Modernising Boxing

[SAPFO]

If you trawl though my history, you will that I've mentioned multiple times how I think boxing needs to adopt a studio setting, similar to how they are doing it through Covid, to allow fighters to have less pressure to sell tickets, and for good fighters who don't have a following, to have a platform. I think now is the time to change...

Frank & Eddie could run their own platform, similar to allegedly. Matchroom could run their snooker & darts on the platform, and Frank & Eddie can run regular studio fights for those guys who never get a look in, but us hardcore will watch regardless. New guys will emerge this way, and new stories will unfold that may lead onto the bigger shows.

Frank & Eddie could make cross stable fights easily. And we could tune into worldwide cards as with allegedly.

Take away all the Sky/BT bias & commitments. Keep it competitive having two promoters. Have Kugan, Jane, whoever... run interviews, follow camps etc..

The more guys, even lesser ranked you get onto TV, the more new eyes you will get. I'm fed up of networks, their PC crap coming in, & their bias.

[dalcumly]

I'm not far away from liking your idea.
An exclusive boxing channel, with a few hours each evening, funded by advertisers and sponsors open to all promoters to buy into a slot. The fights could be in studios or with restricted attendance and free to view for fans.
A whole new range of commentators ( probably local to each show), and a change from Saturday nights to any night of the week. The economics trouble me. However if a good level of audience was achieved then the advertising would come in. The small promoters would save on venue and stewarding costs, but I feel some boxers would have to be a bit more realistic when it comes to purses. I know that none of us wants to see our fighters earnings restricted, but 'needs must'. Too many young boxers making the step have heard stories of how much somebody is earning and think they can ask inflated prices. Those days are gone.

[stujones]

I'm a bit old fashioned when it comes to TV etc - but always thought (before allegedly) that other promoters should work together to get a platform / channel on Sky / Netflix. £5 / £10 a month - Life fights, interviews etc. Not sure about the "studio" idea though, there still needs a live gate - these fights lack atmosphere.

[SAPFO]

I like the local aspect, bring a new dimension to it. Our local rag media would be a great outlet as they themselves lack original content a lot of the time, so they could be used to pump up fights.

BT are a good example of the studio fight. I get your lack of atmosphere, but arena fights will sell themselves, this is for the rest. The trade fights, the low rung of the ladder climbers, the dark horses. It’’d give boxing more depth, and open doors & storylines for everyone.


Imagine as a fighter who’s most likely got a day job as well...

“We’ve matched you for 17th Oct on ‘fight camp live’, have a good camp, check in weekly. Win this one & you’ll be back Dec/Jan all being week.”

Or

“Sell 100 tickets or you ain’t on the show”

[margaret thatcher]

Ya funny thing is I actually find myself liking the studio set up type thing, and Ed's backyard, these covid setups are fine by me

Let's be honest too, a lot of cards, like more than half the seats are empty and seeing the crowd just looks flat

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ya funny thing is I actually find myself liking the studio set up type thing, and Ed's backyard, these covid setups are fine by me

Let's be honest too, a lot of cards, like more than half the seats are empty and seeing the crowd just looks flat

Yeh. Would rather see an empty arena that one with half capacity.

Should just hire out the bloody York Hall most the time’s.

[Wee Tommy]

I like hearing the sounds of the actual fight rather than the crowd chanting a load of pish. I’ve much preferred the UFC fights without the crowd too.

[coneye]

personaly i tune in to watch the fights ,, Could'nt really care less about the crowds , celebritys trying to get there face on the tv , coked up piss heads singing sweet caroline , or women with fake tans and tits hanging out

[Wee Tommy]

personaly i tune in to watch the fights ,, Could'nt really care less about the crowds , celebritys trying to get there face on the tv , coked up piss heads singing sweet caroline , or women with fake tans and tits hanging out

Tans and tits are sound enough but agree on the rest

[Boxing Prospect]

There's a few Japanese promoters who are looking doing there own thing away from TV that might be some what relevant here.

The people who run Dangan cards have BoxingRaise.com, a monthly subscription that costs about ¥980 (about £7) which usually has 1 live show a month, 3 or 4 new tape delay shows (sometimes same day), and a 2000+ fight archive.

Very much domestic level cards with Dangan, Kadoebi, Midori, Morioka and other small local promoters working together. Recent added a few 1 on 1 sit down interviews and some free (non member content).

Boxingraise has been around for about 4 years now and their archive keeps growing.

Another is Asign boxing which started as a pay service, selling individual cards at about ¥300 (about £2), but have now gone to YouTube with a free model, helped by tips and donations. Before their last show they did a special streamed sparring event with some of the fighters and documentaries with each of the fighters on the show. One of those raised ¥780,000 in donations from crowd funding, as well as selling show naming rights and other rewards. As well as access to a "salon", showing behind the scenes content, and allowing a back and forth between fans and fighters.

The guy behind the Asign idea is Ichitaro Ishii, who is starting to build a reputation as being a very progressive promoter who's looking into technology and things in a way most promoters aren't.

Going to be interesting to see what happens with both of these going forward.

Also the YouTube channel REAL BOXING seems to be picking up live streaming rights to some Japanese small shows, and showing them for free, to give promoters a media outlet. Suruga Boy will be streaming their next event themselves later this month, and have turned to crowd funding to offset costs.

Shirai Gushiken used to stream their events back in the day

....going to be interesting to see how this sort of thing develops, as it's certainly growing in the wake of covid

[SAPFO]

Interesting, cheers for that,

On the content side. They could visit gyms, and I’d like to see the ABAs covered too. There is plenty of potential out there.

[Delta Jay]

Interesting, cheers for that,

On the content side. They could visit gyms, and I’d like to see the ABAs covered too. There is plenty of potential out there.

ABAs live on BBC doesn’t have to be 1 or 2 on the red button or something would be brilliant. Love that.

I love going the shows more than anything but anything what increases the amount of boxing on telly is fine by me.

[Cholo_cws]

What would be wrong with showing 'decent 'journeyman' (who don't sell tickets anyway) being matched against each other in a studio being paid via the tv money and with bigger fights in the offing for the winner. Could be mini-tournament formats. If matched well it would make a change to see competitive matches instead of the usual prospect v hand-picked virtual no-hopers. Needs must etc. The likes of Barrie Jones, Richie Woodhall, Spencer Oliver would probably make good consultants in deciding who could feature.

[SAPFO]

What would be wrong with showing 'decent 'journeyman' (who don't sell tickets anyway) being matched against each other in a studio being paid via the tv money and with bigger fights in the offing for the winner. Could be mini-tournament formats. If matched well it would make a change to see competitive matches instead of the usual prospect v hand-picked virtual no-hopers. Needs must etc. The likes of Barrie Jones, Richie Woodhall, Spencer Oliver would probably make good consultants in deciding who could feature.

Nailed it. We want competitive fights that mean it all to both men. They don’t have to be top 10 ranked. People wank themselves silly over the likes of KSI, and some questionable MMA boxing.

[coneye]

What would be wrong with showing 'decent 'journeyman' (who don't sell tickets anyway) being matched against each other in a studio being paid via the tv money and with bigger fights in the offing for the winner. Could be mini-tournament formats. If matched well it would make a change to see competitive matches instead of the usual prospect v hand-picked virtual no-hopers. Needs must etc. The likes of Barrie Jones, Richie Woodhall, Spencer Oliver would probably make good consultants in deciding who could feature.

I knew a guy , who used to do quite a few shows , and 9 fights out of 10 were great matchups , Off course the main event house fighter he was always involved with ususally got an easy fight , he would tell me often , the trick to a good show is even matchups , , he would give anyone a go , even guys who would be lets say useless ,, But his attitude was if i can find another uesless boxer , we will get a good scrap .

He used to say to me , Get me two guys who can't fight , and has long as they both think they CAN fight , i'm gonna get a good entertaining fight on my show ,and keep the cost down ,, and most times he was correct ,, great matchmaker for his shows .

[Coco]

In the 90's with the Midland dinner circuit, all the tickets were sold to business sorts so nobody had to worry about selling tickets.
Most of the fights were journeymen in need of wins fighting each other, and often at the top of the bill would be a midland area title fight, often between decent journeymen.
The wages were bottom dollar but journeymen picked up wins and some had the chance to win an area title.
The fights were usually pretty good

[Cholo_cws]

Not sure if this would work but I'll put it forward. Using Hennessy's shows on Five as an example, how about six willing, evenly matched and fan friendly lower level boxers from the same weight class being matched in say three 8-round bouts as undercard to a main event. The same boxers can appear against each other again on the next tv show 8-10 weeks later but viewers phone/text in after these first bouts (and during the rest of the show/night) who they want matched against whom for the next show. So viewers are effectively being the matchmaker. The three most voted for matchups (involving two differing boxers) would then take place at the next show. I don't know how much it would cost to set up or much about Five's viewing figures but terrestrial tv might be the best option for it to work and it might be a way of generating some income. Obviously picking the right boxers initially is key to generating interest. No doubt good performances will increase texts generated. Any injuries sustained is clearly a hurdle to overcome too.

[cormack]

personaly i tune in to watch the fights ,, Could'nt really care less about the crowds , celebritys trying to get there face on the tv , coked up piss heads singing sweet caroline , or women with fake tans and tits hanging out

I am ok with their tits hanging out