Freddie Flintoff vs Richard Dawson

[lillywhite14]

"Fight fixing" happens to a degree on almost every bill that takes place in boxing these days!

A decent ticket selling prospect of say, 7-0 is fighting a "journeyman" of say, 6-4-20 who has taken the fight at a couple of weeks notice. The ref scoring the fight, the opponent and the prospect all know what is expected. If it's close, or in some cases, even if its not, the prospect gets the nod, the opponents job is to give the prospect a work out and keep him busy and sharpen his skills. The prospect is out to look good and go for the win in a certain fashion etc etc. Prospect gets the win, his fans are happy, he moves on, the journeyman gets paid and hopefully doesn't get stopped so he can be out again within the next few weeks. Everyone is happy with the nights work and on they go.

Is no different to what will happen with Flintoff. His opponent will know his role in the proceedings. To lose, provide a bit of a work out for Freddie and pick up his dough.

[JLP]

"Fight fixing" happens to a degree on almost every bill that takes place in boxing these days!

I know all that. It seemed from your earlier posts that you were implying Barry wouldn't allow Freddie to get fed to the wolves, or certainly wouldn't be a part of it, and the opponent would know his role, which you wrote would be to lose. So are you suggesting that Barry McGuigan would help organise a fixed fight? I'm not so sure.

Edit. The point I'm trying to make is that if I were the unbeaten Richard Dawson and a TV production company had offered to pay me to lose a boxing match against a British sporting icon, I'd be straight onto the phone to the British tabloids to get the best deal I could for selling my story. For that reason alone, I just can't see it being as blatant a fix as you are making out.

[Andrew]

Just watched the part on ringside with Flintoff. He said he doesn't plan for it to be a one off. Put him in with Audley if he wins

[broomy7s]

I thought the point of the programme was to show how tough boxing is. So really I don't think it matters if he wins.

[markfightoptions]

Whos promoting this bill?

[WildWaylon]

I dont see the point of all this. Where is he going and what is his future in boxing? He will draw a crowd, thats for sure, but I cant see him winning the British title, maybe area if he is lucky.

[Finch]

He could be fighting Mike Tyson, it wouldn't matter.

His opponent will know his role in this. To lose.

I fear this could be the case, but i really hope it isnt. Anyone with their own self respect wouldnt, would they....?

Depends on how many pound notes are being waived in front of you.

[Rockys gum shield]

You could tell Joe Gallagher wanted to vent his anger at this fight on Ringside, I think he did well to hold himself back on the subject.

Freak show, bad for boxing.

[Ratchet Exits Nu]

Andrew Flintoff is expected to make his professional boxing debut against two-fight novice Richard Dawson, Sportsmail can exclusively reveal.


The 23-year-old heavyweight from Oklahoma remains undefeated but has fought just five rounds in total since his first bout in February.


The American’s promoters expect to receive the contract later on Friday ahead of the fight on November 30 at the Manchester Arena.
Dawson’s first opponent Jimmy Lane retired on his stool after the first of four scheduled rounds before he was declared the unanimous winner against Jamell Williams in August. Both boxers were deducted points for holding in what was a dull contest which should give Flintoff hope.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing ... z2Bk7nYADe
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Someone should show TYSON some of the footage from Ringside where Barry McGuigan is slagging him off. DD

I honestly believe Barry is doing this for the £s and publicity. Flintoff on the pads is dreadful.

[Wales]

I dont see the point of all this. Where is he going and what is his future in boxing? He will draw a crowd, thats for sure, but I cant see him winning the British title, maybe area if he is lucky.

Be lucky after only 6months of training to win a fight never mind area title! How many guys take up as an amateur and win a fight after 6/12 months? From experience its amazing how much goes out the window once you start getting tired.... If dawson comes to win, he will! 100% sure of that.

[Mimmy]

I'm under the impression that this fight is a one off, and flintoff will go on to be a pro in another sport, maybe football. I'm not sure but i'm sure that's what ive heard.

[Coco]

I see he is only doing 4x2's which is sensible, maybe doing 3x1.5's would be better

[CharlesListon]

34 isnt he? Amateur is 36 isnt it? Not sure on either of those statements mind[/quote]


Its 34 in Wales at leat, thats a fact.

A journalist named David Matthews spent ages training as a boxer to get a pro license and have a one off fight. 'Looking For a Fight' is the book he wrote about it and in fairness it is a very honest, very good read.

He had problems gettting licensed and had to do assessed sparring.

He was trained by the great Howard Rainey, up in Sheffield and lost on points over six to Matt Scriven, when Matt had undertaken about twelve bouts. He got put down en route to the loss.

I'm a bit dubious as to why Barry McGuigan has so eagerly thrown his weight behind Freddie. The whole thing is a publicity stunt for money. And I bet a pound to a pinch of shit that the Dawson will turn out to be the lad KO'd by Kimbo Slice and not the other guy. Even if it is the other guy, money talks and the opponent will know which side his bread is buttered.

This fight isnt for boxing people. Its for Mainstream TV. Its for publicity. Its to raise profiles. Whether it harms boxing in the long run is debatable. It may garner some interest from those not usually interested and potentially gain a few new fans. Alternativley, it may show boxing up, particularly if Freddie looks great. it may give a flase impression of how hard the sport is.

Either way, in the long run all this wont make a blind bit of difference and will be forgotten this time next year.

Its given us all something to talk about....which is what the TV execs wanted.

[lillywhite14]

I'm under the impression that this fight is a one off, and flintoff will go on to be a pro in another sport, maybe football. I'm not sure but i'm sure that's what ive heard.

You can't really blag your way in football though.

CharlesListon, nail on the head.

[Mimmy]

I'm under the impression that this fight is a one off, and flintoff will go on to be a pro in another sport, maybe football. I'm not sure but i'm sure that's what ive heard.

You can't really blag your way in football though.

CharlesListon, nail on the head.

its not really a publicity stunt as such as this is reality tv. one fight for this programme which will show how people get into boxing, the training involved and the dedication needed. I think Freddie will lose the fight, purely to show this game is not for everyone and the likes of cricketers cannot just change sports in hope that they are the next great white hope. Also we are all bulling this up too much, Ricky Gervais fought Grant Bovey in the ring for charity, that took lots of training and dedication but neither went on to become pro's.

There is nothing wrong in this fight. Freddie will only fight once, and lets face it the opponent is not Mike Tyson so everyone is a winner, we will watch the programme and proberly like it, seeing Freddie get up at 5am to run the streets, go to the gym change his diet etc etc. It will show us how guys who want to become pros have to adapt to that way of life, not just for one fight but for the next 10, 15 years.