Is the Fury v Parker going to be a hard sell?

[KiwiRider]

I know Parker has been in the UK for a day or so, are you locals getting any press coverage yet?
Someone needs to sell this fight
.....

No coverage whatsoever.

Wouldn't know there was a fight.

Parker was on Sky Sports today.
I only saw a photo of the interview
Anyone see it?

[BillW]

Postby stujones » Yesterday, 09:32
What's happened to that poster called "Hennessy Sports" who used to just post press releases and nothing else (no responses to questions).

Believe or not, I am actually tempted to purchase this because it is a bit of boxing history and I am intrigued by the youtube angle... always intrigued by new production teams / presenters.

But I have a load of questions that need answering.

1) - I am likely to be away from the house and will have a terrible / no internet connection that week.... is it going to be possible for those who order the fight to watch it in a delayed setting and the whole card.... so not as a live stream as such but as you would a youtube clip.

2) If the answer is no, is there going to be any repeat fees.

Surely not hard questions to answer.

I'm in New Zealand and also tempted to buy the fight.
But I'm worried that it might just be a live feed from Peter Fury's cell phone and he runs out of data halfway through.

[stujones]

It is ridiculous, perhaps it is my age - but Britain and the heavyweight championship is still a bit of a novelty. I remember when Lennox Lewis was awarded the WBC title from the rubbish bin and it made the 10 o Clock news and we all did our very best to claim Michael Bentt as British and the WBO as a legit belt back in those days, again this made national news and the back pages.

Here we have a chance for a Brit to actually win a version (and dare I say a proper version) of the Heavyweight title and not just any Brit, but Tyson Fury's cousin... this could be a promoters wet dream if done correctly. If this was the WWF you could imagine Joshua vs Hughie (which in itself could be hyped to a dream) and then if Joshua wins, big bad cousin calling out Joshua for family revenge.

If I was any British promoter (particularly Eddie Hearn) I would have made Hennessy an offer they could not refuse to get this fight. Hype it all they could - yes the gamble is if Hughie actually wins this fight.... but if Hughie does it could set up two of the biggest fights in British boxing history. If Hughie lost to Parker at least the british publicity of a well hyped Fury vs Parker fight would also help sell Parker vs Joshua.

Okay, so stage one has been done about as badly as you could possibly imaging - they priced themselves out of TV rights.... but even so, why can't Hennessy now answer the questions the boxing fans want to know about ordering the fight. GGG vs Canelo is a novelty in terms of its PPV provider - but allegedly seem to have answered any question and made the process straight forward. All Hennessy are showing is a youtube clip but not answering any important questions like repeat coverage etc.

[dirk2686]

Again though, Hughie and Tyson are never going to be a promoters wet dream. If there is one group in society that the general public dislikes more than any other it's travellers. Perhaps that can be seen as sad, but it's true. Add to that one of them is a bit of a loose cannon sexist/homophobic depressive, the other an acne-stricken mute, neither are particularly active and when they are their fights are boring. What exactly is the selling point here?

[stujones]

Again though, Hughie and Tyson are never going to be a promoters wet dream. If there is one group in society that the general public dislikes more than any other it's travellers. Perhaps that can be seen as sad, but it's true. Add to that one of them is a bit of a loose cannon sexist/homophobic depressive, the other an acne-stricken mute, neither are particularly active and when they are their fights are boring. What exactly is the selling point here?

Valid points - but when selling a "british world champion" vs Joshua there is an appeal. The WBO Heavyweight title in an era when the other main belt holder happens to be Anthony Joshua is the appealing factor. Yes, Joshua is currently a bit like a prime DLH in that he can sell huge numbers vs anyone - but there isn't a lot of truly appealing fights that can be sold as a competitive fight. Joshua vs Hughie for all the belts (except WBC) is one that could be appealing.... and have Tyson lurking adds to it IMO.

If Lennox Lewis and Herbie Hide were around in today's era - then a fight between the two would be about the biggest thing around in the Heavyweight division. However, obviously a different era and for Lennox there was enough quality in the States / Europe that was more demand than Herbie. The talent depth is so bad at Heavyweight right now that it is already feeling that Joshua is running out of options.

But they've already missed a big one by basically not promoting this fight.... we could have had Tyson coming out and banging on about how he is the most talented of the two etc - which would not only sell the Parker fight but a future Joshua fight. Could have had Joshua making analysis etc.... then Bellew being notorious at press conferences (he says he wants Parker).

[dirk2686]

Not sure Joshua is running out of options to be fair. He's not fought Wilder, Ortiz, Parker, Haye or Tyson yet. A combination of those five alone would see him all the way through to mid-2020 if he sticks at a two fights per year plan and keeps winning.

[dirk2686]

To add, Joshua v Hughie would sell (it's Joshua after all), but I'm not sure about it as a contest. My feeling towards that fight is that Joshua would just destroy him. The step up to Parker is massive - and Joshua is levels above him.

[stujones]

Not sure Joshua is running out of options to be fair. He's not fought Wilder, Ortiz, Parker, Haye or Tyson yet. A combination of those five alone would see him all the way through to mid-2020 if he sticks at a two fights per year plan and keeps winning.

Two of those IMO are a bit dodgy to if they will ever fight Joshua - Haye and Tyson... Haye for his injuries and just lost to Bellew and Tyson cos he is about 25 stone and unlicenced and Wilder / Ortiz will probably be cut down to one viable serious contender when they fight.

I would say for Joshua there are a few bands of options for him.

1 - Can fight him now and the fight is sellable for both fan and boxing critic.
Pulev, Ortz/Wilder, Parker/Hughie, Povetkin and Possibly Tyson Fury.

2 - Opponent needs to have one big victory to make it sellable and acceptable.
Whyte, Haye, Bellew (although really doubt Tony will fight him), Chisora, Miller - loser of the Parker / Fury and Ortiz / Wilder fights.

3 - In the background but way off the horizon.
Andre Ward, WSBB Cruiserweight champion, Joe Joyce.

[stujones]

To add, Joshua v Hughie would sell (it's Joshua after all), but I'm not sure about it as a contest. My feeling towards that fight is that Joshua would just destroy him. The step up to Parker is massive - and Joshua is levels above him.

Yes, that's true - I'm reserving judgement on Hughie until he fights Parker.

To be fair after only 1 fight in world class there is only 1 fighter currently who could give Joshua a fight and he's currently retired. I'm reserving my judgement on Fury - I think he has a long way to go before he steps into the ring... its almost like saying we were exited for Bowe vs Mike Tyson in 1993.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Not sure Joshua is running out of options to be fair. He's not fought Wilder, Ortiz, Parker, Haye or Tyson yet. A combination of those five alone would see him all the way through to mid-2020 if he sticks at a two fights per year plan and keeps winning.

To a degree, I think it doesn't matter, he's hugely popular, and after the fight with Wlad, he's going to be able to fill arenas for pretty mediocre fights for the next 3-4 contests.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Not sure Joshua is running out of options to be fair. He's not fought Wilder, Ortiz, Parker, Haye or Tyson yet. A combination of those five alone would see him all the way through to mid-2020 if he sticks at a two fights per year plan and keeps winning.

Two of those IMO are a bit dodgy to if they will ever fight Joshua - Haye and Tyson... Haye for his injuries and just lost to Bellew and Tyson cos he is about 25 stone and unlicenced and Wilder / Ortiz will probably be cut down to one viable serious contender when they fight.

I would say for Joshua there are a few bands of options for him.

1 - Can fight him now and the fight is sellable for both fan and boxing critic.
Pulev, Ortz/Wilder, Parker/Hughie, Povetkin and Possibly Tyson Fury.

2 - Opponent needs to have one big victory to make it sellable and acceptable.
Whyte, Haye, Bellew (although really doubt Tony will fight him), Chisora, Miller - loser of the Parker / Fury and Ortiz / Wilder fights.

3 - In the background but way off the horizon.
Andre Ward, WSBB Cruiserweight champion, Joe Joyce.

No way will Ward ever face Joshua, too big a weight gap, cruiserweight will be a big ask for Ward. Even RJJ only wanted to take on Ruiz, as he was perfect as an opponent, slow, plodding and predictable. Ward doesn't have RJJ's physical gifts, this fight is a pure fantasy. Doubt Joyce will get that far, he lacks power.

Haye will be gone for good more than likely. Fury, doubt we will see again. Winner of Wilder v Ortiz seems a good shout.

[dirk2686]

Not sure Joshua is running out of options to be fair. He's not fought Wilder, Ortiz, Parker, Haye or Tyson yet. A combination of those five alone would see him all the way through to mid-2020 if he sticks at a two fights per year plan and keeps winning.

Two of those IMO are a bit dodgy to if they will ever fight Joshua - Haye and Tyson... Haye for his injuries and just lost to Bellew and Tyson cos he is about 25 stone and unlicenced and Wilder / Ortiz will probably be cut down to one viable serious contender when they fight.

I would say for Joshua there are a few bands of options for him.

1 - Can fight him now and the fight is sellable for both fan and boxing critic.
Pulev, Ortz/Wilder, Parker/Hughie, Povetkin and Possibly Tyson Fury.

2 - Opponent needs to have one big victory to make it sellable and acceptable.
Whyte, Haye, Bellew (although really doubt Tony will fight him), Chisora, Miller - loser of the Parker / Fury and Ortiz / Wilder fights.

3 - In the background but way off the horizon.
Andre Ward, WSBB Cruiserweight champion, Joe Joyce.

Fair points, but my reasoning was really to show that Joshua doesn't really need to start worrying about a talent pool, as he's probably only going to have five fights before the end of 2019.

Pulev is one, winner of Parker Hughie can be another, as can winner of Ortiz Wilder. Then there's a time frame that allows one of the losers in those fights to get back into contention, and that without seeing what happens with Fury and Haye. So he may run out of options in a couple of years, but he's not really at that point now. And who knows what the scene will look like in three years.

[SteveO]

I'm sure some new names will surface in the next couple of years, also Oleksandr Usyk might move up to heavyweight. in that time.

[stujones]

Not sure Joshua is running out of options to be fair. He's not fought Wilder, Ortiz, Parker, Haye or Tyson yet. A combination of those five alone would see him all the way through to mid-2020 if he sticks at a two fights per year plan and keeps winning.

To a degree, I think it doesn't matter, he's hugely popular, and after the fight with Wlad, he's going to be able to fill arenas for pretty mediocre fights for the next 3-4 contests.

Yes I agree with both of you - BUT, I think it will be soon become fickle if he goes back down to the Charles Martin level's. In a way this Pulev fight as much as the Klitchsko fight has put him on a bit of a pedestal which means he's got to fight the best in the division. He could have easily gone "still got some learning to do" and fight the likes of Chisora at the O2 after.... but no there will be an expectation that he has to fight someone who can at least give it a good go and have a reasonable chance (not by any means starting favourite) - with Pulev and Klitchsko out of the way the options are quite limited... Povetkin? Parker/Fury? That is really about it to stick to the same level he is fighting at. Yes he can get away with a David Price at Anfield once in a while - but how many times before people start doing a Joshcott as they did with Roy Jones Jnr and to a lesser extent DLH in the 90s. The market can be fickle and US fans formed a Roy cott cos RJJ was fighting the reigning British, Commonwealth and Europan champion who had earned mandatory status.

Their on about February next, so it is probably not going to be Wilder vs Ortiz winner (if they fight in November). It will pretty much have to be Parker / Fury next to keep the momentum - and what a bigger fight that would have been had this fight been hyped better.

[stujones]

Not sure Joshua is running out of options to be fair. He's not fought Wilder, Ortiz, Parker, Haye or Tyson yet. A combination of those five alone would see him all the way through to mid-2020 if he sticks at a two fights per year plan and keeps winning.

Two of those IMO are a bit dodgy to if they will ever fight Joshua - Haye and Tyson... Haye for his injuries and just lost to Bellew and Tyson cos he is about 25 stone and unlicenced and Wilder / Ortiz will probably be cut down to one viable serious contender when they fight.

I would say for Joshua there are a few bands of options for him.

1 - Can fight him now and the fight is sellable for both fan and boxing critic.
Pulev, Ortz/Wilder, Parker/Hughie, Povetkin and Possibly Tyson Fury.

2 - Opponent needs to have one big victory to make it sellable and acceptable.
Whyte, Haye, Bellew (although really doubt Tony will fight him), Chisora, Miller - loser of the Parker / Fury and Ortiz / Wilder fights.

3 - In the background but way off the horizon.
Andre Ward, WSBB Cruiserweight champion, Joe Joyce.

No way will Ward ever face Joshua, too big a weight gap, cruiserweight will be a big ask for Ward. Even RJJ only wanted to take on Ruiz, as he was perfect as an opponent, slow, plodding and predictable. Ward doesn't have RJJ's physical gifts, this fight is a pure fantasy. Doubt Joyce will get that far, he lacks power.

Haye will be gone for good more than likely. Fury, doubt we will see again. Winner of Wilder v Ortiz seems a good shout.

I completely agree re Ward, but the division is so lacking in talent there will be a call for it if Ward can prove himself at Cruiserweight - personally I don't think he is a lightheavyweight.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think hes overachieving already at 175. Hed have to be very careful at cruiser if he intends to move up.

[crusader]

Ward would get fuccking splattered, although I'm sure some would pay to see it

He was already clearly feeling Kov's power at 175, and out of 19 completed rounds you can make a case that the supposedly limited Kov deserved just as many as Ward did. I don't think any current light heavyweight would beat Usyk, let alone a 6'6" 245 pound monster like AJ.

But hell, I wouldn't mind if Ward tried his luck

[samwbr]

Joshua would beat Usyk

[crusader]

I strongly agree. Usyk is too small and lacks the power to hold him off...

I think Usyk would have a great chance of beating the Fury-Parker winner though.

[Sklar]

@stujones

WWE comparisons aren't valid. WWE Superstars have charisma, the few who slip through the net that don't quickly find the work dries up.

I rate Hughie as a boxer but he is undeniably boring out of the ring and one for the purists in it. That combo doesn't sell.

I'm just looking at this one non-commercialy. If he wins he cements his place in history. Forget about the money on this occasion.

[Mimmy]

Only 6 fights confirmed and another 7 boxers without an opponent with only 8 days to go. I cannot see this being a long night to be honest. Those 7 fights that does not have an opponent I cannot see most of them happening. I cant see more than 8 or 9 fights on this bill and to be honest its not really a great card is it?

It goes to show that Hearn can put good fights on his cards such as the AJ defense in October.

[BigDoofus]

Again though, Hughie and Tyson are never going to be a promoters wet dream. If there is one group in society that the general public dislikes more than any other it's travellers. Perhaps that can be seen as sad, but it's true.

It's not true it's absolute garbage. What about people who commit atrocities in the name of religion?

[rd350lc]

Only 6 fights confirmed and another 7 boxers without an opponent with only 8 days to go. I cannot see this being a long night to be honest. Those 7 fights that does not have an opponent I cannot see most of them happening. I cant see more than 8 or 9 fights on this bill and to be honest its not really a great card is it?

It goes to show that Hearn can put good fights on his cards such as the AJ defense in October.

Pretty much spot on , as much as it pains me to say it fast car brings us the goods most of the time .

[Andrew]

Just looked on the seatmap on eventim. They've released more £40 tickets in each side.

Anyone going on the night with a £40 ticket will get upgraded I think. £40 tickets have probably sold ok where as the middle blocks have barely sold.

Arums comments of 3000 tickets sold is probably right, most of that will probably be undercard fighters.

[Boxerbeetle]

Just looked on the seatmap on eventim. They've released more £40 tickets in each side.

Anyone going on the night with a £40 ticket will get upgraded I think. £40 tickets have probably sold ok where as the middle blocks have barely sold.

Arums comments of 3000 tickets sold is probably right, most of that will probably be undercard fighters.

Total embarrassment.