Trouble at the Boxing

[freddydoesdallas]

It's gone off quite badly on a few high profile events (TV wise) in this country. At the Magnificent 7 in Birmingham and at last nights Prizefighter tournament. There was also trouble at Wembley arena bill headlined by Cleverly & Mitchell last Feb and the Munroe bill in Coventry. These were not small scuffles, they were big scraps that had been building up with goading between fans which security ignored and when they went off it took around 10-15 minutes for it to be calmed down. There are a lot of women and children there, not to mention normal fellas who just want to watch the boxing and not get involved with morons.

These are just examples of the bills i've been to in the last year so it could be just isolated to these ones as i went to a couple of smaller ones and nothing happened.

I think the promoters need to start looking into this more carefully. I know it's near impossible to segregate fans but a highly visible security team might help rather than just looking like stewards. My wife was with me last night and she's been to a lot of shows with me over the last couple of years and she's had enough and doesn't want to go to anymore

[n1ebf]

the boxers are on peanuts for the most part. Promoters make a loss on small hall jobs generally speaking...nobody's gonna pay security. Even the big shows where you've got stink jobs like David Haye getting rich the security id fcking abysmal.
Under no, no circumstances whatsoever would I take my Mrs to a big show any more.

[1southpaw]

what happened at prizefighter mate ???

[bripez]

Boxing is already a minority sport (whether we like it or not) and this kind of trouble needs to be stopped now before it does any harm.

Apart from putting people off attending shows, I can't imagine ITV or sponsors wanting to take the risk of being associated with a major kick off.

[freddydoesdallas]

I think it was scouse & manc fans from the sounds of the songs. All started before the Smyth Edwards fights with them both directing songs at each other, Smyth got stopped and then all hell broke loose for about 10 mins. A lot of heavy shots were being landed on people and a lot were cut & bleeding etc. Security were non-existent for a while then really outnumbered. Someone posted a vid in the prizefighter spoiler thread.

I know it's an expense but the halls & arena's are becoming more and more family orientated and won't want to be associated with all of this. Will only lead to the venue hire costs increasing

[Spud]

At the bigger venues the security outside of ringside is normally provided by the venue as part of the fee for supplying the venue in the first place and as such its their responsibility to quell the trouble.

The problem is the distribution/allocation of the tickets which is the promoters job and that is difficult to keep rival factions apart.

[whiskey]

what happened at prizefighter mate ???

I heard security where getting a kicking.

Then Chisora whipped his hoody off and waded in to help them out which was good of him, as there were plenty of regular folk trapped amongst the aggro.

[freddydoesdallas]

That maybe the case currently but it's not working and the promoters need to sort it before it really starts having an effect on the gates.

I've listed 4 venues which were all inept and this is the promoters livelihood so they need to be thinking about their future. Khan is at the MEN next and if it is to be Murray, a lot of people on here are expecting trouble. Do you think this will be in the venues thoughts or should the promoter be telling the venue about the possibility?

[rpms]

Is Smythe from a "travelling" background by any chance?

[philipgill]

Is Smythe from a "travelling" background by any chance?

Na Joe is just a popular guy sold over 300 tickets.

[llamalew]

Been to quite a few shows small and large in the past few years, horrible scenes at the mag 7 on Birmingham and that was due to inept security. Went the mag 7 return in Liverpool and gotta say what an excellent show it was. Massive security presence everywhere u looked and you where allowed to drink in arena which I found very strange as I was under the impression alcohol was banned by the bbbofc in all arenas, but even tho alcohol was being consumed by everyone there was very little trouble at all. Think security should be at this level at big shows due to the amount of football fan dickheads that attend the larger shows. Kahn Barrera at the men was disgusting scouse and manc hooligans offering on everyone nearby even with lots of women and children about.

[Atom Bomb]

what happened at prizefighter mate ???

I heard security where getting a kicking.

Then Chisora whipped his hoody off and waded in to help them out which was good of him, as there were plenty of regular folk trapped amongst the aggro.

Wow, that actually true about Chisora, I always thought he was a bit short on brain cells.

[Spud]

I think we are being overly alarmist concerning trouble at these events.

The promoter is more than aware of potential trouble and they try their best to inform the bigger venues of potential hotspots.

Sometimes we do have a habit on boxrec of scaremongering and this thread is I feel in my opinion one of those circumstances.

Yes there are some unsavoury incidents at events but you can get them anywhere where there are large public gatherings where people are intent on causing trouble.

Overall I think the promoters in this country do an excellent job in issuing warnings to the security to do their jobs - maybe the venue should employ appropriate people instead of some fat arsed **** with big tits with zits all over her face who cant do f*ck all - or some old age pensioner who is working but has just been issued their zimmer frame.

[LeedsLad]

There was a few minor incidents at the Smith/DeGale show..... a few people had had too many beers and started kicking off on the opposite side of the arena to where we were sat.

Closer to me the worst thing I recall was people chucking drinks over each other, kinda bizarre really.

[TerribleTerry]

I think we are being overly alarmist concerning trouble at these events.

Disagree here Spud - random and widespread violence at boxing's showcase events is a big problem that promoters and venues need to get a grip on.

I go to shows with groups of mates who are all young enough and handy enough not to be concerned by the coked up 'hardmen' in the crowd, but what about those who want to take wives/girlfriends/kids? What about older fight fans? Why should these people have to put up with an atmosphere that could turn very nasty, very quickly?

I go to MMA and martial arts shows too but the atmosphere is totally different - in 15 odd years I have seen one big brawl at martial arts show. Boxing has a very specific and very prominent problem with large scale crowd violence; I am not talking about two drunks swinging at each other by the bar.

My brother brought 2 lads to the mag 7 show in Brum - it was their first live show even though they regularly watch the big fights on TV. I remarked on the way to the arena that it can get pretty lively at big shows with large groups from different cities. I can still remember watching the colour drain from their faces as the blues and cardiff fans fought in the block next to ours. They wanted to leave straight away but I convinced them to stop on.

The talk from them on the way home and the days following was the about the crowd violence not the cracking bill that we had seen.

Those 2 lads in their twenties won't be coming back for a second dose of live boxing.

It's a problem promoters and venues must find an answer to if the sport is to grow and develop in the future.

[n1ebf]

- maybe the venue should employ appropriate people instead of some fat arsed **** with big tits with zits all over her face who cant do f*ck all.

women eh?? ...what do they know about security anyway. Most ring action she'd see all night would be getting smashed as well I suppose eh??

[n1ebf]

. Kahn Barrera at the men was disgusting scouse and manc hooligans offering on everyone nearby even with lots of women and children about.

i enjoyed that show altho I did see some total fcking tw*ts knocking about and chavs and skinheads walking around, one with a bloodied nose altho not seated near me. I was sat equi-distance between Bradley Pryce's mam and some fcking bell ends rooting for Matthew Hall......"fcking kill him Matty...fking kill him!!!"......low life scum. I felt sorry for Pryce's mam.

[Final round]

It seems everytime there's a big event recently there seems to be some trouble.

Better off as an armchair fan if it means sitting next to a group of wankers.

[Spud]

I think we are being overly alarmist concerning trouble at these events.

Disagree here Spud - random and widespread violence at boxing's showcase events is a big problem that promoters and venues need to get a grip on.

I go to shows with groups of mates who are all young enough and handy enough not to be concerned by the coked up 'hardmen' in the crowd, but what about those who want to take wives/girlfriends/kids? What about older fight fans? Why should these people have to put up with an atmosphere that could turn very nasty, very quickly?

I go to MMA and martial arts shows too but the atmosphere is totally different - in 15 odd years I have seen one big brawl at martial arts show. Boxing has a very specific and very prominent problem with large scale crowd violence; I am not talking about two drunks swinging at each other by the bar.

My brother brought 2 lads to the mag 7 show in Brum - it was their first live show even though they regularly watch the big fights on TV. I remarked on the way to the arena that it can get pretty lively at big shows with large groups from different cities. I can still remember watching the colour drain from their faces as the blues and cardiff fans fought in the block next to ours. They wanted to leave straight away but I convinced them to stop on.

The talk from them on the way home and the days following was the about the crowd violence not the cracking bill that we had seen.

Those 2 lads in their twenties won't be coming back for a second dose of live boxing.

It's a problem promoters and venues must find an answer to if the sport is to grow and develop in the future.

Terry!!!

Boxing Fans and Football Fans are 2 of the samething whether we like it or not - sometimes a promoter will not put a show on in a particular city unless the team from that city or affiliated to the boxer is playing at home - in fact I know of at least 3 promoters in the 4 weeks leading up to a show get a team to go to the ground to hand out flyers and getting a boxer onto the football pitch at half time is also common occurance now as well.

The "banter" or "abuse" has always been there and always will be - yes I have seen isolated incidents and the odd punch here and there thrown but those incidents have been dealt with accordingly.

I honestly do not think boxing is any worse than a lot of public gatherings.

[rhino222]

- maybe the venue should employ appropriate people instead of some fat arsed **** with big tits with zits all over her face who cant do f*ck all.

women eh?? ...what do they know about security anyway. Most ring action she'd see all night would be getting smashed as well I suppose eh??

with spud hanging out of the back of her...lol.... and hey, spud, what is wrong with big tits!!!!!! ....

[n1ebf]

- maybe the venue should employ appropriate people instead of some fat arsed **** with big tits with zits all over her face who cant do f*ck all.

women eh?? ...what do they know about security anyway. Most ring action she'd see all night would be getting smashed as well I suppose eh??

with spud hanging out of the back of her...lol.... and hey, spud, what is wrong with big tits!!!!!! ....

I was winding him up by comparing him to Gray and Keys....there's plenty of inept male security employees out there too guaranteed.

[Spud]

women eh?? ...what do they know about security anyway. Most ring action she'd see all night would be getting smashed as well I suppose eh??

with spud hanging out of the back of her...lol.... and hey, spud, what is wrong with big tits!!!!!! ....

I was winding him up by comparing him to Gray and Keys....there's plenty of inept male security employees out there too guaranteed.

Would boxrec please accept my most sincere apologies especially the fat arsed **** with big tits with zits all over her face!!!

Its inexcusable for me to be so politically incorrect and insensitive - maybe boxing should open up schools of excellence for fans to become a tadge more posh by shouting "punch him on the nose young man ... golly what a good shot!!!

F*ck off and get real!!! - boxing is a great sport and like any other it has its undesirables but its no worse than any other.

[Final round]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCE7ttR0Hzs

There's some 'highlights' from last night...........

[BillyTKid]

I was surprised the big black security guard was so brave.......probably not even getting £100 for the night. I hope Hearn bunged him ££ for his troubles.

[TerribleTerry]

I think we are being overly alarmist concerning trouble at these events.

Disagree here Spud - random and widespread violence at boxing's showcase events is a big problem that promoters and venues need to get a grip on.

I go to shows with groups of mates who are all young enough and handy enough not to be concerned by the coked up 'hardmen' in the crowd, but what about those who want to take wives/girlfriends/kids? What about older fight fans? Why should these people have to put up with an atmosphere that could turn very nasty, very quickly?

I go to MMA and martial arts shows too but the atmosphere is totally different - in 15 odd years I have seen one big brawl at martial arts show. Boxing has a very specific and very prominent problem with large scale crowd violence; I am not talking about two drunks swinging at each other by the bar.

My brother brought 2 lads to the mag 7 show in Brum - it was their first live show even though they regularly watch the big fights on TV. I remarked on the way to the arena that it can get pretty lively at big shows with large groups from different cities. I can still remember watching the colour drain from their faces as the blues and cardiff fans fought in the block next to ours. They wanted to leave straight away but I convinced them to stop on.

The talk from them on the way home and the days following was the about the crowd violence not the cracking bill that we had seen.

Those 2 lads in their twenties won't be coming back for a second dose of live boxing.

It's a problem promoters and venues must find an answer to if the sport is to grow and develop in the future.

Terry!!!

Boxing Fans and Football Fans are 2 of the samething whether we like it or not - sometimes a promoter will not put a show on in a particular city unless the team from that city or affiliated to the boxer is playing at home - in fact I know of at least 3 promoters in the 4 weeks leading up to a show get a team to go to the ground to hand out flyers and getting a boxer onto the football pitch at half time is also common occurance now as well.

The "banter" or "abuse" has always been there and always will be - yes I have seen isolated incidents and the odd punch here and there thrown but those incidents have been dealt with accordingly.

I honestly do not think boxing is any worse than a lot of public gatherings.

The difference between boxing and football though Spud is that football has cleaned up its game and you CAN take the missus and kids to the football.

I was at Blues v West Ham in the week (what a game!) - it was a night game in the cup between 2 sides with 'reputations' but there was no nasty atmosphere in the ground or threat of violence. The lads who wanted to fight each other had to do it outside the ground and in the nearby pubs - it has cost millions but football is on top of the hooligan problem.

Boxing venues are a unregulated meeting ground where hooligans can fight in the stands to their hearts content: I don't think promoters can afford the sort of measures needed to stamp it out so the public has to put up with edgy and threatening atmospheres at the sports leading shows.

It's a sad reality of the sport but I wouldn't take my wife and kids to a boxing show whereas I wouldn't think twice about taking them to a football match between notorious teams...