It's a joke that groves vs degale is box office

[Jeff Thomas]

But I can't wait for it. That sky advert is top!

[Jeff Thomas]

41 views and not one comment! Ha ha

[NazNaci1]

It is a joke, but did you expect anything different?

This was never going to be anything other than PPV. SKY are not going to let this one go out without milking it for all its worth.

Pretty pathetic, really. Needless to say, I'll be watching it, but I don't pay SKY subs or for their PPV's. I'll watch it live on some stream I'll dig out on fight night for nothing.

[loaded_gloves]

Remember when allegedly said 'Pay per view will be a once a year event, for extra special fights' in 1996? (or words to that effect)

No wonder boxing is such a niche obscure sport now. Before much longer there won't be any fools left to milk.

[Terrrrry]

If it weren't for Cleverly fighting for a world title on the same bill, Groves/DeGale would be on normal Sky, in my opinion.

[mickey1975]

If it weren't for Cleverly fighting for a world title on the same bill, Groves/DeGale would be on normal Sky, in my opinion.

It would not be happening if it was not on PPV. The purse bid was massive. Clev would not be fighting for the title at "home" if it was not for DeGale-Groves more like. The show is clearly being sold around that fight.

[charlieb]

I'm not feeling the outrage with this one.

[Loynesy]

Don't buy it then.

The market will determine whether this should have been a PPV. I suspect there will be enough buys to prove it a correct decision.

Apropos of nothing, I sat next to Julio Ceaser Chavez at lunch yesterday...

[JDC]

Don't buy it then.

The market will determine whether this should have been a PPV. I suspect there will be enough buys to prove it a correct decision.

Apropos of nothing, I sat next to Julio Ceaser Chavez at lunch yesterday...

The market keeps getting marginalised because many of the decent breakthough fights for the casual fan/ next generation of fans get put on PPV.

[Tommy Gunn13]

Your right Jeff its not box office,i will either go down my local or go watch it with my old man if he can slip my mothers sleeping tablets into her tea early so he can gain control of the tv remote

[palooka]

But I can't wait for it. That sky advert is top!

Yes, it should be on regular SKY but I will buy it in any case (and anyone coming around to watch had better bring lager - Toupee!)

It is a good bout but I thought PPV was for MASSIVE fights; Jeff you are right, it is wrong.

[palooka]

Don't buy it then.

The market will determine whether this should have been a PPV. I suspect there will be enough buys to prove it a correct decision.

Apropos of nothing, I sat next to Julio Ceaser Chavez at lunch yesterday...

What is he like Loynesy? Is he an interesting and likeable man, does he allow others to be their selves or does he dominate? (Did you get an autograph?; hell he was my idol in 1987 after he wrecked Edwin Rosario, what a fighter and what courage )

[Loynesy]

Terry - apologies, I don't start threads.

JCC was charming, he was in great shape - he drank peppermint tea but smoked like a chimney. it was a business lunch re: his son, who really is a pleasant man.



I suppose I should start a thread about having a coffee with Roberto Duran this morning too...

[Jeff Thomas]

Thread Hijacking B*stards.




I'm intrigued though to be honest

[Loynesy]

Apologies, not trying to hijack a thread. Was simply commenting on a Vegas weekend.

Roberto has lost a shed load of weight, he's looking in good nick.

P

[dexter]

I can't actually remember the last PPV i personally paid up for.

It's become a bit of a farce really. It used to be prestigious. It does nothing to help the sport in the eye of the casual fan.

I think Sky have cocked up here. The Groves v Degale fight may be big to those who follow the sport. But to the average bloke on the street, both are still relatively unknown. Which is shocking considering one won Olympic Gold. But that's how far the sport has gone from the mainstream.

Sticking this on regular Sky sports with the same sort of hype would've pulled much more viewers than it will on PPV. If both performed well, it'd guarantee recognition, and a subsequent following when the genuine PPV merit fights come about for both. If there is such a thing any more.

[Pat Butcher]

I agree it shouldn't be ppv but I'll also be part of the problem cause I'll be buying it.

Loynsey, what were you doing in Vegas?

[hurlock]

i gladly pay for this bout :!: these boys are putting the importance back into that beautifull lord lonsdale belt, easily the best looking belt in the world :!:

[Coco]

I'm really looking forward to what I expect to be a great fight

[Tomasino]

Apologies, not trying to hijack a thread. Was simply commenting on a Vegas weekend.

Roberto has lost a shed load of weight, he's looking in good nick.

P

That's good to hear he was looking a bit fat at my wedding last year...
;;-)

[Finn]

One of the best british smw matchups since benn v eubank and a proper world title fight on the same bill isnt bad going. It would be great if it was on standard sky sports but im not complaining.

[Dioufy]

It's insane how we're asked to pay £15 for Mayweather/Hatton, Hatton/Pacquiao and Klit/Haye, and we're expected to pay the same for Clev/Braemer (who no one has heard of past boxing fans and who might not even turn up) and DeGale/Groves (who again, no one has heard of apart from us fans). Sickly, at very best.

[tear up]

for some reason i honestley think the groves v degale fight wont happen then were does the ppv go surely they cant show just the main fight for that price ppv

[JimJim2009]

for some reason i honestley think the groves v degale fight wont happen then were does the ppv go surely they cant show just the main fight for that price ppv

Same here, I don't think both guys will be in the right come fightnight.

I was a loyal PPV / Sky customer for many years but fxxk it, this year I've followed the "fill your boots" lead from the powers that be, and now use streams. Sky get not a penny from me. Their attitude seems to be "if you can get away with it, do it" so that works for me too.

DeGale/Groves on PPV is the thin end of the wedge - lets say the fight happens, and its a cracker, and we have a legit winner. Do you think the winner's next fight will be on "normal" sky ? Not if they can get away with it - this is the launch of an all new PPV level British fighter. Us fans may be looking at this show in isolation, rest assured sky and the promoters are not.

It also sets a precedent for both sky and the promoters - if this show is a success financially, all future domestic showdowns may go down the PPV route - Fury/Chisora, Macklin/Barker, Brook/Hatton, or whatever enticing domestic pairing crops up in future.

I expect our top promoters are already wondering how quickly they can transform a 2012 olympic hero, known to millions thanks to terrestrial coverage of the boxing tournament, fanned by the media following their progress, into a sky box office attraction. 15 fights ? 10 fights ? His debut ?

The answer is, as quickly as its possible to do so.

Long live streams because the greed involved is getting silly

[mickey1975]

Don't buy it then.

The market will determine whether this should have been a PPV. I suspect there will be enough buys to prove it a correct decision.

A correct decision for the people making money out of the sport now, maybe. There aren't many kids in the gyms, though. A lack of affordable access to the sport on television is not the only reason for dipping popularity and lack of participation but it is a reason. The future of boxing will not be secured by a generation who grew up watching Tyson, Eubank, Benn etc for free and are now prepared to buy PPV because they've already got the bug.

To be honest,there are more people in gyms where i live (York) than ever before. For the first time,there are two amateur clubs and mma gyms and kickboxing clubs springing up all over the place.