I Hate prizefighter(no spoilers)

[thepocketrocket]

God, this is killing me from the inside..all thse fights are tosh...we all know that if two guys go for a knockout it ends up an ugly maul and yet again we have the proof...

What happened to having summet John Jo Irwin-Alex Moon as your first fight, building up the British end into a big fight, the repeating the process in America??

This is truly awful and is just boxing being dumbed down..roll on Matthew Hatton getting decked by Tackie

[Eraserhead]

Have to say I agree, though 'hate's probably a little strong. It's still the most entertaining thing Sky Sports have produced in the last 12 months, boxing-wise. Though that's not saying much.

I enjoyed the first heavyweight series purely from a curiosity angle - it was something new and relatively fresh - but the format has gotten tired really quick. I like the whole UFC influence, but the Prizefighter series lacks one of many things the UFC boasts - quality. It's all well and good having a similar format (lots of short, evenly-matched fights), but the quality is woeful at times. We seem to be fed a steady stream of raw novices and old veterans. Granted, these can make for good fights now and again but, on the whole, I'm just not feeling it anymore.

The UFC works for the kids of today because, yes, it's condensed, it's quick, it's explosive and it's a great night out - but, above all else, the UFC puts on the best fights and best fighters. Nothing's watered down. They don't rely on curiosity or two donkeys to make a derby.

Hey, I'll say one thing - Murray-Renda tonight was pretty great. Probably the best fight since that first heavyweight final (Rogan-Dolan).

[Autobarn]

Yet it does allow good prospects like Murray to come through.

We learned more about Murray, than a year's worth of slow learning fights would have shown. Because he's fought 3 people on the same night. The lad's had some real competitive action - partly because the format in which you have to get your licks in quickly -, has gained some profile on the domestic scene and can move on positively from this.

[Spud]

Disagree - anything at all that increases the profile of boxing is good news - we are the avid fans of the sport and thus we are far more critical - but to those that still need to be encouraged into the sport - any news is good news.

Lets not get too fussy - think the concept is very good !! - just needs a few tweaks here and there.

[Horse]

I am not a big fan of Prizefighter, but tonight's tournament was very entertaining. If they keep the formula that worked for this tournament, then I think Prizefighter will be a good thing for British boxing.

[Coco]

Tonights fights were very entertaining, it provides the the opportunity to give fighters exposure and earn good money. It may not be for the purists, but it helps bring fans and interest back in the game in the same way as the contender does.

[Asterix]

I've been to 3 of the 4 Prizefighters (I was there tonight) and I think they're great entertainment. If you don't like it, don't watch it. ;;-)

[Asterix]

roll on Matthew Hatton getting decked by Tackie

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

[Twinkle Toes]

I don't think anyone should take pocket seriously anymore - Has he ever got a prediction right

[whicker]

I think this prizefighter was good- it served a purpose, too- a warm up before the Hatton fight. I think that is a great timeslot- have the prizefighter (which is entertaining and easy to follow) on before a big fight. Gets people nicely warmed up.

[ArtOfWar]

For me the crap thing about prizefighter is the results actually go on the fighters records. These guy's can fight three times in a night and get three wins. It's just not professional boxing.

[Autobarn]

When you look at a prospect like Martin Murray - he can really box, he was a good amateur apparently. But has he had any competitive fights prior to this in the pros? The fact that he was fighting guys who badly wanted to win will have benefited his career, I reckon. Yes, it took him out of his composed boxing eventually, and he had to fight down to the fit and enthusiastic Renda. But having 3 wins & being Prize Fighter winner won't hurt his career progress. Hopefully all his fights will be on Sky now.

[whicker]

For me the crap thing about prizefighter is the results actually go on the fighters records. These guy's can fight three times in a night and get three wins. It's just not professional boxing.

That is just being pedantic. They take part in three bouts, so three results go on the record.

Also, when you think about it, a fighter's record is just for information really- its not like (for example) the points that a football team gets. IE it doesn't actually really make a difference to anything. They never say "You need 4 straight wins, or a 75% win record to fight for the European title." Other than sounding good, it doesn't affect anything.

[stujones]

I agree that the Prizefighter has its place, should it be "taking over" from other TV fights though... I say no.

Last nights was exciting, but for a PPV I would rather see say 2 British titles and an intercontinental belt on the line in 3 fights for the UK leg. It was a little lazy of Sky, cause I imagine although it would sound hard on paper to organise - I reckon it is really dead simple. I'm sure loads of unattatched fighters would crave for the chance to fight on TV for £25K.

[WildWaylon]

I am not a big fan of Prizefighter, but tonight's tournament was very entertaining. If they keep the formula that worked for this tournament, then I think Prizefighter will be a good thing for British boxing.

I agree, good entertainment. Danny Butler looks pretty good, I want to see more of him.

[WildWaylon]

I think this prizefighter was good- it served a purpose, too- a warm up before the Hatton fight. I think that is a great timeslot- have the prizefighter (which is entertaining and easy to follow) on before a big fight. Gets people nicely warmed up.

I agree and this IMO was the best yet. Renda fought his heart out, shame about the KD.

[Asterix]

I am not a big fan of Prizefighter, but tonight's tournament was very entertaining. If they keep the formula that worked for this tournament, then I think Prizefighter will be a good thing for British boxing.

I agree, good entertainment. Danny Butler looks pretty good, I want to see more of him.

Butler's style is exactly the style I don't like watching. Too much spoiling and no power. I was hoping he'd get knocked out. I saw Jane Couch with him. I didn't realise she was promoting now. She's obviously done a good job; he had tonnes of fans there (3 sides of the room were dominated with his fans!)

[thepocketrocket]

I don't think anyone should take pocket seriously anymore - Has he ever got a prediction right

Very funny, I picked Hatton on points lol

BTW, well done to Matthew Hatton, excellent performance, never thought he had it in him....

Im glad a lot of you like Prizefighter, each to their own...but its lowest common denomenator...what did we really learn last night though? These fighters were in such a rush that the fights looked like rucks outside Picadilly 21's, you may enjoy that but I prefer to get the 42 to Rusholme for a curry...

It was holding and spoiling and trying to get a few extra shots in...also hoping your fans scored more on the clapometer so the judges score for you...

If it gets fighters some exposure the good, but in my opinion the 'fans' we are picking up will soon ask 'where are the knockouts?' and go off to watch UFC...

[charlieb]

I am not a big fan of Prizefighter, but tonight's tournament was very entertaining. If they keep the formula that worked for this tournament, then I think Prizefighter will be a good thing for British boxing.

I agree, good entertainment. Danny Butler looks pretty good, I want to see more of him.

Butler's style is exactly the style I don't like watching. Too much spoiling and no power. I was hoping he'd get knocked out. I saw Jane Couch with him. I didn't realise she was promoting now. She's obviously done a good job; he had tonnes of fans there (3 sides of the room were dominated with his fans!)

He looked god awful to me, if there was a fighter in the draw who could be replaced, I'd pick him.

[Horse]

He looked god awful to me, if there was a fighter in the draw who could be replaced, I'd pick him.

Danny Butler was 13-0 and brought a lot of fans. I thought his inclusion added to the excitement of the event.

I think they need at least two decent undefeated prospects for every Prizefighter tournament.

[Coco]

I actually thought Butler sneaked it against Murray, he smothered Murrays work, spoiling him effectively, and I thought he was a bit busier.

Danny Butler is Ronnie Butler's son, who runs all the doors in Bristol, he had a documentary made bout him a number of years back, they had a transit van(battlebus) running around sorting people out etc

[Autobarn]

I thought Murray well outboxed Butler in the 1st 2 rounds. So much the classier shots, and these shots are all the difference especially in close rounds. Butler spoiled, held, swarmed and caused a rd 3 stalemate. Butler tried very hard in the 3rd stanza, maybe nicked it, maybe got s share of the session. Being the smaller man (natural light middle) he must have found it hard in there. Had it 2 rds Murray, 1 rd Butler, without a doubt.

Reckon Murray would beat Butler more clearly in a regular fight, especially with about 8 rds. Doubt they will ever fight each other again, as they are different weights it seems.

[Poncey]

Provided we only see 1 or 2 per traditional weight class per year, I have no problem with it. Maybe a super Prizefighter every year where the two winners face off from each division.

[Lenny]

I thought it was close between Murray and Butler but was praying for them to give it to Murray for the sake of the final. There was always a good chance Murray and Renda would give each other room to tee off whereas you knew exactly he tactics Butler was going to bring. Pressure, mauling, spoiling. Whilst people appreciate the prizefighter winner is just that, and not the best in the country, then I don't see a problem with it.

[DavidPayne]

Sky and the promoter must be pissing themselves.

They get 7 fights of short length, easy to manage, no TBA and a format even an idiot could understand.

And for this you have a total bill roughly the price of a British Champions purse for a defence.

They must be lapping it up.