Are boxing fans even the target audience for Zuffa... Boxing?

[2369647]

I've tried with Zuffa, but I just don't think I am the target audience, despite heavily enjoying the sport outside of it. I've been to club shows that actually had personality and where the fights felt special. This Zuffa product just is not it. The uniforms, the black, white, and gray colors, Max on commentary, the Meta Apex, gray hoodies during the entrance, and the efforts to circumvent the Ali Act of 2000 in favor of a UBO system have rubbed me the wrong way. I was always against the legislation, but I still expected the product to be good right off the bat (sort of like Canelo-Crawford?). I expected to enjoy it even despite my opposition. So far, that just hasn't been the case, and it makes me sad for the future of boxing.

I always liked how boxing was completely different than UFC/MMA. I was hoping boxing would keep some of its "Wild West" feel, even if it pursued structural reform. I enjoy the pageantry, fanfare, and overall spectacle of boxing as much as I do the actual fight. Seeing it presented in an intentionally bland and lifeless way makes the product feel somewhat dystopian.

All credit to the fighters, though. They seem to be competing hard under the Zuffa umbrella. I like Emiliano Alvarado in particular. But I can't help but feel that there is little star-creation going on here with so much focus on the Zuffa "brand." Really, I think the entire production is a disservice to the fighters, and even though it might help the Zuffa brand, it likely won't help the sport long-term.

The sportswashing element of it (Sela owns 60% of Zuffa escape tsunami for brainrots) also makes me uncomfortable, but unfortunately, the decentralized version of boxing that continues to exist via the legacy promoters has also succumbed to sportswashing. Right now, outside of ProBoxTV, there isn't much room to enjoy a traditional boxing experience free of the Saudis and free of Dana White.

Nevertheless, I will continue to root for the legacy promoters mostly because I still enjoy their product and they will still essentially be ordered to play by the rules of the 2000 Muhammad Ali Act, even if the "Ali Revival Act" passes (which it likely will). All of this is to say that I hold out some hope we'll be better off despite all of this because maybe it will spark something in the current promoters that wasn't there before. I know that Matchroom has gotten off to a very hot start this year. However, that is with Zuffa currently competing in the market, not through a parallel system where they get to circumvent all the rules that everyone else plays by.

Maybe Zuffa starts booking real arenas and adds more personality to the product, or maybe it doesn't succeed the way many anticipated. Maybe there is an effort at the last-minute to prevent the "Ali Revival Act" from passing. But if I am being candid, I worry about a future where I won't be watching at all.

Eager to hear comments on this and how you feel about where things are heading.

[joshj909]

When UFC started banning originality in walk outs and uniforms the product started getting bland throughout. The Pride product was much more entertaining outside of the ring. TKO also owns WWE so should be able to see the benefit of entertaining walkouts and unique identifiable shorts. The UFC product now is professional but lacks fun and I don't see why Zuffa will be different.

Not to mention the rest...

[Cent0089]

As a boxing fan? Things outside of the ring does not matter to me.
- idiotic talks of the fighters?
- twitter war of words?
- waiting 4 years for a fight because promoters and managers?
No thanks.

I like Zuffa and im really hope they will succeed. Boxing card with 8 evenly matched fights, every 2 or 3 weeks free on youtube? If you dont like it you are not a fan of boxing IMO. They need to get some bigger names and get more audience. I dont think they will overtake the sport but definitely rooting for Zuffa.

[keithmoonhangover]

As a boxing fan? Things outside of the ring does not matter to me.
- idiotic talks of the fighters?
- twitter war of words?
- waiting 4 years for a fight because promoters and managers?
No thanks.

I like Zuffa and im really hope they will succeed. Boxing card with 8 evenly matched fights, every 2 or 3 weeks free on youtube? If you dont like it you are not a fan of boxing IMO. They need to get some bigger names and get more audience. I dont think they will overtake the sport but definitely rooting for Zuffa.

Hello Mr White.

[MPW]

I consider myself more than a casual, and, for the most part, I like the fights that have been shown and can't complain about the price. Since I'm not attending in person, I don't need to see or hear about the circus atmosphere and the contrived drama, just give me evenly matched fighters who put on a good show in a genuine effort to win.

However, I wouldn't mind seeing little more production flash and fanfare but not at the expense of the fights. I guess I would rather watch an enjoyable bout in a boring setting than a one-sided mismatch in a shiny glitz and glam environment.

I used to like Kellerman but now find him annoying. He is knowledgeable about boxing and fighters, and at one time he offered up insightful commentary during the bouts, but now he seems to have devolved into little more than a shill for whomever signs the paycheck.

[Cent0089]

As a boxing fan? Things outside of the ring does not matter to me.
- idiotic talks of the fighters?
- twitter war of words?
- waiting 4 years for a fight because promoters and managers?
No thanks.

I like Zuffa and im really hope they will succeed. Boxing card with 8 evenly matched fights, every 2 or 3 weeks free on youtube? If you dont like it you are not a fan of boxing IMO. They need to get some bigger names and get more audience. I dont think they will overtake the sport but definitely rooting for Zuffa.

Hello Mr White.

Who is Mr White?
Edit: Got it

[gilgamesh]

I haven't seen any of the Zuffa cards yet. Their goal of being the 1 Promoter in the World of Boxing is not going to be easy to fulfill.

I do think the Presentation of the UFC from the moment Zuffa took it over is definitely part of the problem with them as a company. I enjoyed the UFC in the early days when it was promoted by SEG Sports, As time went on, and Zuffa took over, it got more and more popular, but I also gradually lost interest.

I'm a huge fan of Pride FC, and actually own every event from that entire Promotion on DVD. I haven't watched a Live MMA bout now in at least 10 years it feels like, so I guess you could say there's something about Zuffa's promotion that rubs me the wrong way too.

[Perseus]

As a boxing fan? Things outside of the ring does not matter to me.
- idiotic talks of the fighters?
- twitter war of words?
- waiting 4 years for a fight because promoters and managers?
No thanks.

I like Zuffa and im really hope they will succeed. Boxing card with 8 evenly matched fights, every 2 or 3 weeks free on youtube? If you dont like it you are not a fan of boxing IMO. They need to get some bigger names and get more audience. I dont think they will overtake the sport but definitely rooting for Zuffa.

[mikebourkefan]

I haven't seen any of the Zuffa cards yet. Their goal of being the 1 Promoter in the World of Boxing is not going to be easy to fulfill.

I do think the Presentation of the UFC from the moment Zuffa took it over is definitely part of the problem with them as a company. I enjoyed the UFC in the early days when it was promoted by SEG Sports, As time went on, and Zuffa took over, it got more and more popular, but I also gradually lost interest.
so I guess you could say there's something about Zuffa's promotion that rubs me the wrong way too.

same here, the ufc in fact the whole sport was better as a tournament format and no holds barred fights. The athletic commissions along with Zuffa watered down the fights by adding 31 rules. Dana Hype paying most fighters VERY BADLY really does not help either

[Cent0089]

I haven't seen any of the Zuffa cards yet. Their goal of being the 1 Promoter in the World of Boxing is not going to be easy to fulfill.

I do think the Presentation of the UFC from the moment Zuffa took it over is definitely part of the problem with them as a company. I enjoyed the UFC in the early days when it was promoted by SEG Sports, As time went on, and Zuffa took over, it got more and more popular, but I also gradually lost interest.
so I guess you could say there's something about Zuffa's promotion that rubs me the wrong way too.

same here, the ufc in fact the whole sport was better as a tournament format and no holds barred fights. The athletic commissions along with Zuffa watered down the fights by adding 31 rules. Dana Hype paying most fighters VERY BADLY really does not help either

I dont think Zuffa pay badly. Look how other promoters pays:

https://x.com/DanRafael1/status/2032638 ... _&ref_url=

[Eolaithe]

Zuffa boxing funded by Netflix and Turki Alalshikh will be successful for fans, but will probably result (in the long-term) fighters earning smaller paydays, coupled with the sport being monopolised (like the UFC having no meaningful rivals).

On the plus side, fans will see the best facing the best, but will have to accept the likelihood of fighters having Mayweather/Marciano unbeaten streaks being unrealistic. It will become normal for fighters to occasionally lose.

[joshj909]

Zuffa boxing funded by Netflix and Turki Alalshikh will be successful for fans, but will probably result (in the long-term) fighters earning smaller paydays, coupled with the sport being monopolised (like the UFC having no meaningful rivals).

On the plus side, fans will see the best facing the best, but will have to accept the likelihood of fighters having Mayweather/Marciano unbeaten streaks being unrealistic. It will become normal for fighters to occasionally lose.

I'm not sure the best fight the best in the UFC anymore. The UFC still protects certain fighters, promotes those who are entertaining outside of the ring to get title shots over those who are more deserving and picks freaks how fights at every opportunity. Imagine a BMF belt in boxing...

[gilgamesh]

Zuffa boxing funded by Netflix and Turki Alalshikh will be successful for fans, but will probably result (in the long-term) fighters earning smaller paydays, coupled with the sport being monopolised (like the UFC having no meaningful rivals).

On the plus side, fans will see the best facing the best, but will have to accept the likelihood of fighters having Mayweather/Marciano unbeaten streaks being unrealistic. It will become normal for fighters to occasionally lose.

I'm not sure the best fight the best in the UFC anymore. The UFC still protects certain fighters, promotes those who are entertaining outside of the ring to get title shots over those who are more deserving and picks freaks how fights at every opportunity. Imagine a BMF belt in boxing...

The BMF belt is stupid, but the general idea behind the matchmaking for those fights is fine. You just gotta keep in mind not to take titles too seriously. All that sh*t was really created as a marketing gimmick at the end of the day, and that's all any of these titles ultimately are.

As the old saying goes "The Champion makes the Title"

[Evander]

Show me the fights and boxers I want to see

[SportsRatings]

I hope Zuffa at least spurs changes that improve boxing (better bouts, more bouts, etc) but given this comes from the guy who keeps hyping fornicating Power Slap it's hard to take it seriously.

Yeah he kept the UFC alive and built it up, but he always slags the fighters and it won't be long before he's doing the same with boxers on the Zuffa label.

Already by making the boxers wear the same thing and not show individuality he's doing what he did with the UFC: trying to prevent anyone from becoming a breakout star and thinking they can leave Zuffa.

I wonder what the contracts look like? in terms of how "locked in" they are. A few are getting very good money, and that rarely happened with the UFC, though the stars at the top did pretty well.

[gilgamesh]

I hope Zuffa at least spurs changes that improve boxing (better bouts, more bouts, etc) but given this comes from the guy who keeps hyping fornicating Power Slap it's hard to take it seriously.

Yeah he kept the UFC alive and built it up, but he always slags the fighters and it won't be long before he's doing the same with boxers on the Zuffa label.

Already by making the boxers wear the same thing and not show individuality he's doing what he did with the UFC: trying to prevent anyone from becoming a breakout star and thinking they can leave Zuffa.

I wonder what the contracts look like? in terms of how "locked in" they are. A few are getting very good money, and that rarely happened with the UFC, though the stars at the top did pretty well.

Sports can't make it without Stars.

[SportsRatings]

I hope Zuffa at least spurs changes that improve boxing (better bouts, more bouts, etc) but given this comes from the guy who keeps hyping fornicating Power Slap it's hard to take it seriously.

Yeah he kept the UFC alive and built it up, but he always slags the fighters and it won't be long before he's doing the same with boxers on the Zuffa label.

Already by making the boxers wear the same thing and not show individuality he's doing what he did with the UFC: trying to prevent anyone from becoming a breakout star and thinking they can leave Zuffa.

I wonder what the contracts look like? in terms of how "locked in" they are. A few are getting very good money, and that rarely happened with the UFC, though the stars at the top did pretty well.

Sports can't make it without Stars.

Very true. But Dana White wants sports to be like Old Hollywood under the studio system. You can have stars but they stick with his studio, and can't get bigger than the studio and have the ability to go to whichever one they want. The UFC is the studio system, boxing is like the Five Families, Dana White wants to be Boss of All Bosses but if he can't do that he will settle for having his actors locked into his studio under tight contracts.