Comments Thread For: Boxing's Biggest Box Office Draw Joshua Battles Usyk In Tottenham

[Oldskoolg]

So you've decided record gates are more important than record attendances. And anyone who thinks attendances are more important must be a casual.

Really? Neither actually have anything to do with the sport. They're just two different business models. One brings in more money - the other puts more eyes on the guy which then brings in more money.

Yeah ok I’m a casual. Feel better?

[Oldskoolg]

They kinda are and aren't.

In the US attendances have never really mattered all that much probably due to the disparate nature of the country itself. The average fan would have to spend a huge amount travelling between Las Vegas, LA and New York which often means many rely heavily on PPVs and the fights are just kept in Las Vegas.

I can get to the Principality Stadium in 2 hours from whee I live in the UK. I can make Wembley in less than 2.5 hours dependent on traffic on the M4. This means that revenue tends to be a big indicator of fight popularity. After all the UFC has been doing bumper numbers for a good while and they too haven't really shown huge interest in stadium events either.

Boxing in the US is a boomer thing and doesn't have the same crossover that boxing in the UK has with casual football fans.

Now this is entirely accurate and an excellent assessment

[Bronx2245]

There’s really never been a boxer like Mayweather though who combined talent with the media power behind him combined with a sterling management strategy. His style wasn’t conducive to public adoration yet they still ordered his fights abs the world stood still every weekend for the spectacle. I don’t know if I will see another multi-generational talent like Mayweather before it’s time to pass on from this life

I think Boots has the talent, but I don't know if he has a team behind him that can exploit it? Boots has the ability to win a chip @ 147, 154, and 160! Vergil getting better, Oscar getting worse! No Bueno!

[Toffee]

They kinda are and aren't.

In the US attendances have never really mattered all that much probably due to the disparate nature of the country itself. The average fan would have to spend a huge amount travelling between Las Vegas, LA and New York which often means many rely heavily on PPVs and the fights are just kept in Las Vegas.

I can get to the Principality Stadium in 2 hours from whee I live in the UK. I can make Wembley in less than 2.5 hours dependent on traffic on the M4. This means that revenue tends to be a big indicator of fight popularity. After all the UFC has been doing bumper numbers for a good while and they too haven't really shown huge interest in stadium events either.

Boxing in the US is a boomer thing and doesn't have the same crossover that boxing in the UK has with casual football fans.

That's all true. Then you say that revenue is a big indicator of fight popularity.

Obviously it's a big indicator. But it's not the only one. I don't believe that Joshua can't make more at the gate because he's not popular. They're not setting the prices low because there's no demand.

He could fight in smaller venues for inflated prices. Sky could set PPVs at 70 pound. He'd still sell out and do good PPV numbers. He'd make more money on the night. But he wouldn't have anywhere near the casual support he does. He gets that because the tickets are accessible and the PPVs are affordable. He gets the numbers of eyes on him that justify the endorsements and the big site fees.

Just a different business model.

[OnlytheTruth]

That's all true. Then you say that revenue is a big indicator of fight popularity.

Obviously it's a big indicator. But it's not the only one. I don't believe that Joshua can't make more at the gate because he's not popular. They're not setting the prices low because there's no demand.

He could fight in smaller venues for inflated prices. Sky could set PPVs at 70 pound. He'd still sell out and do good PPV numbers. He'd make more money on the night. But he wouldn't have anywhere near the casual support he does. He gets that because the tickets are accessible and the PPVs are affordable. He gets the numbers of eyes on him that justify the endorsements and the big site fees.

Just a different business model.

I know this is going a little off topic here but it baffles me that the American fans are happy to pay such huge prices compared to what we get in the UK.

[Monty Fisto]

It's all about perspective. Yes...he can fill stadiums in the U.K. but take him to Boise Idaho and see what the sales are. Manny Pacquiao would sell out a stadium anywhere in the world and he's on his retirement tour.

You're right. Manny would do better in Boise, but he wouldn't sell out Wembley Stadium if he went there.

So, as you say, it comes down to perspective.

There are some who can celebrate AJ selling out massive venues in England that only a very select few could consistently sell out. And there are some who can only seek ways to try and undervalue it.

[iamboxing]

So many people like boxing , the only problem is lots of fans don't know what they are watching anymore

So true. I've heard young people saying Holyfield will annihilate Vitor because Holyfield is a professional boxer.

[Butt stuff]

Who has time for that? That's my real name. I don't come on here gloating that I'm a big blower. You have stopped answering questions about your ****** statement so thats good enough for me. Stay in your lane next time

Not the Kidulthood groper are ya?

[Monty Fisto]

The article focuses on one of the key positive things about AJ. It's a zeitgeist thing, capturing the imagination of a broad part of the a nation, not unlike when England do well in the Euros of the World Cup. That's it.

To say, oh but it's only in the UK, he flopped in the US or to say it's a media construct, the public are easily swayed is to miss the point. As the article points out, he is bigger in the UK than Lennox Lewis was when Lewis was fighting Holyfield and Tyson. That's pretty amazing. Being big in America would be an extra level, but he doesn't have to have that for it already to be an amazing level of success. He's as big in the UK as any boxer has ever been. And that's with boxing being nowhere near a big a sport as it used to be. That is amazing in itself. And as for the latter, about how easily swayed the public is -- his singular popularity suggests this isn't true. If it is so eaily created, the media would have made an AJ before and would make another AJ after. Or have someone close to fight in the gaps when he isn't fighting. But there is no-one close in the UK.

[Oldskoolg]

Not at all the headline is AJ selling the Tottenham stadium. Someone decided to mention Pac stating he can sell any in the world to which i disagree. that's it. iF he can, I stand corrected. I really don't care just like i don't care about the Dempsey and Carpenter story you are saying. Boxing threads you will never see me comment on...PBC,TOP RANK , MATCHROOM Rivalry, PPV numbers, A AND B SIDE negotiations ( unless its AJ of course) He coaxed me into this but thank you for your input

I don’t follow….who coaxed you into it sir?