O2 Arena - Good for boxing?

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 16 Jul 2007, 08:34

For those who went on Saturday, how do you rate the O2 arena as a venue for boxing?

Myself, I was very impressed. I drove from Southampton in under 2 hours, £5 to park. Had a nice wander round, couple of beers, something to eat then got in very easily when the doors opened. Liked the fact there was two lanes - 1. for people with no bags so you could get through quick 2. one for people with bags (think they should have a third for people only coming to watch Khan then fornicate off home after, buts thats my opinion!)

Plenty of bars and food places inside, easy to get served and not that badly priced.

Great views of the ring, and a nice atmosphere when people got into it.

Definately go again.

Any thoughts?

SuperSedgy · Post by **SuperSedgy** » 16 Jul 2007, 08:40

Excellent venue, loads to see and do outside the actual Arena bbit. I travelled there ok, came form northwest London and took less than an hour on the tube. The only problem I had was when I left th e trains had stopped so it took me 4 hours to get home on the night bus! The seats were great and really comfortable. Excellent views.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 16 Jul 2007, 08:57

Yep, thumbs up from me too. Tiered seating means good view from anywhere, plenty of food and drink, lots of stuff outside the actual arena, great sound system, nice staff and a nice touch in being allowed to take food and soft drinks to your seat.

DAVE2005 · Post by **DAVE2005** » 16 Jul 2007, 09:26

yeah i liked the venue also.good view as mentioned above.our hotel would have been a 30 minute walk,but there was a bus station 2 minutes away from the arena so that was really handy.there was also some really unusual sg gibson guitars which i was just as interested in looking at almost as much as the boxing

chinny · Post by **chinny** » 16 Jul 2007, 09:48

Yep, generally top notch: easy to get to; decent selection of bars & restaurants around the arena; staff generally helpful; loads of TV’s in the vending areas.

The only issues I had were more to do with the promotion that the arena: big gaps between fights; post fight interviews not broadcast to crowd (how difficult can it be - it makes for a more involving experience); lack of a big screen for replays etc; no communication at all to the fans (ie it wasn’t until about 10.30 I realised I had missed Kevin Mitchell as he was on much earlier than advertised).

101boxing · Post by **101boxing** » 16 Jul 2007, 10:38

chinny wrote:Yep, generally top notch: easy to get to; decent selection of bars & restaurants around the arena; staff generally helpful; loads of TV’s in the vending areas.

The only issues I had were more to do with the promotion that the arena: big gaps between fights; post fight interviews not broadcast to crowd (how difficult can it be - it makes for a more involving experience); lack of a big screen for replays etc; no communication at all to the fans (ie it wasn’t until about 10.30 I realised I had missed Kevin Mitchell as he was on much earlier than advertised).

that is the venue's decision, not the promoter's. lack of screens and announcements etc are down to the arena.

there are always screens at the excel and millennium, but not at MEN and apparently not the O2. cant be that difficult, and i agree about the post fight interviews and replays......totally makes for more of an experience, and if some of the previous fights had been put on in between bouts, more people might have stayed for Pryces decent win over smalls (mind you, though, i feel a bit silly for staying through that cuddling match!!!!!).

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:05

I haven't seen a big screen in the three times I've been to the ExCel... so must be promoter's discretion.

Yes, TV screens in the food and drink areas of the 02 were a good touch; meant you didn't miss anything if you wanted a break.

Interviews over the PA system should definitely be done more. I remember it was used at Lewis-Botha and the crowd was definitely into it.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:46

Can I ask, what is the normal Car Parking prices for such venues. The original poster makes it sound like a £5 is cheap..... Thats sounds fecking dear to me.

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:50

stujones wrote:Can I ask, what is the normal Car Parking prices for such venues. The original poster makes it sound like a £5 is cheap..... Thats sounds fecking dear to me.

Think I paid around £9 for Wood vs. Johnson 3 at the Reebok. MEN, no parking so NCP so expensive.

Thought £5 parking from 5pm till 1am was very cheap!

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:56

5 pounds is ok, i have been charged 20 quid once for the excel parking. Nottingham is good value i think its 3 quid after 5 up to 2am, i got one of the free spaces when i went to wembley arena. the best once are the leisure centres with free parking like barnsley. Best to do some research before going.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:56

dopey wrote:
stujones wrote:Can I ask, what is the normal Car Parking prices for such venues. The original poster makes it sound like a £5 is cheap..... Thats sounds fecking dear to me.
Think I paid around £9 for Wood vs. Johnson 3 at the Reebok. MEN, no parking so NCP so expensive.

Thought £5 parking from 5pm till 1am was very cheap!

Holybejesus - £9 is expensive. I am a tight arse, but my experiences of the Cardiff Arms Park and now Millenium stadium is no where near that. Park in the Museum... bit of a walk (not much) but well Policed.... Free. Although, if you are working or cannot make it early then you will have to use the NCP - but its nowhere near that £5 in Cardiff.

I've been on one of these tours of the Reebok and parked right outside it... I cannot remember paying anything.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 16 Jul 2007, 11:59

Parking at Wembley Stadium was £9 for Bruno-McCalll 12 years ago!