Boxing @ the O2

[nobleart1978]

I would be interested to read your experiences of going there to watch the boxing.

Thinking of going sometime.

What is the hotel situation like, parking, or do you go on the train...

Done some sums and coming down from Birmimgham and staying over, its an expensive weekend.

[littlepug]

Went with the mrs to see Haye v Enzo Mac, was an expensive trip ! The 02 is full of the usual bars and restaurants and wasn’t cheap as I remember, we got a hotel room right across the road (can’t remember name) which was lucky as there were thousands stranded after as the fight didn’t end till the early hours and there was no public transport, don’t know about parking as we got the train, as with all stadium fights the view can be a bit naff but cracking atmosphere,all in all was a good experience if a little costly so make sure it’s a must see fight for you to make it worth your while

[maverick23]

I’ve been to loads of shows (both boxing and UFC) at the O2 over the last 10-15 years. It’s one of my favourite places for a big fight.

I’d say it’s only really worthwhile if you get tickets to the floor or lower tier. The upper tier views aren’t too great.

The food and drink are super expensive in their arena and the restaurants just outside the arena but in the O2 which can also be fairly expensive. I’d normally go somewhere a few tube stops away for a few drinks and food and then get to the arena for the first fight and then just have a couple of beers at the show.

If I’m not staying in London after the fight I normally try and dash to the tube station as soon as the last fight finishes. You can often get a tube/train without too much queuing. You then might be able to an off peak ticket back to Birmingham.

I’ve driven and parked at the O2 before as well. It’s quite expensive for the parking but it’s also a bitch to get out of the car park. It’s taken over an hour before just to get 1/2 mile away from the arena.

[Hobbitey123]

Recently went to the o2 twice for Whyte/Parker and for cheeseman Garcia. Sat in lower tier for Whyte and on floor seats row B for Cheeseman.

Have to say I much preferred the lower tier seats from a purists point of view you can see more of what's going on ring generalship etc. Either way you're getting much better value than AJ in a stadium fight unless you're just looking to get hammered.

Beers are expensive bit to he expected really. Doubletree by Hilton near o2 often do deals, within walking distance to o2 and offer free parking

[3132DW]

Got the boat down river from London Eye - beer on board and chill out and drops you right at the o2 itself.

[skanksta]

I seen Hatton vs some bald fella can’t remember his name. Was terrible layout

Er ?
It's one of the best venues and - he didn't fight there, did he ?
checking Boxrec...

No he didn't.
You might be thinking of Thaxton @ Wembley Conference Centre ?
Couldn't be more different.

[MarkMcBurney]

Decent all round, easy enough to get to (I drive and park in the car park there. Bloody expensive at £20 but much easier and well designed for getting out of). I found the views from the upper tier ok for the price you pay, but if you have a problem with heights avoid the top tier like the plague, its horrendously steep.

[nobleart1978]

Driving down for me it would be the M40, M25, M11 then onto the A12 and through the Blackwall Tunnel.

Anybody been through the Blackwall Tunnel ?

[levi billups]

I went to the Eubank-DeGale fight and had lower tier seats. The fight wasn't up to much, but the seats were very good and I remember thinking I was glad to be there rather than on the floor. The very high up seats looked an awful long way away.

'Official' on-site parking was an eye-watering £28, - I'm sure there are better ways to do this bit - but I was away reasonably quickly and through the Blackwall tunnel without any difficulty. Restaurants in the O2 weren't too bad; plenty of choice and reasonable service given so many people are there of an evening.

[skanksta]

Driving down for me it would be the M40, M25, M11 then onto the A12 and through the Blackwall Tunnel.

Anybody been through the Blackwall Tunnel ?

Blackwall tunnel is a notorious blackspot - takes hours sometimes.
Rotherhithe tunnel is always clearer.
Madness to drive anyway - £20 to park and the tube/bus/cable-car are nearer than the car park.

[maverick23]

Driving down for me it would be the M40, M25, M11 then onto the A12 and through the Blackwall Tunnel.

Anybody been through the Blackwall Tunnel ?

Blackwall tunnel is a notorious blackspot - takes hours sometimes.
Rotherhithe tunnel is always clearer.
Madness to drive anyway - £20 to park and the tube/bus/cable-car are nearer than the car park.

Yeah - more often than not I’ve been waiting ages at the Blackwell tunnel. When I went to watch Brook v Golovkin, James Degale was in the car in front of me leaving the car park. As people were walking past though people kept bugging him for photos. It was nice of him to do but it probably cost us 20 minutes!

[MarkMcBurney]

Driving down for me it would be the M40, M25, M11 then onto the A12 and through the Blackwall Tunnel.

Anybody been through the Blackwall Tunnel ?

Blackwall tunnel is a notorious blackspot - takes hours sometimes.
Rotherhithe tunnel is always clearer.
Madness to drive anyway - £20 to park and the tube/bus/cable-car are nearer than the car park.

Yeah - more often than not I’ve been waiting ages at the Blackwell tunnel. When I went to watch Brook v Golovkin, James Degale was in the car in front of me leaving the car park. As people were walking past though people kept bugging him for photos. It was nice of him to do but it probably cost us 20 minutes!

Not relatee to the O2 in anyway but that reminds me of when I drove to Froch v Groves 2; I got there early and pulled up in the car park next to a swanky looking Mercedes, out of which got Phil Taylor. What a fornicating prick that fella is.

[MarkMcBurney]

I seen Hatton vs some bald fella can’t remember his name. Was terrible layout

Er ?
It's one of the best venues and - he didn't fight there, did he ?
checking Boxrec...

No he didn't.
You might be thinking of Thaxton @ Wembley Conference Centre ?
Couldn't be more different.

If wasnt thaxton. The bald guy was black. And foreign.... can’t remmeber his name

Ray Oliveira? At the ExCel?

[afcmarshall]

I normally get the tube back to Stanmore takes about 45 minutes then I grab a cab. Loads do this and park there as is near m1 so easy to then head north. Jubilee line is 24 hours now at weekends so dont need to worry about missing the last one.

[MarkMcBurney]

I seen Hatton vs some bald fella can’t remember his name. Was terrible layout

Er ?
It's one of the best venues and - he didn't fight there, did he ?
checking Boxrec...

No he didn't.
You might be thinking of Thaxton @ Wembley Conference Centre ?
Couldn't be more different.

If wasnt thaxton. The bald guy was black. And foreign.... can’t remmeber his name

Ray Oliveira? At the ExCel?

My mistake yeah it was that fight have they changed the name?

No mate, it is a different venue, albeit very, very close to the O2 - across the river next to City Airport.