BoxRec

What would put you off going again???

Please try and keep it constructive?

Eg- waiting for main event, supported by a shockingly dull undercard.

Please don't name any promoters or anything like that.

Important question!

Thanks chaps

other people, are the biggest irritant. shouting fighting talking in scouse accents (joke) etc the list is endless.

otherwise, I am of the positive mindset that I am going to the boxing to enjoy it, and that's what I am going to do, so stuff like waiting at the bar, etc, doesn't bother me too much. I mean, so i had to wait 20 mins to get served which means I could only have 1 instead of 2 pints before a fight, big deal.

oh actually one thing that does annoy me, with televised main events, sometimes they could obviously squeeze in an undercard 4 rounder but instead keep you waiting for half an hour or more.

Seeing Spuds ugly mug at some shows and hating myself for knowing who he is

What I really hate is that at most shows, apart from a sketchy running order in the programme, there is no information provided to fans to inform them of which fight is next and how long a gap there will be between fights.

At the Mitchell fight at Upton Park for example the Williams v Chisora fight was brought forward an hour from what was advertised in the programme with no announcement - as a result my mates who were in the bar missed it.

Better communication to the fans in attendance would be very welcome and lack of is my biggest pet hate about attending shows.

The other thing that gets me is lack of security at some events. I've been to a number of shows at the Excel where people have stood on seats and blocked the view and security have done nothing about it.

Jeff Thomas wrote:What would put you off going again???

Please try and keep it constructive?

Eg- waiting for main event, supported by a shockingly dull undercard.

Please don't name any promoters or anything like that.

Important question!

Thanks chaps

Lack of facilities (at smaller shows) ie toilets.

Understaffed bar areas.

I also think it would be beneficial if after each fight it was announced 'You have fifteen minutes until the next fighters enter the ring' which would give you enough time to get a drink, go toilet etc. So you know when it is rather than waiting.

A more comprehensive programme which tells you info about ALL the fighters, including a bit of an interview and biography. I know this is costly and difficult with some fights being at short notice. Maybe someone could announce the upcoming fighters info in the ring while we wait for the next fight, rather than nothing going on. This would negate the need for a programme but at least give you a bit of info so you know who is fighting.

The card being significantly different to the one you bought a ticket for.

Lenny wrote:Seeing Spuds ugly mug at some shows and hating myself for knowing who he is

David Payne Likes this.

I hate it when fights (verbal or physical) break out in the crowd. I honestly wish everyone would just watch in peace and only scream or throw their hands around when something exciting happened in the bout. I'm in Canada and the shows I attend (mostly amateur, Canada is shit for pro boxing outside Quebec) usually have a good atmosphere and a well behaved audience. There are always the idiots that feel the need to prove how stupid they can look though.

Another thing I hate, but not to the same degree as the outside the ring brawls, is when you have a friend, relative, or fan of a boxer sitting near you, screaming at the top of their lungs.

boring chanting along the lines of "There's only one...."
any promotion where there is not even two competitive fights

Quite like going abroad and being treated like a grown-up. Saw Cristian De Martinis fight Jackson Bonsu in Antwerp a few years ago and was able to drink a very nice prosecco while watching the fight (pretentious moi?) :P

On a positive note - love York Hall

Lenny wrote:Seeing Spuds ugly mug at some shows and hating myself for knowing who he is

I am sure someone loves him!!

No1 bugbear : Not having post fight interviews broadcast to the live audience. Its part of the event and the story. Its inexcusable.

For me its the delays between bouts.

I rarely pay for a ticket these days so probably not best to comment but from the view point of covering shows my main gripes are;

1) Promoters who give out press creds but then forget to actually put any press seats out. (Happens more often than you might think)

2) Pushy security staff whose knuckles drag on the floor.

3) Promoters who think serving up eastern european journeymen who'll fight for 10p and half a curly wirly is providing entertainment.

Often the lack of running order.

As other people have said - it'd be better if fights were announced earlier. Spent many a time running in and out trying to get a glimpse of who's coming out next because I don't want to miss a certain fighter's scrap.

Also, stick a queue on for soft-drinks only... it's horrible waiting in line for 20 mins for a coke.

I hate when everyone is outside the arena at the bar getting tanked than there is inside watching the undercard fights. This was especially true at Khan Prescott. Thankfully all those people got their comeuppance...

Swaggering, coked up, 'lads' who think they're hard and are not real boxing fans. I'm, sure there were plenty at the Kevin Mitchell fight

I hate the appalling level of service when compared to other types of events - manifests itself in a whole variety of ways:
It being impossible to get a drink because of huge queues at the bar
Having a poor view of the fight despite having paid good money
Relating to the above the lack of big screens in appropriately-sized venues
The lack of a decent programme
The farce regarding running orders and the long delays
The complete lack of communication from the organisers in relation to the above

Finally, and most of all, the far too frequent dreadful undercards where you already know all the results beforehand because they're all mismatches/public sparring sessions.

Sorry if it sounds like a bit of a rant, but I genuinely feel that the public have been short-changed so many times at live events and treated like mugs by some promoters. The reality is that boxing is years behind other sports/events with regards to ensuring a competent level of customer service.
It's testament to the sheer thrill and electricity that can be generated by a decent fight that some of us will still be prepared to put up with all of this and part with our cash.

reggaereggae wrote:Swaggering, coked up, 'lads' who think they're hard and are not real boxing fans. I'm, sure there were plenty at the Kevin Mitchell fight

There was a serious amount of coke doing the rounds there - people openly whipping out a credit card and shoving it up their hooter in the bogs and seats. Propa nawty...

My main issues at fights is having to sit next to Wilko D

Those 'fans' who leave an arena before the main event. Khan's supporters did that in Glasgow before Scott Harrison defended his WBO featherweight title against Nedal Hussein. They copped a few complimentary beer cans from the locals as they made their way out.

Deserter wrote:I hate the appalling level of service when compared to other types of events - manifests itself in a whole variety of ways:
It being impossible to get a drink because of huge queues at the bar
Having a poor view of the fight despite having paid good money
Relating to the above the lack of big screens in appropriately-sized venues
The lack of a decent programme
The face regarding running orders and the long delays
The complete lack of communication from the organisers in relation to the above

Finally, and most of all, the far too frequent dreadful undercards where you already know all the results beforehand because they're all mismatches/public sparring sessions.

Sorry if it sounds like a bit of a rant, but I genuinely feel that the public have been short-changed so many times at live events and tried like mugs by some promoters. The reality is that boxing is years behind other sports/events with regards to ensuring a competent level of customer service.
It's testament to the sheer thrill and electricity that can be generated by a decent fight that some of us will still be prepared to put up with all of this and part with our cash.

not being able to take a bottle of water to my seat... or even a drink in a paper cup... I want to watch every second thats why i bought a ticket and got there twenty mins before the doors opened... (i know i know)

Scumbags and there girlfriends who are even worse, shrieking and waving their 9ct Elizabeth Duke / Argos jewellry about.

Buying a supposedly pukka ringside seat and then when you get to it there is a 15 row VIP block in front of you. Row A is not row A if there are 15 rows in front of you.

Most of the things already mentioned and poor value for money.

DavidPayne wrote:

Lenny wrote:Seeing Spuds ugly mug at some shows and hating myself for knowing who he is

David Payne Likes this.

x 3

On a serious note:

I agree with Mr Payne or whoever stated it - seeing a completely different show to the one published.

Time and time again even working on shows - If I were perfectly honest I have thought "what f*cking idiot will pay for this??"

But as a plea of mitigation - I have also got continually frustrated at the inconsistency of the BBBofC - when an opponent drops out - I have personally seen the proposed replacements for certain fights and though - yep good replacement for the board to turn them down - David Haye when he was with Fight Academy springs to mind - yet then they have have surprised me by allowing certain opponents for Fight Academy shows.