Kingpin Out of Prizefighter

[ScottDetonator]

Just seen Michael Sprott on Sky Sports News announcing that Kevin 'Kingpin' Johnson has pulled out of Prizefighter on Saturday night. Sprott said that he has been replaced by a 6ft 10' Russian boxer, he said 6ft 10' at least? Anyone know who it could be?

Also, Sprott said that the winner of Prizefighter would be getting a World Title shot at the end of the year. Bring on Saturday night! Should be a cracker!

[crusader]

It's Evgeny Orlov

The winner of this tournament definitely doesn't deserve a world title shot. The three best fighters are no longer apart of it; it is more of a sideshow now.

[15829]

turned in to a joke really, started out good with oquendo gomez and johnson but with the pull outs it lacks name appeal hopefully its still a good night of fights

[keithmoonhangover]

I know I'm a sceptic, but I never thought that Johnson would do it. Damn shame IMHO.

I bet Eddie Hearn and the team have worked their arse off.

[boxingchat]

I wonder if this were an undercard whether they would accept it at Sky?

It's awful and the atmosphere will be crap

[WestEndRiot]

You have a point about the atmosphere, the only travelling fans that might be there are Sprott's.

[oliverfennell]

turned in to a joke really, started out good with oquendo gomez and johnson but with the pull outs it lacks name appeal hopefully its still a good night of fights

It could actually be a better night of fights. Sure, the loss of the three biggest names hurts the appeal/prestige, but think of it like this - it makes the quarter-finals harder to pick, and also bear in mind some of the best Prizefighters have been the ones of lesser pedigree - the first heavyweight one, first cruiserweights (that was a shocker on paper, full of journeymen and old dudes, but it was very dramatic), etc, while the one with the highest proportion of big names (the light-welter one that Rees won) had the least action.

[Old bones Ian]

I have a feeling this could be the first and last 'International' Prizefighter. Unless the format is sold to America

[Final round]

who next Tye Fields?

[leforge]

I know I'm a sceptic, but I never thought that Johnson would do it. Damn shame IMHO.

I bet Eddie Hearn and the team have worked their arse off.

He was giving it big in interviews must have had second thoughts. Gomez visa problems and Fred pullout understanding.

[Benelio]

I know I'm a sceptic, but I never thought that Johnson would do it. Damn shame IMHO.

I bet Eddie Hearn and the team have worked their arse off.

Yeah, you definitely can't blame the Hearns for any of the drop-outs. This kind of tournament can really help the heavyweight division. But getting two fighters to turn up is a tricky task on its own, so there's bound to be problems with eight of them.

Hopefully, if this Prizefighter does springboard the winner towards some kind of decent belt, then it'll raise the profile of the event for next year. It kind of already did so, to some extent, with Audley... but I guess a large part of him getting a title shot was the EBU belt and also being the same nationality of the champion. If this event can directly have some effect on the winners standing then suddenly all the guys with bigger names who turned down the event would be drawn back to it.

[keithmoonhangover]

I have a feeling this could be the first and last 'International' Prizefighter. Unless the format is sold to America

THere's a plan to do something in Australia, with Lennox Lewis commentating, I think. Can't remember the name of it for the life of me, but it has a website.

[stujones]

who next Tye Fields?

Didn't turn up on SSN - is he in town?

[crusader]

Hearn mentioned on his twitter account that he bumped into Fields in the hotel.

[stujones]

Just seen Michael Sprott on Sky Sports News announcing that Kevin 'Kingpin' Johnson has pulled out of Prizefighter on Saturday night. Sprott said that he has been replaced by a 6ft 10' Russian boxer, he said 6ft 10' at least? Anyone know who it could be?

Also, Sprott said that the winner of Prizefighter would be getting a World Title shot at the end of the year. Bring on Saturday night! Should be a cracker!

No chance will the winner of this get a world title fight. Wasn't Sprott told the same thing last time - its given him another Prizefighter - thats all.

[oliverfennell]

who next Tye Fields?

Didn't turn up on SSN - is he in town?

Yes, he's definitely there - done interviews and photo shoots.

[Final round]

who next Tye Fields?

Didn't turn up on SSN - is he in town?

Yes, he's definitely there - done interviews and photo shoots.

[deadpan]

'Tis a dark day when Tye Fields saves the tournament.

[Dan Dares]

I had a feeling Johnson would pull out. Has he given a reason? Maybe he thought it was 320K for the winner.

[Final round]

I had a feeling Johnson would pull out. Has he given a reason? Maybe he thought it was 320K for the winner.

He probably worked out the exchange rate on the way to the airport

[funso banjo baby]

predicted by me..way back when some idiot mentioned Rahman was doing it.

unfortunately....this is the first time i wont be going to a hw prizefighter

its getting like allegedly bills...nearly all the names you buy the ticket for tend to withdraw.

lets not forget , the last time we were promised a 'surprise big name wild card' ...... they eventually managed to provide


Teclan Timlin !!!!


its a dark day for Prizefighter

[deadpan]

x2

[mickey1975]

I wonder if this were an undercard whether they would accept it at Sky?

It's awful and the atmosphere will be crap

I got an email from Seconds out yesterday offering me 50% off tickets so am not expecting a great crowd.

[leforge]

Maintenance issues with ex could not leave USA I read on eastside. Still be better night than Gavin v lomax bill! For 60 quid tickets ringside that's not bad. I have 200 quid ticket for groves v degale can see Brahemer no showing I more worried about that show

[whiskey]

Cant blame Matchroom for not trying to make a special event.

They have tried to do something different & interesting - and in my mind it still is worth watching.