Boxing News Editorial this week

[dalcumly]

Matt Christie quite rightly illustrates the amount and level of mismatches on British soil over the last few years, particularly in relation to Eastern European visitors. The figures from 2015 alone are startling. Would . for example, Man Utd fans accept a 3 year unbeaten run if the opponents at Old Trafford every fortnight were the likes of Chesterfield, Morecambe and Newport County?

But another issue sprung to mind when I read the article, and I have attended dozens of shows over the years. When a 'new' professional steps into the ring they are usually a bit 'cagey' for the first couple of fights. But, once they start to realise the opposition is hopeless and don't fight back there is a tendency to throw caution to the wind and storm forward throwing wide hooks with no regard to defence. They lose the ability to defend and are simply unable to fight on the back foot. You see this when the boxer steps up a level and the opponent stands his ground. You can actually see the shock/confusion on their face.

[mickey1975]

Watch the GB elites on the red button this weekend for every fight being even and at top ten uk pro standard.

[keirw]

I don't mind it so much with prospects that are gradually going through the levels.

But I hate to see British/Euro/fringe world class fighters put in 'tune ups' against journeymen types, it benefits nobody.

[Counter-puncher]

Watch the GB elites on the red button this weekend for every fight being even and at top ten uk pro standard.

what time/day is that mate?

[milpool]

There are a lot of tough British journeymen out there that can give a prospect some decent rounds. However, they are seldom used and that can only be because the eastern European punchbag is a lot cheaper and gives the prospect a few stoppages on his record.
It's rare you see a William Warburton put in with one of Eddie or Fwank's young prospects these days, the more durable British journeyman seem to be making their living fighting the lesser known prospects on small hall shows.

[dbflex]

There are a lot of tough British journeymen out there that can give a prospect some decent rounds. However, they are seldom used and that can only be because the eastern European punchbag is a lot cheaper and gives the prospect a few stoppages on his record.
It's rare you see a William Warburton put in with one of Eddie or Fwank's young prospects these days, the more durable British journeyman seem to be making their living fighting the lesser known prospects on small hall shows.

It's not just because they are cheaper. If you manage or promote a big ticket-seller and are relying on him both winning and looking good to keep his mates/fans flocking in, then you will not use a good UK journeyman who might expose flaws or, worse still, upset the odds. Small-hall promoters can often be found bemoaning a prospect's team rejecting decent opposition, frustrating for them too.

[mickey1975]

Watch the GB elites on the red button this weekend for every fight being even and at top ten uk pro standard.

what time/day is that mate?

On the website, started yesterday.

[milpool]

There are a lot of tough British journeymen out there that can give a prospect some decent rounds. However, they are seldom used and that can only be because the eastern European punchbag is a lot cheaper and gives the prospect a few stoppages on his record.
It's rare you see a William Warburton put in with one of Eddie or Fwank's young prospects these days, the more durable British journeyman seem to be making their living fighting the lesser known prospects on small hall shows.

It's not just because they are cheaper. If you manage or promote a big ticket-seller and are relying on him both winning and looking good to keep his mates/fans flocking in, then you will not use a good UK journeyman who might expose flaws or, worse still, upset the odds. Small-hall promoters can often be found bemoaning a prospect's team rejecting decent opposition, frustrating for them too.

That's a fair point. However, as a boxing fan it saddens me that I'm going to get served up more prospect v hopeless eastern European journeyman as opposed to prospect v wily old veteran journeyman who will offer far more by lasting the distance than being bombed out within a couple of minutes.
But I guess that's the business of the business...

[magnus]

As a boxing fan, I'd like all bouts to feature two fighters who want to win, intend to try and win, and who are capable of doing so. It seems that this is wildly unrealistic.

I know the two can't be always be directly compared, but in the last 18 months or so I've watched most UFC events and this has led me to feel even less enthusiasm when looking at boxing cards (I don't mean small hall stuff, I'm comparing UFC with the big promoters - Top Rank/Matchroom etc).

If you don't know what I mean by this, go on a betting site and compare Saturday nights UFC odds and the Copperbox card. See how much you'll get for a few quid accumulator on Selby, Degale, Dubois and Yarde in comparison to the four equivalent fights in Fresno.