O2 show ticket sales, very poor

leforge · Post by **leforge** » 08 Jul 2007, 10:20

Fights on Itv Khan and Skelton on itv 4 at 8pm Nicky cook

thepocketrocket · Post by **thepocketrocket** » 08 Jul 2007, 18:12

Its actually UFC, they were at a meeting only the other day at the O2 Arena to discuss plans concerning their show on 8 Sep 07 ... it was at this meeting where it was revealed already 11,000 tickets have been sold for the event ... in addition it was at this meeting that someone overheard that a boxing event which had less than 2 weeks until it happened had only been set up for 10,000 people and had sold around 5,000 tickets

Im not trying to laugh at Mr Warren, im actually gutted as he deserves a good reward for such a good show...

boxingchatter · Post by **boxingchatter** » 09 Jul 2007, 04:46

Warren is a tired, tired old man - despite the face-lifts. He knew what fight fans wanted 20 years ago but the world has passed him by. He's got no clue what makes a good show or how to create a star in the 21st Century. I mean look at that pathetic "USA v UK Contender" crap in Newcastle. Is Anthony Small or Robin Reid a household name now? Errr... nope!

Meanwhile Michael Bisping (UFC British guy) is EVERYWHERE. I've seen that guy in newspapers, FHM, Arena, Zoo, Nuts and even my girl's gossip magazine. Where's Calzslappy? The Sheep-shagger Herald? The Welsh Gazette?

Warren is yesterday's man. He can't cut it no more. No big TV deal, no stars, no ticket sales, just a season ticket to McNarma/Troy.

He thinks some dry ice right out of Top of the Pops, circa 1986, and a crappy sound system blowing out such up to date hits as Snap's "I got the Power" or even the dreaded "Cotton Eyed Joe" is more than enough on production.

And I did laugh at his claims he is gonna sit down with the Hattons to talk business? What, and go back to getting paid f-all for fighting the likes of Ashira, Bika and Manfredo? Hmmmmmm.... right. Actually, I hope a meeting does take place - Ricky has said many times he'd kick the crap out of allegedly if he sees him again!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jul 2007, 04:46

KO Artist wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:I also think it is especially hard to get londoners to go to a big boxing event.

There just aren't that many shows on in London any more, and aside from the York Hall mob, which is a small group, there aren't many prepared to travel to a venue in London to watch a fight.

Look at Haye v Thompson, cracking fight on paper, only sold what, 3000?
Not even that James, I was there. It soldabout 2200.

It was dreadfuly promoted though. Friday night

So was I! Didn't get time to count the fans though.

boxingchatter · Post by **boxingchatter** » 09 Jul 2007, 04:53

Haye v Thompson had NOTHING on undercard. I guess you can't say that about this o2 fiasco, but still they've only done a handful of tickets.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 09 Jul 2007, 07:01

boxingchatter wrote:I mean look at that pathetic "USA v UK Contender" crap in Newcastle. Is Anthony Small or Robin Reid a household name now? Errr... nope!

The fight card itself was very good quality, no fillers, some decent names and foghts people cared about. It could have been a big success if

a) It was shown on ITV1 - more impulse viewings, because let's face it, when channel surfing, the big 5 always get the first look
b) It was actually advertised on TV - who knew about the event outside of existing boxing fans?
c) The results were kept hidden until after the broadcasts - even if you knew about the event, you're less likely to watch a fight when you already know the result, especially if it was known to be one-sided like Ravelo-Buchanan or boring like Reid-Brinkley.

Tony Lumb · Post by **Tony Lumb** » 09 Jul 2007, 07:37

TerribleTerry wrote:
thepocketrocket wrote:Apparently the wrestling(UFC) has sold 11000 tickets in just a few days and is selling between 300-500 tickets a day...dont ask me why...
A lot of people knock MMA and take the mickey (its their right to do so I suppose..) but it is far removed from pro wrestling.

Here is a youtube clip of Anderson 'Spider' Silva and Minotauro Noguiera (both top notch MMA fighters) sparring in the run up to their fights on UFC 73.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4AyNrCbaaA

I think they both demonstrate decent boxing skills in all fairness and whilst they weigh 185lbs and 240lbs respectively come fight time, they have decent work rates too.

Whilst they wouldnt be able to hold their own with top boxing pros, it at least shows their general grasp of boxing. (which of course is only a single aspect of the sport..)

(probably better to watch the clip with the sound down to avoid the annoying weirdo moaning from ringside in portugese.._ )

Fake wrestling it aint.

I tried to get tickets for the September UFC show the DAY they went on sale and the cheapest tickets left were £100.

Minotauro Nogueira is on the Brazilian amateur boxing team and was hoping to qualify for the Olympics.

For me, to say MMA is far removed from Pro Wrestling is a little naive. An argument could be made that they're both essentially the same, with the same tools used to promote and build, the only difference being one is worked. In fact, to say BOXING is far removed from pro wrestling is debatable, the record-breaking De La Hoya v Mayweather match was pro wrestling 101.

101boxing · Post by **101boxing** » 09 Jul 2007, 07:48

~ MIKEE ~ wrote:
Greg Nicholas wrote:What's with this 'only'..? 5,000 isn't bad at all..!
holds 20000 tho - you book big venues in the expectation of filling them

not necessarily. the o2 is an exciting new venue, and it was they who approached FW re putting boxing on.

you also have to consider the fact that any sport this time of year is going to struggle with Wimbledon, Silverstone GP and all the footy transfers that never were or will be.

5-7 K people is a good draw for this time of year.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 09 Jul 2007, 07:50

Tony Lumb wrote:
TerribleTerry wrote:
thepocketrocket wrote:Apparently the wrestling(UFC) has sold 11000 tickets in just a few days and is selling between 300-500 tickets a day...dont ask me why...
A lot of people knock MMA and take the mickey (its their right to do so I suppose..) but it is far removed from pro wrestling.

Here is a youtube clip of Anderson 'Spider' Silva and Minotauro Noguiera (both top notch MMA fighters) sparring in the run up to their fights on UFC 73.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4AyNrCbaaA

I think they both demonstrate decent boxing skills in all fairness and whilst they weigh 185lbs and 240lbs respectively come fight time, they have decent work rates too.

Whilst they wouldnt be able to hold their own with top boxing pros, it at least shows their general grasp of boxing. (which of course is only a single aspect of the sport..)

(probably better to watch the clip with the sound down to avoid the annoying weirdo moaning from ringside in portugese.._ )

Fake wrestling it aint.
I tried to get tickets for the September UFC show the DAY they went on sale and the cheapest tickets left were £100.

Minotauro Nogueira is on the Brazilian amateur boxing team and was hoping to qualify for the Olympics.

For me, to say MMA is far removed from Pro Wrestling is a little naive. An argument could be made that they're both essentially the same, with the same tools used to promote and build, the only difference being one is worked. In fact, to say BOXING is far removed from pro wrestling is debatable, the record-breaking De La Hoya v Mayweather match was pro wrestling 101.

And Mike Tyson is a known pro wrestling fan who has attributed certain types of pre-fight behaviour to employing wrestling's frequent "bad blood" hype strategies.

Tony Lumb · Post by **Tony Lumb** » 09 Jul 2007, 08:31

oliverfennell wrote:
Tony Lumb wrote:
TerribleTerry wrote: A lot of people knock MMA and take the mickey (its their right to do so I suppose..) but it is far removed from pro wrestling.

Here is a youtube clip of Anderson 'Spider' Silva and Minotauro Noguiera (both top notch MMA fighters) sparring in the run up to their fights on UFC 73.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4AyNrCbaaA

I think they both demonstrate decent boxing skills in all fairness and whilst they weigh 185lbs and 240lbs respectively come fight time, they have decent work rates too.

Whilst they wouldnt be able to hold their own with top boxing pros, it at least shows their general grasp of boxing. (which of course is only a single aspect of the sport..)

(probably better to watch the clip with the sound down to avoid the annoying weirdo moaning from ringside in portugese.._ )

Fake wrestling it aint.
I tried to get tickets for the September UFC show the DAY they went on sale and the cheapest tickets left were £100.

Minotauro Nogueira is on the Brazilian amateur boxing team and was hoping to qualify for the Olympics.

For me, to say MMA is far removed from Pro Wrestling is a little naive. An argument could be made that they're both essentially the same, with the same tools used to promote and build, the only difference being one is worked. In fact, to say BOXING is far removed from pro wrestling is debatable, the record-breaking De La Hoya v Mayweather match was pro wrestling 101.
And Mike Tyson is a known pro wrestling fan who has attributed certain types of pre-fight behaviour to employing wrestling's frequent "bad blood" hype strategies.

Indeed. Look at DLH Mayweather. You have the clean cut, nice guy family man, and the trash talking street punk. You create a conflict, explain to the public WHY they dislike each other, show each of them training intensely, allow them to cut interviews on each other, and then ask people to pay to see them fight.

It works in boxing, it works in MMA, it works in wrestling, and has arguably been adopted by other sports as well.

Think of some of our favourite greatest boxing rivalries, i.e Eubank v Benn, Ali-Frazier to name a couple. Eubank and Ali would have made great pro-wrestlers.

Boxing could learn SO MUCH from pro wrestling in terms of building hype and interest for a fight, but it's considered a pariah.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jul 2007, 08:40

Tony Lumb wrote:
oliverfennell wrote:
Tony Lumb wrote: I tried to get tickets for the September UFC show the DAY they went on sale and the cheapest tickets left were £100.

Minotauro Nogueira is on the Brazilian amateur boxing team and was hoping to qualify for the Olympics.

For me, to say MMA is far removed from Pro Wrestling is a little naive. An argument could be made that they're both essentially the same, with the same tools used to promote and build, the only difference being one is worked. In fact, to say BOXING is far removed from pro wrestling is debatable, the record-breaking De La Hoya v Mayweather match was pro wrestling 101.
And Mike Tyson is a known pro wrestling fan who has attributed certain types of pre-fight behaviour to employing wrestling's frequent "bad blood" hype strategies.
Indeed. Look at DLH Mayweather. You have the clean cut, nice guy family man, and the trash talking street punk. You create a conflict, explain to the public WHY they dislike each other, show each of them training intensely, allow them to cut interviews on each other, and then ask people to pay to see them fight.

It works in boxing, it works in MMA, it works in wrestling, and has arguably been adopted by other sports as well.

Think of some of our favourite greatest boxing rivalries, i.e Eubank v Benn, Ali-Frazier to name a couple. Eubank and Ali would have made great pro-wrestlers.

Boxing could learn SO MUCH from pro wrestling in terms of building hype and interest for a fight, but it's considered a pariah.

Ali apparently got a lot of his shitick from a wrestler called 'gorgeous george.'

Though thankfully not the outfits.

http://www.slammers.com/george.php

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 09 Jul 2007, 08:40

Tony Lumb wrote:
TerribleTerry wrote:
thepocketrocket wrote:Apparently the wrestling(UFC) has sold 11000 tickets in just a few days and is selling between 300-500 tickets a day...dont ask me why...
A lot of people knock MMA and take the mickey (its their right to do so I suppose..) but it is far removed from pro wrestling.

Here is a youtube clip of Anderson 'Spider' Silva and Minotauro Noguiera (both top notch MMA fighters) sparring in the run up to their fights on UFC 73.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4AyNrCbaaA

I think they both demonstrate decent boxing skills in all fairness and whilst they weigh 185lbs and 240lbs respectively come fight time, they have decent work rates too.

Whilst they wouldnt be able to hold their own with top boxing pros, it at least shows their general grasp of boxing. (which of course is only a single aspect of the sport..)

(probably better to watch the clip with the sound down to avoid the annoying weirdo moaning from ringside in portugese.._ )

Fake wrestling it aint.
I tried to get tickets for the September UFC show the DAY they went on sale and the cheapest tickets left were £100.

Minotauro Nogueira is on the Brazilian amateur boxing team and was hoping to qualify for the Olympics.

For me, to say MMA is far removed from Pro Wrestling is a little naive. An argument could be made that they're both essentially the same, with the same tools used to promote and build, the only difference being one is worked. In fact, to say BOXING is far removed from pro wrestling is debatable, the record-breaking De La Hoya v Mayweather match was pro wrestling 101.

You are talking about promotion and hype there Tony, whereas I was referring to it in terms of sporting purity.

Pro Wrestling, to me, is purile nonsence for teenagers and kids. I genarally view any adult who enjoys it with a degree of suspicion..

MMA, however is a real sport, requiring real skills where the result is not predetermined. A million miles away from 'ladder matches' and 'bra and panty' matches (my personal fave.)

Also you have the wrong Nogueira there mate - it is his bro, who was recently put to sleep by the rampant Sokoudjou, who is on the Brazilian Olympic boxing team..

Also Tony - tip for future UFC cards - join their free mailing list and you will get access to tickets 2 days before they go on general sale.

Thats how I bagged my sweet £25 tixs

m1kee50 · Post by **m1kee50** » 09 Jul 2007, 10:18

101boxing wrote:
~ MIKEE ~ wrote:
Greg Nicholas wrote:What's with this 'only'..? 5,000 isn't bad at all..!
holds 20000 tho - you book big venues in the expectation of filling them
not necessarily. the o2 is an exciting new venue, and it was they who approached FW re putting boxing on.

you also have to consider the fact that any sport this time of year is going to struggle with Wimbledon, Silverstone GP and all the footy transfers that never were or will be.

5-7 K people is a good draw for this time of year.

not disagreeing, if they approiached him then obv he does not care so much (if at all), but surely given as you say the time of year, would it not be better held somewhere you can fill - better atmosphere maybe?

Tony Lumb · Post by **Tony Lumb** » 09 Jul 2007, 10:29

TerribleTerry wrote:
Tony Lumb wrote:
TerribleTerry wrote: A lot of people knock MMA and take the mickey (its their right to do so I suppose..) but it is far removed from pro wrestling.

Here is a youtube clip of Anderson 'Spider' Silva and Minotauro Noguiera (both top notch MMA fighters) sparring in the run up to their fights on UFC 73.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4AyNrCbaaA

I think they both demonstrate decent boxing skills in all fairness and whilst they weigh 185lbs and 240lbs respectively come fight time, they have decent work rates too.

Whilst they wouldnt be able to hold their own with top boxing pros, it at least shows their general grasp of boxing. (which of course is only a single aspect of the sport..)

(probably better to watch the clip with the sound down to avoid the annoying weirdo moaning from ringside in portugese.._ )

Fake wrestling it aint.
I tried to get tickets for the September UFC show the DAY they went on sale and the cheapest tickets left were £100.

Minotauro Nogueira is on the Brazilian amateur boxing team and was hoping to qualify for the Olympics.

For me, to say MMA is far removed from Pro Wrestling is a little naive. An argument could be made that they're both essentially the same, with the same tools used to promote and build, the only difference being one is worked. In fact, to say BOXING is far removed from pro wrestling is debatable, the record-breaking De La Hoya v Mayweather match was pro wrestling 101.
You are talking about promotion and hype there Tony, whereas I was referring to it in terms of sporting purity.

Pro Wrestling, to me, is purile nonsence for teenagers and kids. I genarally view any adult who enjoys it with a degree of suspicion..

MMA, however is a real sport, requiring real skills where the result is not predetermined. A million miles away from 'ladder matches' and 'bra and panty' matches (my personal fave.)

Also you have the wrong Nogueira there mate - it is his bro, who was recently put to sleep by the rampant Sokoudjou, who is on the Brazilian Olympic boxing team..

Also Tony - tip for future UFC cards - join their free mailing list and you will get access to tickets 2 days before they go on general sale.

Thats how I bagged my sweet £25 tixs

I know Minotauro has trained with the Cuban amateur team, I may be wrong about him being on the Brazilian team.

"Pro Wrestling, to me, is purile nonsence for teenagers and kids. I genarally view any adult who enjoys it with a degree of suspicion..

"

If we're using the WWE as an example, i find it hard to argue with you. I still watch it, but the magic is gone. I would, however, dispute that opinion with regards to classic old-school wrestling, pre 1985 or so when McMahon monopolised the business and turned it into a steroid-filled cartoon.

And to the guy who said Ali got his schtick from Gorgeous George - that's what is often said, and oft reported, but I believe it was actually Classy Freddie Blassie "The Hollywood Fashion Plate" who was actually more Ali's era, Gorgeous George was a few years before Ali would've watched.

£25 UFC tickets?? You ***~!

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:09

If you're saying people shouldn't watch wrestling because it's fake, then by the same reasoning, people shouldn't watch theatre.

J · Post by J » 09 Jul 2007, 11:11

Aah but wrestling masqerades as a sport indicating that there is some kind of fair contest, which we know doesnt happen in wrestling and all the
contests are rigged.

Theatre doesnt pretend to be anything it isnt.

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:12

oliverfennell wrote:If you're saying people shouldn't watch wrestling because it's fake, then by the same reasoning, people shouldn't watch theatre.

I am saying that people shouldn't watch wrestling because it is shit.

J · Post by J » 09 Jul 2007, 11:14

TerribleTerry wrote:
oliverfennell wrote:If you're saying people shouldn't watch wrestling because it's fake, then by the same reasoning, people shouldn't watch theatre.
I am saying that people shouldn't watch wrestling because it is shit.

aaah forgot that bit but you are quite right!

game set match

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:18

J wrote:Aah but wrestling masqerades as a sport indicating that there is some kind of fair contest, which we know doesnt happen in wrestling and all the
contests are rigged.

Theatre doesnt pretend to be anything it isnt.

Wrestling USED to promote itself as a sport, but it ceased to do that a long time ago. Now everybody knows it's staged and they watch it for other reasons (entertainment, athleticism). If you talk to anyone involved in wrestling "outside hours", they'll be honest about it. It's come a long way since the 80s and before, when wrestlers had to stay "in character" at all times.

Same with theatre. You talk to somebody involved in theatre outside of the show and of course they don't pretend it's anything it's not. But they're hardly going to remind you during the performance of the fact you are not watching something real, any more than a wrestler is going to.

J · Post by J » 09 Jul 2007, 11:20

well to be honest mate i stopped watching wrestling when I was a kid and realised it was all staged.

theres enough real sport going on out there to not have to watch this contrived shite full of roid abusers, but hey thats just my opinion.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:27

Wrestling is a cross between bodybuilding, gymnastics, ballet and panto!

It's utterly ludicrous of course. I used to find it amusing when I was younger, but now I just think it's a load of pointless tripe.

Bloody well packaged and marketed however.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:29

Fair enough, and I'm sure this road has been driven down many times.

But it is true to say there are lessons to be learned from the way wrestling promotes its shows and performers. It doesn't take a genius to work out why people like Tyson, Naz, Ali, Eubank etc were such big box office draws. They were not just good boxers but interesting CHARACTERS too.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:39

Like wrestling you'd have had to have got Eubank and Benn together before a fight to go through their lines and practice their put downs...

That bad blood was real, you couldn't fake that....

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 09 Jul 2007, 12:53

You're right about that, but sometimes all you need is one engaging character to sell a fight - for example the names I listed above.

jonp · Post by **jonp** » 09 Jul 2007, 13:59

J wrote:Aah but wrestling masqerades as a sport indicating that there is some kind of fair contest, which we know doesnt happen in wrestling and all the
contests are rigged.

Theatre doesnt pretend to be anything it isnt.

You think wrsetling is pretending to real

They have got leprachorns,boogiemen,deadmen,they have explosions and baseball bats in matches.
This is purely entertainment i realy dont think it trys to fool anyone that its a real sport.