BoxRec

Do you think fury will ever sell out a venue alone ? , look at the chisora fight .on paper it was a terrific match and if the Saunders / Eubank hadn't been on the show it wouldn't of sold .
Will you paying public get behind a big gypsy ? If he was a English kid off a council estate in Brentwood the whole country would be behind him .

I don't think it's necessarily Tyson Fury I think it's the british heavyweight scene. I'm not sure people are interested in it anymore, even with AJ it's just media hype.

Fury should be a massive draw if he can't sell out a venue then there is something deeper wrong. As indicated above UK heavies are undermining themselves as they don't fight enough.

1 nut wrote:Do you think fury will ever sell out a venue alone ? , look at the chisora fight .on paper it was a terrific match and if the Saunders / Eubank hadn't been on the show it wouldn't of sold .
Will you paying public get behind a big gypsy ? If he was a English kid off a council estate in Brentwood the whole country would be behind him .

I don't think it's anything to do with him being a gypsy, more his public persona.

For me, he's the most exciting TV fighter for ages.

Sales for the cancelled fight in Manchester were poor only had to look on the site selling them to see empty tickets though I thought they were pricey compared to Matchroom shows which have been there.

If he was with Matchroom from when they had the exclusive deal with Sky I'm sure he would be extremely popular.

If he fought at 9/10pm on ITV 1, he'd be Britian's top star. 15 million would watch. In fact, if ITV offered a few million to show a main fight, could they not sell loads of add space in between rounds to make it up?


As for arenas. He has a few nobheads follow he don't he? Was there not a story where some lads threatened someone out of their seat with the line "we are travellers, you better move" ? Does not help him sell tickets.

His background isn't the issue. His style isn't either, most of the time he is great value. He hasn't faced anyone who will draw in the punters yet either.

His biggest problem is his promotion so far. Matchroom would give him a lot more exposure. He doesn't do talkshows etc ( good thing in my opinion )
He has always seemed a quality bloke when away from the sport so maybe the odd Graham Norton appearance would do his popularity some good?

Not that it remotely bothers me, but a few mates reckon they would never go because of all the travellers getting drunk and thirsty for a fight themselves. Especially if Fury somehow got stretched out.

They think that security is that weak and self-concerned at most of these shows, that if 50 lads went nuts nothing would control it.

Not saying their fears are founded or not - but just adding their input to this thread.

I think Fury's his own man and he doesnt play the game the way some do,Mike Tyson was the same but he sold out shows because of hs style but he's the exception

Me personally i love watching Fury,providing he gets the big fights,i'd probably happily watch him over most fighters

Having a city behind you also helps,i know he's from Manchester but not in the same way Hatton was

SAPFO wrote:If he fought at 9/10pm on ITV 1, he'd be Britian's top star. 15 million would watch. In fact, if ITV offered a few million to show a main fight, could they not sell loads of add space in between rounds to make it up?


As for arenas. He has a few nobheads follow he don't he? Was there not a story where some lads threatened someone out of their seat with the line "we are travellers, you better move" ? Does not help him sell tickets.

15 million!

The highest rated TV programme of 2014 only had 13.9 million (England vs Uruguay)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... esult.html

Benn vs Eubank did have 16.3 million, but that was before eveyone had over a thousand channels!

Well, I may have exaggerated. Xfactor done 9.1 million. I reckon most of those would watch the boxing on ITV. TV execs really don't get it. Look at that Alex Reid joke a few years back on an obscure channel doing 835,000.

Fury should do I'm a Celeb next year. Imagine it "there ain't a man born from his mother that can eat more camel bollocks than me"

SAPFO wrote:Well, I may have exaggerated. Xfactor done 9.1 million. I reckon most of those would watch the boxing on ITV. TV execs really don't get it. Look at that Alex Reid joke a few years back on an obscure channel doing 835,000.

Fury should do I'm a Celeb next year. Imagine it "there ain't a man born from his mother that can eat more camel bollocks than me"

I don't think that the "gypsy" bit has anything to do with it.

The most popular boxers in recent years - Bruno, Naz and Hatton - were from very different backgrounds.

What they had in common was the cheeky personality to appeal to the average person in the street ( and a catchphrase or two doesn't do any harm either).

Fury doesn't know where to draw the line - he can be very funny but there is not a tv producer anywhere who would risk putting him on mainstream tv in case he goes overboard (the Channel 5 live rant about Price and Bellew being an example - I thought it was funny, but can see how many others would not).

As others have mentioned, there have been negative comments about his supporters behaviour since he was an amateur, and for this reason I wouldn't attend on of his shows.

If / when he loses, I reckon we will see stuff that we have never seen before at a boxing show.

The reaction from tv companies and advertisers and sponsors etc. will set the sport back years.

I'm not convinced it's a factor, but gipsy fans are often very rowdy, aggressive / intimidating and this may put off a lot of punters from going.

EG junior ABAs at York hall a few years ago

bripez wrote:As others have mentioned, there have been negative comments about his supporters behaviour since he was an amateur, and for this reason I wouldn't attend on of his shows.

If / when he loses, I reckon we will see stuff that we have never seen before at a boxing show.

The reaction from tv companies and advertisers and sponsors etc. will set the sport back years.

I echo this. I have been watching Fury's fights since his debut with a lot of interest and trying to get my friends/family with an interest in boxing to do the same (with some success as it happens!) That said, a lot of people I know are really put off by his persona - perhaps that will turn him into a successful villain, I don't know.

I think if he had carried on fighting on C5 that would have helped, but that was always going to come to an end eventually - I doubt they have the money to screen a world title challenge. The time he's spent out of the ring, while not his fault, certainly hasn't helped. And perhaps Tyson himself has lost faith in the business to a large degree - don't forget a couple years ago he'd hired Clifford as a publicist, was starting to appear on chatshows, etc.

But the likelihood is, while he continues to bring a fanbase to his fights that behaves the way it does, I'll be watching from home. I don't think we're going to "see stuff that we have never seen before at a boxing show" - Hagler v Minter has already happened - but I agree that it's not going to be pleasant ringside if and when the big man gets his comeuppance.

Him being a gypsy doesn't detract one iota from his all around image or appeal. In fact, in certain parts of the world, I am sure the gypsy persona adds an extra dimension that sells; its something of an old-world exotic, nostalgia quality there that reminds one of the Wild West. Him being of Irish descent, being brash and funny, combined with his size and all around skillset--- he would sell anywhere here in the States. He's a boxer with the mic talent of a wrestler, and he's not a bad looking guy either.

The only problem with him, is that boxing is just not as popular or as promoted and covered in the media as it once was--- could you imagine had he come around in the 80s? Holy sh!t he would of been far and away a bigger star than he is today. Hell, I'd argue that he is THE star at heavyweight now. Klitschko may be the champion, but when people talk about him its more on how he is bringing the division down, or that he's facing nothing but mediocre talents, etc. seldom is it ever positive.

The talk of Fury-Haye was about as heated and as big as I had seen in my lifetime surrounding a fight, and it wasn't even for a title. It seems to me, at least, that what also holds Fury back is really the rest of the division--- and the promoters. He had so many fights get pulled, cancelled, etc. for this reason or that reason. Outside of his uncle passing away, the rest of the reasons were because of his opponents. Fury is one of those men, come rain or shine, he'll show. He's a fighter you can always say is reliable in that regard. His opponents, on the other hand, not so much.

I think, if you had him matched with someone like Haye, on the Las Vegas strip (or Wembley, or Croke Park) on Saint Patrick's Day... you'd be talking HUGE interest, HUGE money, and HUGE ppv buys. Something that doesn't happen anymore at heavyweight. If done in Europe, one could sell it as the Battle of the Isles like Donnelly and Cooper. If done in the States, it would be called The War of The Worlds, the biggest international heavyweight contest in years: English vs Irish, White vs Black. I hate to say that, but considering how much an issue race has been here as of late, a giant white man and a brash fast black man--- would be tremendous. Or hell, Fury versus Wilder would be the same damn thing. Same interest and money and drawing power.

I think its all down to the fact that he appears unlikeable. Obviously I don't know him personally but he comes across as a right dick & far too full of himself for someone who has actually done very little in his career.

I'd certainly like to think his background has nothing to do with it.

You quite like Fury don't you Henry? - I didn't realise as you have never mentioned him before in any of your previous posts

HomicideHenry wrote:Him being a gypsy doesn't detract one iota from his all around image or appeal. In fact, in certain parts of the world, I am sure the gypsy persona adds an extra dimension that sells; its something of an old-world exotic, nostalgia quality there that reminds one of the Wild West. Him being of Irish descent, being brash and funny, combined with his size and all around skillset--- he would sell anywhere here in the States. He's a boxer with the mic talent of a wrestler, and he's not a bad looking guy either.

The only problem with him, is that boxing is just not as popular or as promoted and covered in the media as it once was--- could you imagine had he come around in the 80s? Holy sh!t he would of been far and away a bigger star than he is today. Hell, I'd argue that he is THE star at heavyweight now. Klitschko may be the champion, but when people talk about him its more on how he is bringing the division down, or that he's facing nothing but mediocre talents, etc. seldom is it ever positive.

The talk of Fury-Haye was about as heated and as big as I had seen in my lifetime surrounding a fight, and it wasn't even for a title. It seems to me, at least, that what also holds Fury back is really the rest of the division--- and the promoters. He had so many fights get pulled, cancelled, etc. for this reason or that reason. Outside of his uncle passing away, the rest of the reasons were because of his opponents. Fury is one of those men, come rain or shine, he'll show. He's a fighter you can always say is reliable in that regard. His opponents, on the other hand, not so much.

I think, if you had him matched with someone like Haye, on the Las Vegas strip (or Wembley, or Croke Park) on Saint Patrick's Day... you'd be talking HUGE interest, HUGE money, and HUGE ppv buys. Something that doesn't happen anymore at heavyweight. If done in Europe, one could sell it as the Battle of the Isles like Donnelly and Cooper. If done in the States, it would be called The War of The Worlds, the biggest international heavyweight contest in years: English vs Irish, White vs Black. I hate to say that, but considering how much an issue race has been here as of late, a giant white man and a brash fast black man--- would be tremendous. Or hell, Fury versus Wilder would be the same damn thing. Same interest and money and drawing power.

All I hear thesedays about Wlad is positive talk.

I imagine you got a little misty eyed typing that out Henry!

Worth noting Fury's "Irishness" came about when he was overlooked in favour of Price for England/Britain when selecting a super heavy for Beijing qualification tournaments and, by coincidence, Fury went Irish again when Price was the challenger for his British title and his handlers didn't want the fight for whatever reason.

Fury is a nice guy ( from what I've seen ) away from the bollocks that surrounds most fights. I think he'd be better off sticking to being himself and showing that side of him more often if he wants to build a fanbase. That's assuming he wants to of course. He might not care one bit about how popular he is.

lillywhite14 wrote:
Worth noting Fury's "Irishness" came about when he was overlooked in favour of Price for England/Britain when selecting a super heavy for Beijing qualification tournaments

If I remember correctly he never representing Ireland as he was unable to prove any Irish heritage.

Fury could be a great crossover star, he is funny, likeable, and loves to talk. I mean we all look forward to his interviews as he's feckin nuts. It is just that unpredictability with him live that is the problem.

moogie101 wrote:I think its all down to the fact that he appears unlikeable. Obviously I don't know him personally but he comes across as a right dick & far too full of himself for someone who has actually done very little in his career.

I'd certainly like to think his background has nothing to do with it.

Harsh to say he's 'done very little' having won the English, Irish, British, commonwealth and European titles by the age of 25. Wasn't he the youngest British title holder or something? Sure he held some record like that.

The point is he prob has ten years ahead of him, and already achieved more than most fighters ever will. I honestly think some fans just will not give him credit regardless, and then feel offended when he puts himself first.

I enjoy Tyson but sometimes when listening you can hear the line being crossed and him going far from it. That's why he seems to have little appeal.

If Tyson was in a genuine big fight against a genuine big name from the heavyweight world then he would suddenly get loads of Brits backing him. But he can make himself look a fool, abuses price ten vacates the British title when he was mandatory.

That said I believe he has a bright future and once wlad retires I can see some battles of Britain between him and Joshua. 2 huge heavyweights on the biggest stage fighting the biggest fights. What the HW needs

bripez wrote:I don't think that the "gypsy" bit has anything to do with it.

The most popular boxers in recent years - Bruno, Naz and Hatton - were from very different backgrounds.

What they had in common was the cheeky personality to appeal to the average person in the street ( and a catchphrase or two doesn't do any harm either).

Fury doesn't know where to draw the line - he can be very funny but there is not a tv producer anywhere who would risk putting him on mainstream tv in case he goes overboard (the Channel 5 live rant about Price and Bellew being an example - I thought it was funny, but can see how many others would not).

As others have mentioned, there have been negative comments about his supporters behaviour since he was an amateur, and for this reason I wouldn't attend on of his shows.

If / when he loses, I reckon we will see stuff that we have never seen before at a boxing show.

The reaction from tv companies and advertisers and sponsors etc. will set the sport back years.

What they had in common was they all started their careers on mainstream TV. As for the risk of a rant with Fury, look at that idiot Clarkson. He is bullet proof because he pulls in viewers who are hoping to see him say stupid things. Viewers love car crash TV and that is what Fury is.

The key with any fighters popularity/unpopularity will always rest in the amount of coverage they get to a mainstream audience. Of course personality plays a part but both Naz and Eubanks as another example came across as a*@holes on TV, but people loved to tune in probably with the hope both would get chinned.

bripez wrote:

lillywhite14 wrote:
Worth noting Fury's "Irishness" came about when he was overlooked in favour of Price for England/Britain when selecting a super heavy for Beijing qualification tournaments

If I remember correctly he never representing Ireland as he was unable to prove any Irish heritage.

Managed to prove it in the end to fight for the Irish title, he'd already boxed for Ireland a few times before the protest about his eligibility.