I wonder why "The Fight" wasn't held outdoors in a ball park?

[Willie Pep 229]

In '71 cable TV wasn't what it would become and the close circuit venues were limited in number, yet they chose to accept a sell-out crowd of only 20,000 (MSG) when Yankee Stadium was just uptown.

They say Frank Sinatra had to cop a deal with the AP as a photographer because he couldn't get a seat. Maybe true, maybe not, but it strongly suggests that there were still ticket buyers out there who would have taken the gate well beyond 20,000.

I wonder what political/economic dynamics put that fight in the Garden and not Yankee Stadium?

[HOUDINI563]

Weather is always a concern with sporting events held in a roofless stadium.

[QueensburyRules]

In '71 cable TV wasn't what it would become and the close circuit venues were limited in number, yet they chose to accept a sell-out crowd of only 20,000 (MSG) when Yankee Stadium was just uptown.

They say Frank Sinatra had to cop a deal with the AP as a photographer because he couldn't get a seat. Maybe true, maybe not, but it strongly suggests that there were still ticket buyers out there who would have taken the gate well beyond 20,000.

I wonder what political/economic dynamics put that fight in the Garden and not Yankee Stadium?

- -Dunno, but Teddy Brenner and MSG in the last vestiges of controlling big fights and they got a doozy.

Remember Ali never much of a gate attraction because of his style, politics and religion. Joe more in the mold of hard working blue collar guy more fan friendly, but still to set a purse record a testimony of the people who caught fire for this fight and it did not disappoint.

[Willie Pep 229]

- -Dunno, but Teddy Brenner and MSG in the last vestiges of controlling big fights and they got a doozy.

Remember Ali never much of a gate attraction because of his style, politics and religion. Joe more in the mold of hard working blue collar guy more fan friendly, but still to set a purse record a testimony of the people who caught fire for this fight and it did not disappoint.

Yea, I think they were both guaranteed one million but ended up almost 2.5 million each.

Amazing to think that Tunney was able to pull in just under one million for Heeney in 1928 and there would not be another million dollar payday until 1971.

It took boxing quite a while to shake off the depression.

I think you are correct, the Garden (its promoters) had always carried much clout as to what happens with boxing in New York.

Brenner and New York, from their end, probably did better having it at their venue and wouldn't have shared in the extra dollars earned if it was moved to (the privately owned) Yankee Stadium, only the fighters would have.

Yankee Stadium that December ('71) was acquired by the city via eminent domain. It was then slated for renovations.

Now Shea Stadium on the other hand was a city built/owned stadium. One wonders if city owned venues in the same city end up becoming economic rivals for supporting events.

[Willie Pep 229]

Weather is always a concern with sporting events held in a roofless stadium.

I just remembered Dempsey-Tunney I went off int he rain. Some tried to use it as a Dempsey excuse but he was quick to point out that the other guy got wet too.

Has there been any other fights that got rained on?

[QueensburyRules]

Yea, I think they were both guaranteed one million but ended up almost 2.5 million each.

Amazing to think that Tunney was able to pull in just under one million for Heeney in 1928 and there would not be another million dollar payday until 1971.

It took boxing quite a while to shake off the depression.

I think you are correct, the Garden (its promoters) had always carried much clout as to what happens with boxing in New York.

Brenner and New York, from their end, probably did better having it at their venue and wouldn't have shared in the extra dollars earned if it was moved to (the privately owned) Yankee Stadium, only the fighters would have.

Yankee Stadium that December ('71) was acquired by the city via eminent domain. It was then slated for renovations.

Now Shea Stadium on the other hand was a city built/owned stadium. One wonders if city owned venues in the same city end up becoming economic rivals for supporting events.

- -It's NYC, so yeah, rivals slit throats there.

[Waldenverney]

I like boxers very much!