Boxing 4 Real - Beavis & Butthead of the online community

[johnswan1]

I trust most people have at some point in the past watched at least a couple of mins of these guys? They used to make a weekly boxing show broadcast from their couch for youtube (probably a take on Maxboxings "The Next Round") where some baldy geek and his stoner mate "Iron Truth" would discuss and give out their opinions on upcoming bouts and boxing news.

Anyway, I just remembered them recently and looked them up only to find that "Iron Truth" appeared to have walked out, leaving Baldy to broadcast from his garden shed before canning the whole thing a few weeks later. Oh well, the idea & intention was good if nothing else.....

Now to my point. I always thought that a periodic internet broadcast of a British based boxing discussion show would have a lot of potential if done right. Perhaps if this was done properly and with a forum of known & respected online British boxing writers & the occasional guest, this is something I think would increase traffic significantly if alligned to one of the British Boxing websites? Certainly appears to be a place for this considering the demise of Ringside & assuming the small market share for something like Bunceys Boxing Hour on Setanta?

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, here is a link to the last known episode of Baldy & Iron Truth together. It was so bad it was worth watching at least once.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZkxgkrYeok

[Captain Hook]

I'm up for it John, have you got a shed?

[DavidPayne]

I'll bring the dips.

[Poncey]

They have matching trousers. Bless.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

I'd be happy to lend a hand, providing i had a private trailer and sizeable clothes and make-up budget

[EddieShredder]

and sizeable clothes

Why, are you obese?

[Poncey]

I'd be happy to help and chuck a few quid in.

How easy is it to get a videopodcast done?

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

and sizeable clothes

Why, are you obese?

ha!

[DavidPayne]

Nobody said anything about putting money in....steady Emerson....I'm from Yorkshire, careful with the swear words.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Can we do it in Nana Plaza?


And do we really need to talk about boxing?



and forget the cameras too, while i think on

[Poncey]

Would it be best to split it by area?

I.e. Dooley take Manchester (someone to work subtitles), DP for Yorkshire, KG is a Northerner I thought, Hook takes Wales (subtitles again) and then John takes London and I'm left with, err, the tea and biscuits.

[johnswan1]

I think KG would be best suited reporting live from Patpong in Bangkok. Obviously not on anything boxing related.

I actually think that a show like this would be a big hit (be it online or otherwise) and would be also be of benefit to the various TV companies (BBC, ITV, Sky & Setanta) aswell as promoters of shows that would otherwise receive little attention.

In order to succeed this sort of thing would need to be managed professionally from the beginning. Issues would be:

- funding of start up costs to at least produce a pilot before even thinking about any sponsorship.
- obtaining the use of a studio & editor/producer (possible to get somebody for very little or nothing if using a university student requiring project experience).
- recruitment of an anchor and formation of a (at least temporary) discussion panel of online writers.
- establishing a show format (e.g. British & Irish scene followed by World).
- co-ordinating a suitable time & location.
- time involved in creating something like this that would effectively be (at least initially) unpaid work and a lot of time. Online writers on the forum would benefit from advertisement of their site & increased name recognition.
- copyright of film clips & photographs (preferable to have, although not essential).

Based on the fact that competition is non-existent, I'd expect to see some significant "word of mouth" interest in the UK & Ireland. Once established it would probably become quite easy to obtain permission for gym visits, filmed interviews etc, perhaps even the occasional guest (I'm sure Spud would make himself available if budgets were very tight). Who knows, maybe even the BBC would want to pick it up?!

Worth having a think about.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

I really like the idea as well, although i can imagine it would go the way of similar projects of this this nature (everyone really enthusiastic at 1st, until everyone realises that its lots of hard work for no money)

Imagine the 1st show, who will be the special guest??? Haye? Khan? Audley? Maloney? Hatton???


Then out walks Spud, chewing gum with his mouth open...

1st question

"Ummm so how did you get started in boxing then, Spud?"

and so on

[DavidPayne]

Frank Maloney has twice discussed the notion of inviting a panel, comprising boxing figures and some internet hacks for a round table, filming it and broadcasting it.

It never came to anything.

The idea has legs but it needs a champion and a few bob.

[Shirow]

John, You've given this some serious thought.
I've watched Beavis & Butthead once before. I couldn't believe those dozy hillbillies would have even heard of the internet.

Cityboxer tried to do this but didn't have the discipline to keep at it. I'd be up for it. I've got a video camera, editing software and a website if it was needed. I also know a freelance BBC cameraman but the Maxboxing thing is low budget but it's obviously researched/organised properly.
Emerson has confirmed he will provide all the financial backing we need so let's go!

You'd think that Setanta or Sky would have done something like this to tempt people into getting subscriptions. Of course if someone else was to build up a loyal following perhaps they might buy it out.

Finally i was watching Louis Theroux repeats the other day and i wondered if the BBC will ever come up with public access tv especially in the age of iplayer. It's been in the US for 20+ years.

[Poncey]

If it helps, a friend of mine's boyfriend is the BBC's technology journalist so we may have a way in there. I know a Director, which may be of use. Doesn't really help the Northerners mind.

Also, I'd recommend Shirow. His Cityboxer stuff was good whilst it lasted.

I didn't say I'd fund a fecking TV station, mind!

[stujones]

I'd certainly be interested in having an on air discussion with Mr Dooley on Tyson vs Lewis prime for prime!.

It is something I've contimplated doing myself.... have you seen the other guy who gives his fight opinions on the weeks events for up coming shows.... often having his pick in his envolope and revealing after the fight (oh yeah!). Thought about doing something like that, but always in the end thought it is a bit egotistical - there are far more many guys here who know more than me and I would imagine more "presentable" than me.

But sure I think it should be started cheaply (like Beavis and Butt head) first of all and built up.

[johnswan1]

I will give this a bit of thought over the weekend.

I may be interested in getting involved in something like this - but more interested in the organisation, co-ordination & behind the scenes side i.e. part of the project management. Would also have to consider the time involved - I wouldn't mind the unpaid aspect of it but would need to be realistic about the time I would be able to commit, same for anybody else involved.

Might be worth having a London meet up at some point if there are any key interested parties from here to discuss further.

Obviously something like this would require a person or couple of people to have an overall say, which may not be to everybodys liking. If taken seriously it would have to be reasonably controlled and not be a simple free for all i.e. those involved would need to have something of significance to add to any project. Without one or two key decision makers heading it up I think any progress would be difficult.

[Captain Hook]

If it helps, a friend of mine's boyfriend is the BBC's technology journalist so we may have a way in there. I know a Director, which may be of use. Doesn't really help the Northerners mind.

Also, I'd recommend Shirow. His Cityboxer stuff was good whilst it lasted.

I didn't say I'd fund a fecking TV station, mind!

My best mate has just directed his first short and is a production manager in Soho with a firm called MJZ. He was on the Guinness shoot etc etc....could call on him for a bit of help, and I've done plenty of video journalism......let's get it on :)

[Poncey]

Filming your neighbour in the shower isn't video journalism, Hook. How many more times do I have to tell you?!

[Captain Hook]

My sides nearly split.....oh hang on, no they didn't.


Pair of pudenda :)

[jamesmcdonnell]

Wanted to do this myself, but the problem is, there's nobody near me to do it with, for some reason all the boxing people I know are northern monkeys, there's only be and Kev in London sadly.

[DavidPayne]

Oh bless.

I'm only an hour way Jamesy.

[Flashing Blade]

As most of the content ideas suggested have been discussions and interviews- wouldn't it make more sense to put together a podcast.

Producing a podcast is simple and requires virtually zero investment. Othe plusses are: you can do everything over the phone, so travelling isn't a problem, you can get instant worldwide distribution through i-tunes and you can do it naked if you want.

[m1kee50]

Wanted to do this myself, but the problem is, there's nobody near me to do it with, for some reason all the boxing people I know are northern monkeys, there's only be and Kev in London sadly.

Im East London.