cards are almost always on Saturdays. But in Australia, they're often on weeknights (typically Wednesdays). Why is that? Considering that boxing shows typically finish quite late, and people have to work in the morning, as well as many fans like to have a drink at the fights, and also anyone from outside the host city wishing to attend will have to take time off work and make significant travel plans, considering the geographical distances in Australia. Surely weekends are better?

[ra2006]

Very good question Oliver.

As a fellow Brit I find it quite odd that this is only one of the few countries in the world who screens live fights on a weekday.

[Marlin]

I disagree with it but I think it all started with Mundine walking away from his League career mid contract and part of the agreement was that he could not put fights on in competition with League games. I reckon it flowed on from there with promoters not wanting to clash withe the other (bigger) sports here.

[adamheight]

it must have something to do with league and afl dominating weekend sport.

i must admit having a ppv on a Wednesday night was strange to me when i first came down under.

[adnileb]

it must have something to do with league and afl dominating weekend sport.

i must admit having a ppv on a Wednesday night was strange to me when i first came down under.

Exactly! too much competitive sports to compete with in the weekend. Especially in regards to PPV demographics as to the reasoning weekdays were a preferred option for promoters so they could capitalise on market share. Broadcast times works ok for Aus/NZ but difficult if you were trying to promote Internationally due to time differences...

[Brute]

In the days of Stadiums Limited the Sydney fights were always on Monday and the Melbourne fights were on Friday.

If you check results you will find fights held in various countries on weekdays, as well as several American states.

Both Clay/Ali v. Liston fights were on Tuesday.

[oliverfennell]

If you check results you will find fights held in various countries on weekdays, as well as several American states.

Yeah of course, but the BIG fights are almost always on weekends. I can't remember the last PPV-level fight that took place in the US or Europe on a weekday.

[Brute]

If you check results you will find fights held in various countries on weekdays, as well as several American states.

Yeah of course, but the BIG fights are almost always on weekends. I can't remember the last PPV-level fight that took place in the US or Europe on a weekday.

Not my problem. I can remember Tyson fights being on during the week. We would watch them in pubs at lunchtime.

[adamheight]

Sure?

[dberry]

I don't recall seeing any Tyson fights live on weekdays, particularly the later ones, I'm not so sure about the early ones though as it was some time ago. What day did he fight Buster Dougless on?

[Brute]

Sunday. Same day of the week Japan attacked Pearl Harbour.

My father served in New Guinea during WWII. He said the Japanese usually bombed on Sundays. "The better the day, the better the deed" he would say.

I was talking about Tyson's real career, not the washed up jailbird.

[adamheight]

yeah u r right, a lot of tysons early fights were wednesdays and thursdays. but y were they showing his early fights live in australian pubs?

[Marlin]

once upon a time boxing was more mainstream here...

[Brute]

yeah u r right, a lot of tysons early fights were wednesdays and thursdays. but y were they showing his early fights live in australian pubs?

People would come in to watch the fights and drink beer.

[Hounddawg]

Tyson was mainstream worldwide.

[Brute]

Tyson was mainstream worldwide.

You have to remember he had a meteoric rise. He beat Berbick for the WBC title when he was only 20.

[oliverfennell]

Sunday. Same day of the week Japan attacked Pearl Harbour.

My father served in New Guinea during WWII. He said the Japanese usually bombed on Sundays. "The better the day, the better the deed" he would say.

I was talking about Tyson's real career, not the washed up jailbird.

Which is why I said "I can't remember" the last time there was such a big fight on a weekday. You're going back more than 20 years!

[Brute]

Can't help your youth. Getting back to Harrison, is Haye joking, giving him a shot at his WBA title?

[oliverfennell]

We'll find out tomorrow, apparently.