Matt Christie leaves Boxing News

[johninmanchester]

The Saudis have no intention of playing fair, it's not something they're known for. Last night's fight showed how much this country loves boxing, we don't even need anyone 'solving boxing'.

The second someone invents a tiny, powerful and removable battery for cars and machines, the Saudis will be stuck in the desert with nothing anyway. It can't be too far away.

The Arabs are well aware of this.

The founder of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid, was asked about the future of his country. He replied, "My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I ride a Mercedes, my son rides a Land Rover, and my grandson is going to ride a Land Rover…but my great-grandson is going to have to ride a camel again."

The Arabs will have made 100 X more than enough to live off their investments for eternity

As long as they don't waste all their money......

That's the point, I think. The sheikh in question was commenting on the ridiculous amounts of money being wasted on nonsense projects.

Luckily Saudi have got all that under control as they.... *waves hand in the direction of NOEM project*.... or not

[Ruthless-RKO]

The Arabs are well aware of this.

The founder of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid, was asked about the future of his country. He replied, "My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I ride a Mercedes, my son rides a Land Rover, and my grandson is going to ride a Land Rover…but my great-grandson is going to have to ride a camel again."

The Arabs will have made 100 X more than enough to live off their investments for eternity

As long as they don't waste all their money......

That's the point, I think. The sheikh in question was commenting on the ridiculous amounts of money being wasted on nonsense projects.

Luckily Saudi have got all that under control as they.... *waves hand in the direction of NOEM project*.... or not

Let's not forget the massive amount of money they make off pilgrims each year.. Hajj alone is once a year and they expect nearly 2 million a year..

[Deserter]

The Arabs are well aware of this.

The founder of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid, was asked about the future of his country. He replied, "My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I ride a Mercedes, my son rides a Land Rover, and my grandson is going to ride a Land Rover…but my great-grandson is going to have to ride a camel again."

The Arabs will have made 100 X more than enough to live off their investments for eternity

As long as they don't waste all their money......

That's the point, I think. The sheikh in question was commenting on the ridiculous amounts of money being wasted on nonsense projects.

Luckily Saudi have got all that under control as they.... *waves hand in the direction of NOEM project*.... or not

Just for the sake of clarity, Sheikh Rashid, the then ruler of Dubai, passed away in 1990, so when he said that he was talking about the dangers of over-reliance on oil revenues and the need to diversify the economy. His legacy has been carried on by his son, Sheikh Mohammed, which is why oil is now less than 1% of Dubai's GDP.
Up the road in Abu Dhabi there have been some very smart investments, especially recently in the AI space,
It's nonsensical to talk about "Arabs" as one homogenous entity, as this doesn't reflect the diversity of the region and the fact that there is a big difference in governmental approaches.
The UAE and Lebanon, for example, couldn't be more different on pretty much every level imaginable.

[SeanBrennan]

The Arabs will have made 100 X more than enough to live off their investments for eternity

As long as they don't waste all their money......

That's the point, I think. The sheikh in question was commenting on the ridiculous amounts of money being wasted on nonsense projects.

Luckily Saudi have got all that under control as they.... *waves hand in the direction of NOEM project*.... or not

Just for the sake of clarity, Sheikh Rashid, the then ruler of Dubai, passed away in 1990, so when he said that he was talking about the dangers of over-reliance on oil revenues and the need to diversify the economy. His legacy has been carried on by his son, Sheikh Mohammed, which is why oil is now less than 1% of Dubai's GDP.
Up the road in Abu Dhabi there have been some very smart investments, especially recently in the AI space,
It's nonsensical to talk about "Arabs" as one homogenous entity, as this doesn't reflect the diversity of the region and the fact that there is a big difference in governmental approaches.
The UAE and Lebanon, for example, couldn't be more different on pretty much every level imaginable.

Very intelligent and insightful post

[johninmanchester]

The Arabs will have made 100 X more than enough to live off their investments for eternity

As long as they don't waste all their money......

That's the point, I think. The sheikh in question was commenting on the ridiculous amounts of money being wasted on nonsense projects.

Luckily Saudi have got all that under control as they.... *waves hand in the direction of NOEM project*.... or not

Just for the sake of clarity, Sheikh Rashid, the then ruler of Dubai, passed away in 1990, so when he said that he was talking about the dangers of over-reliance on oil revenues and the need to diversify the economy. His legacy has been carried on by his son, Sheikh Mohammed, which is why oil is now less than 1% of Dubai's GDP.
Up the road in Abu Dhabi there have been some very smart investments, especially recently in the AI space,
It's nonsensical to talk about "Arabs" as one homogenous entity, as this doesn't reflect the diversity of the region and the fact that there is a big difference in governmental approaches.
The UAE and Lebanon, for example, couldn't be more different on pretty much every level imaginable.

Sheikh al-Brennan, my apologies if I have offended you. I was making an off hand comment and a reference to an amusing comment by a former ruler of a Middle Eastern territory. I wasn't trying to write a thesis about pan-Arabian economic outlooks.

[Deserter]

That's the point, I think. The sheikh in question was commenting on the ridiculous amounts of money being wasted on nonsense projects.

Luckily Saudi have got all that under control as they.... *waves hand in the direction of NOEM project*.... or not

Just for the sake of clarity, Sheikh Rashid, the then ruler of Dubai, passed away in 1990, so when he said that he was talking about the dangers of over-reliance on oil revenues and the need to diversify the economy. His legacy has been carried on by his son, Sheikh Mohammed, which is why oil is now less than 1% of Dubai's GDP.
Up the road in Abu Dhabi there have been some very smart investments, especially recently in the AI space,
It's nonsensical to talk about "Arabs" as one homogenous entity, as this doesn't reflect the diversity of the region and the fact that there is a big difference in governmental approaches.
The UAE and Lebanon, for example, couldn't be more different on pretty much every level imaginable.

Very intelligent and insightful post

Cheers Sean. At least you appreciated it, even if John didn't (also not sure why he thinks I'm you )

[SeanBrennan]

Just for the sake of clarity, Sheikh Rashid, the then ruler of Dubai, passed away in 1990, so when he said that he was talking about the dangers of over-reliance on oil revenues and the need to diversify the economy. His legacy has been carried on by his son, Sheikh Mohammed, which is why oil is now less than 1% of Dubai's GDP.
Up the road in Abu Dhabi there have been some very smart investments, especially recently in the AI space,
It's nonsensical to talk about "Arabs" as one homogenous entity, as this doesn't reflect the diversity of the region and the fact that there is a big difference in governmental approaches.
The UAE and Lebanon, for example, couldn't be more different on pretty much every level imaginable.

Very intelligent and insightful post

Cheers Sean. At least you appreciated it, even if John didn't (also not sure why he thinks I'm you )

I didn’t notice that, good old forums eh.

[Wake up call]

Just read Boxing Scene are being frozen out of attending events, including Benn v Eubank.

Must admit as a BN subscriber, it didn't sit well that former editors and writers had switched to a free internet website in direct competition with BN, and therefore undermining the old girl.

I don't see how that has anything to do with BN.

It was a Ring magazine sponsored event. Ring is run by Rick Reeno, who used to own Boxing Scene.

[veriton]

Just read Boxing Scene are being frozen out of attending events, including Benn v Eubank.

Must admit as a BN subscriber, it didn't sit well that former editors and writers had switched to a free internet website in direct competition with BN, and therefore undermining the old girl.

I don't see how that has anything to do with BN.

It was a Ring magazine sponsored event. Ring is run by Rick Reeno, who used to own Boxing Scene.

Former BN staff leave to join an online company that undermines BN (while still trading on their association with it).

Couldn't give a monkeys about The Ring, have never read it.

[veriton]

Steadman says he is quitting the Opening Bell podcast again, but this time sounds like he is leaving for real due to a lack of paying subscribers.

Shame as it's the best boxing pod out there, in my opinion.

They upped the number of pods to give something extra to subscribers so now he's doing twice the work and still not getting the going rate (in his words).

Still a gamble to quit though as it surely boosts his profile and keeps him relevant.

I listen to a pod called Making Sense with Sam Harris and it fades out halfway through if you haven't paid so maybe they should try that route before he bails.

[mickey1975]

I don't like hearing stuff like that from the host. I'd automatically not want to give him anything. I did pay a little to Tris Dixons Boxing Life Stories for a while, but Tris said it in a friendly way and the content was different and brilliant.

[Jimmy2025]

I don't like hearing stuff like that from the host. I'd automatically not want to give him anything. I did pay a little to Tris Dixons Boxing Life Stories for a while, but Tris said it in a friendly way and the content was different and brilliant.

Yes, unfortunately when it gets to the point where a business owner is effectively saying "if you don't start buying now, I'm closing" the writing is on the wall anyway. Business is tough at the moment in certain sectors (believe me) as disposable income is very tight. There are thousands of podcasts where the only cost is your time and brain-space when you are served ads. To get paying subscribers in numbers you have to be outstanding.

I do pay for quality niche material that I can't get elsewhere for free but there's nothing in boxing where that is applicable.

[mickey1975]

I know a guy who does the most successful snooker one with Shaun Murphy. They seem to be flying.

[Glass Joe]

Steadman says he is quitting the Opening Bell podcast again, but this time sounds like he is leaving for real due to a lack of paying subscribers.

Shame as it's the best boxing pod out there, in my opinion.

They upped the number of pods to give something extra to subscribers so now he's doing twice the work and still not getting the going rate (in his words).

Still a gamble to quit though as it surely boosts his profile and keeps him relevant.

I listen to a pod called Making Sense with Sam Harris and it fades out halfway through if you haven't paid so maybe they should try that route before he bails.

i subscribe to their patron as support as i like to listen to it at work or on a walk.

the first problem is there is 4 people on the pay role. thats totally unnecessary. just pay Matt and Alex they can learn to upload and post thats double pay over night.

i doubt 99% of podcasts make a living off it.

i dont think boxing has that audience thats willing to pay to support most will just be hard core fans, most of us here probably have a fire stick so would rather just listen to it for free. promoters dont really make money off the hard core fans mostly its the casuals.

[maverick23]

Steadman says he is quitting the Opening Bell podcast again, but this time sounds like he is leaving for real due to a lack of paying subscribers.

Shame as it's the best boxing pod out there, in my opinion.

They upped the number of pods to give something extra to subscribers so now he's doing twice the work and still not getting the going rate (in his words).

Still a gamble to quit though as it surely boosts his profile and keeps him relevant.

I listen to a pod called Making Sense with Sam Harris and it fades out halfway through if you haven't paid so maybe they should try that route before he bails.

i subscribe to their patron as support as i like to listen to it at work or on a walk.

the first problem is there is 4 people on the pay role. thats totally unnecessary. just pay Matt and Alex they can learn to upload and post thats double pay over night.

i doubt 99% of podcasts make a living off it.

i dont think boxing has that audience thats willing to pay to support most will just be hard core fans, most of us here probably have a fire stick so would rather just listen to it for free. promoters dont really make money off the hard core fans mostly its the casuals.

Yep. U.K. Boxing doesn’t have enough hardcores to pay enough for a podcast to make money. There’s already loads of content out there on YouTube and other podcasts.

[maverick23]

I know a guy who does the most successful snooker one with Shaun Murphy. They seem to be flying.

That’s a non- paid for one thought isn’t it?

Snooker has a bigger market than snooker globally and I’d say has a bigger die hard audience than boxing. There also isn’t the same level of exposure like we get in boxing on YouTube with 5 people all asking the same questions to the key people.

I sub to Stephen Hendry’s YouTube which seems to be doing well. Gets plenty of views each video so doesn’t surprise me a snooker pod gets good numbers. I’d imagine a lot will come from China.

To me there aren’t many podcasts that could work well as paid for. If they can’t survive based on advertiser revenue then they need to question carrying on.

[SeanBrennan]

it sounds like trying to make it as a boxing journalist or making coverage of the sport pay is extremely hard. Must be galling when those that do seem to do so as they act as in-house PR for the sport. Fair play to the chap who was editing BN who recently left, I had a whinge on here til I realised how much work was involved.

[Deserter]

I don't like hearing stuff like that from the host. I'd automatically not want to give him anything. I did pay a little to Tris Dixons Boxing Life Stories for a while, but Tris said it in a friendly way and the content was different and brilliant.

I listened to it and while it's my favourite current boxing podcast, I ended up turning the episode off after his monologue as it just left a bad taste in the mouth.
I'm sympathetic to his situation, but as others have already mentioned, podcasts are probably the hardest form of media to monetize at the best of times. A vertical like boxing isn't attractive to advertisers, is relatively over-saturated and has a fanbase used to consuming this type of content for free, so I'm not sure what kind of outcome he was expecting.
The bottom line is that as with any business, if you're not generating the revenue you hoped for, the onus on you is to work out why and improve your product or service (or pivot entirely). He's channeling his energy in the wrong places and unfortunately he came across as very bitter, which just alienates people unnecessarily.
BTW, agree completely re. Boxing Life Stories.

[SeanBrennan]

I don't like hearing stuff like that from the host. I'd automatically not want to give him anything. I did pay a little to Tris Dixons Boxing Life Stories for a while, but Tris said it in a friendly way and the content was different and brilliant.

I listened to it and while it's my favourite current boxing podcast, I ended up turning the episode off after his monologue as it just left a bad taste in the mouth.
I'm sympathetic to his situation, but as others have already mentioned, podcasts are probably the hardest form of media to monetize at the best of times. A vertical like boxing isn't attractive to advertisers, is relatively over-saturated and has a fanbase used to consuming this type of content for free, so I'm not sure what kind of outcome he was expecting.
The bottom line is that as with any business, if you're not generating the revenue you hoped for, the onus on you is to work out why and improve your product or service (or pivot entirely). He's channeling his energy in the wrong places and unfortunately he came across as very bitter, which just alienates people unnecessarily.
BTW, agree completely re. Boxing Life Stories.

totally agree with both these points

[Glass Joe]

i haven't listened to the last few week episodes. Is Alex still going?

[veriton]

He was on the most recent but in his rant he said he'd quit at the end of may so let's see if he pops up again. No mention of him bailing in the last one.

[SeanBrennan]

on the theme of BN, I bought it last week and it was really good, did not list an editor but Graham Houston wrote the first article so is he editing?

[veriton]

Seems like it, although he's also writing a fair amount too. Some serious history and knowledge going in BN now, the sort of stuff you'll never find anywhere else.

Can't see how any serious boxing fan could be without it.

[Deserter]

Yep, I'm still buying it as there's been some good stuff in there in recent weeks - I can see more of a BM influence at times (in a good way). For example, the preview of Benn vs Eubank Jr that had the poll of different fight figures on the outcome.

[veriton]

Steedman on the pod still this week, seems like he's been talked down off the ledge again.