Is Anthony Joshua the most popular British boxer of all time?

[Mimmy]

He has solely sold out Wembley with a crowd of 90K and could be more in attendance if they release more tickets but has any other British boxer come close to sell out a stadium of 90K+ by himself.

Carl Froch and Groves sold 80 thousand tickets but before it was sold out but Anthony Joshua was also on the bill early on so I cannot imagine Froch and Groves did the selling entirely themselves James Degale also had a decent following so I would imagine he was also responsible for a good amount of tickets.

As there is no one else on the Wembley bill apart from Katie Taylor you have to give all credit to AJ for selling out Wembley single handedly.

So any other boxer done better than AJ or is he truly the most popular British boxer of all time?

[Nightmare Roy]

I think Big Frank was more popular

[Mimmy]

I think Big Frank was more popular

There was only 23k at Wembley for Bruno v McCall. So while popular not as popular as AJ.

[tobyh5]

No

[Covfefe]

I think Big Frank was more popular

There was only 23k at Wembley for Bruno v McCall. So while popular not as popular as AJ.

Only if you define popularity based on ticket sales. Twenty years ago everybody knew who Frank was, I can't say the same for Joshua yet.

[Boxerbeetle]

He's certainly the biggest ticket/PPV seller that I can recall, the casuals love him.

But in terms of overall popularity with the general public, I think Bruno and Hatton were more successful. And I certainly can't imagine Joshua taking an army of fans abroad like Hatton did.

[boxingknockout]

Casual, possibly, hardcore - no way

[Mimmy]

I think Big Frank was more popular

There was only 23k at Wembley for Bruno v McCall. So while popular not as popular as AJ.

Only if you define popularity based on ticket sales. Twenty years ago everybody knew who Frank was, I can't say the same for Joshua yet.

So why did Bruno only sell 23K? surely if demand was high more tickets would have become available. Bruno was a 'god' if you like with the public but he obviously couldnt sell a huge amount of tickets.

[Covfefe]

There was only 23k at Wembley for Bruno v McCall. So while popular not as popular as AJ.

Only if you define popularity based on ticket sales. Twenty years ago everybody knew who Frank was, I can't say the same for Joshua yet.

So why did Bruno only sell 23K? surely if demand was high more tickets would have become available. Bruno was a 'god' if you like with the public but he obviously couldnt sell a huge amount of tickets.

Popularity isn't just judged on ticket sales. Most people in the street couldn't name Joshua in a line up, in Bruno's day he was as popular as you can get and he was never a world champion till the end of his career or a gold medalist. His level of popularity is unheard of today.

[crusader]

So was Froch more popular than Hatton, mimmy?

[Mimmy]

So was Froch more popular than Hatton, mimmy?

I wouldnt say so no. In my opinion Hatton was a more popular boxer. But Froch did not sell all those tickets.

[crusader]

But he headlined a card that did 25k more than Hatton's biggest attendance number, and going by your posts that seems to be your lone criterion for popularity.

Also, if the 90k were just about AJ why hasn't he been doing nearly the same numbers for previous fights? Did he get a sudden boost of popularity for beating Eric Molina? I don't think who his opponent is should be dismissed....

[Mimmy]

But he headlined a card that did 25k more than Hatton's biggest attendance number, and going by your posts that seems to be your lone criterion for popularity.

sorry im just trying to figure out if Joshua is the most popular boxer of all time in England based on his ability to sell tickets at a vast amount. so I have to say its popularity as people just dont buy tickets for events if you dont like the person on stage. I would never buy a ticket to see little mix even though they are fit lasses.

Im not trying to be clever or anything just trying to figure it out as hes sold out Wembley by himself.

[dr_devious]

Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno are the all time most popular British boxers

[Mimmy]

But he headlined a card that did 25k more than Hatton's biggest attendance number, and going by your posts that seems to be your lone criterion for popularity.

Also, if the 90k were just about AJ why hasn't he been doing nearly the same numbers for previous fights? Did he get a sudden boost of popularity for beating Eric Molina? I don't think who his opponent is should be dismissed....

If he was fighting at bigger venues im sure he would have sold more tickets, its the venue sizes that have been the issue on ticket sales.

[crusader]

But he headlined a card that did 25k more than Hatton's biggest attendance number, and going by your posts that seems to be your lone criterion for popularity.

Also, if the 90k were just about AJ why hasn't he been doing nearly the same numbers for previous fights? Did he get a sudden boost of popularity for beating Eric Molina? I don't think who his opponent is should be dismissed....

If he was fighting at bigger venues im sure he would have sold more tickets, its the venue sizes that have been the issue on ticket sales.

Why haven't they been getting those bigger venues for him if he has the popularity to fill them without consideration of other fighters (whether his opponent or those on the undercard)? Wouldn't it mean significantly more $$$ to have much bigger attendance numbers?

[crusader]

But he headlined a card that did 25k more than Hatton's biggest attendance number, and going by your posts that seems to be your lone criterion for popularity.

sorry im just trying to figure out if Joshua is the most popular boxer of all time in England based on his ability to sell tickets at a vast amount. so I have to say its popularity as people just dont buy tickets for events if you dont like the person on stage. I would never buy a ticket to see little mix even though they are fit lasses.

Im not trying to be clever or anything just trying to figure it out as hes sold out Wembley by himself.

I strongly disagree that people don't by tickets if they don't like the fighter. I think many people go just for the big event feeling, and perhaps some even go because they hope they can see a particular fighter beaten.

[Mimmy]

But he headlined a card that did 25k more than Hatton's biggest attendance number, and going by your posts that seems to be your lone criterion for popularity.

Also, if the 90k were just about AJ why hasn't he been doing nearly the same numbers for previous fights? Did he get a sudden boost of popularity for beating Eric Molina? I don't think who his opponent is should be dismissed....

If he was fighting at bigger venues im sure he would have sold more tickets, its the venue sizes that have been the issue on ticket sales.

Why haven't they been getting those bigger venues for him if he has the popularity to fill them without consideration of other fighters (whether his opponent or those on the undercard)? Wouldn't it mean significantly more $$$ to have much bigger attendance numbers?

I see your point and possibly yes, but there are no bigger venues, indoors in the UK are there. Which venue in the UK has the biggest seat capacity, im not talking about stadiums as I doubt anyone could fill 90K every 3 months and especially early on in their career.

[Mimmy]

But he headlined a card that did 25k more than Hatton's biggest attendance number, and going by your posts that seems to be your lone criterion for popularity.

sorry im just trying to figure out if Joshua is the most popular boxer of all time in England based on his ability to sell tickets at a vast amount. so I have to say its popularity as people just dont buy tickets for events if you dont like the person on stage. I would never buy a ticket to see little mix even though they are fit lasses.

Im not trying to be clever or anything just trying to figure it out as hes sold out Wembley by himself.

I strongly disagree that people don't by tickets if they don't like the fighter. I think many people go just for the big event feeling, and perhaps some even go because they hope they can see a particular fighter beaten.

I agree with that, I only ever went to see Eubank Sr to hopefully see him get beat. But he was a totally different enigma.

[Nightmare Roy]

As for ticket sales things have changed regarding promotion and entertainment, you get comics selling out the O2 night after night, would never of happened 25 years ago.

[CaptainSpacerod]

As for ticket sales things have changed regarding promotion and entertainment, you get comics selling out the O2 night after night, would never of happened 25 years ago.

I agree with this point.

And also society has changed. Back in Bruno's day the crowds at live sports events were overwhelmingly male with the possible exception of Wimbledon. Nowadays a lot more women are interested in sport and this is reflected in the crowds.

Technology also helps. Back then if you wanted a ticket to a big event you had to go to the box office and possibly queue for hours to get a ticket, now you just click a couple of buttons on your phone so the casual fan is far more likely to attend.

Bruno is undoubtedly the most popular boxer in my time. Older fans would maybe argue that our 'enry was more popular. I don't think AJ is in that league yet.

[Crease]

Is AnthonyJoshua the most popular British boxer of all time?

He has solely sold out Wembley with a crowd of 90K and could be more in attendance if they release more tickets

First off, there won't be any more than 90,000 in attendance, they have to think about the transport system & the roads - it isn't just a matter of lumping as many in as they can.

It actually took Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London himself to sign for them to increase the quota to 90 thousand. I can't seem him doing it again & putting more strain on the redidents' and the transport network.

As for who was the most popular British boxer of all time, the accolade has to go to either Ricky Hatton or Henry Cooper.
Both men were loved by the masses.

[mickey1975]

No. Hatton was much more popular, Bruno and McGuigan were national treasures. I've been to an early AJ fight in Manchester, I'd be surprised if he'd actually sold any tickets. He's been well promoted, but it's not just him selling this fight, Wlad is a big name. Ricky v Floyd could have sold 500,000 tickets in England if there was anywhere big enough. And DeGale doesn't have a following, not of note, anyway.

[freddydoesdallas]

No. Hatton was much more popular, Bruno and McGuigan were national treasures. I've been to an early AJ fight in Manchester, I'd be surprised if he'd actually sold any tickets. He's been well promoted, but it's not just him selling this fight, Wlad is a big name. Ricky v Floyd could have sold 500,000 tickets in England if there was anywhere big enough. And DeGale doesn't have a following, not of note, anyway.

I agree with mickey.

Eddie Hearn has cast a spell over the casual market. Ask them about any non-hearn fight and you'll get a gormless look in return. Ask them about a Hearn fighter and they're the best, a legend etc.

I'm going to this fight to see Wlad and see my first heavyweight world title fight. He may not have been the most entertaining fighter but wlad did dominate the division for a good decade

[samwbr]

Even your grandma knew Henry cooper and frank Bruno.