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

[Toffee]

I see partisan fans mentioning who can “sell out stadiums” a lot on this forum. Often that seems to be the selling point on why they are fans which indicates they haven’t been boxing fans for long and are simply caught up in the hype. I doubt such people could regale the forum with decades worth of boxing history. However I will say this. It’s impressive to see arenas and stadiums sold out, what’s more impressive for a matchup is when gate records or set….which is why we remember matchups such as Dempsey vs Carpentier. Carpentier had no hope of winning against the larger raging Dempsey but his image as a dashing french ladies man and a media hero all over the world brought an entertainment factor into it. Dempsey had the right opponent to be the first million dollar gate. The point being it’s one thing to sell out stadiums when many of the seats cost less than a fish, chip, mushy pea tea and pud but that is a tonne worth of difference from selling out an arena in let’s say Vegas where record gates are set…..

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.

[KingGilgamesh]

Firstly. No one can take away from the fact that this is a great fight and its credit to Hearn for actually seemingly pulling off a half decent fight against a strong young contender for what i feel is the first time in Joshua's career.

Genuinely no idea what is going to happen on Saturday but I am slightly curious at how this article is worded. Joshua, unlike Canelo, the only other big PPV star left in boxing, seems to be spoken about almost exclusively in regards to his earning potential. I like boxers treating the sport like a business just as much as the next guy but I've always stated how Joshua's entire image seems to be an exercise in media marketing than it is about watching a genuinely great boxer. You speak of Pacquio and Lewis but their sellout fights were against the likes of Hatton, Mayweather, Tyson and Holyfield. In comparison Joshua's biggest PPVs were against guys like ****ing Takam and Parker. No one is going to remember these fights in 10 years time. They barely remember them now. Joshua's fans don't feel like fans at all, they feel like mascots. The typical idiots in this country who seem insanely easily swayed by facile media manipulation.

And I say that as someone who works in a well known British media organisation. It's kinda sad how easily the public here have their opinions dictated to by our media classes. Which, rather surprisingly, is something you don't see in America. When Joshua came over stateside, he underperformed and the audience responded accordingly. The same for Wilder. Unlike the UK, I don't think you can get away away being "good enough" over there. After experiencing the likes of Holmes, Tyson, Ali, Holyfield and Foreman, I just don't think they're going to be as early impressed with the current top heavyweights as we are over here.

[Noelanthony]

I see partisan fans mentioning who can “sell out stadiums” a lot on this forum. Often that seems to be the selling point on why they are fans which indicates they haven’t been boxing fans for long and are simply caught up in the hype. I doubt such people could regale the forum with decades worth of boxing history. However I will say this. It’s impressive to see arenas and stadiums sold out, what’s more impressive for a matchup is when gate records or set….which is why we remember matchups such as Dempsey vs Carpentier. Carpentier had no hope of winning against the larger raging Dempsey but his image as a dashing french ladies man and a media hero all over the world brought an entertainment factor into it. Dempsey had the right opponent to be the first million dollar gate. The point being it’s one thing to sell out stadiums when many of the seats cost less than a fish, chip, mushy pea tea and pud but that is a tonne worth of difference from selling out an arena in let’s say Vegas where record gates are set…..

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

[KingGilgamesh]

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.

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.

[Noelanthony]

Firstly. No one can take away from the fact that this is a great fight and its credit to Hearn for actually seemingly pulling off a half decent fight against a strong young contender for what i feel is the first time in Joshua's career.

Genuinely no idea what is going to happen on Saturday but I am slightly curious at how this article is worded. Joshua, unlike Canelo, the only other big PPV star left in boxing, seems to be spoken about almost exclusively in regards to his earning potential. I like boxers treating the sport like a business just as much as the next guy but I've always stated how Joshua's entire image seems to be an exercise in media marketing than it is about watching a genuinely great boxer. You speak of Pacquio and Lewis but their sellout fights were against the likes of Hatton, Mayweather, Tyson and Holyfield. In comparison Joshua's biggest PPVs were against guys like ****ing Takam and Parker. No one is going to remember these fights in 10 years time. They barely remember them now. Joshua's fans don't feel like fans at all, they feel like mascots. The typical idiots in this country who seem insanely easily swayed by facile media manipulation.

And I say that as someone who works in a well known British media organisation. It's kinda sad how easily the public here have their opinions dictated to by our media classes. Which, rather surprisingly, is something you don't see in America. When Joshua came over stateside, he underperformed and the audience responded accordingly. The same for Wilder. Unlike the UK, I don't think you can get away away being "good enough" over there. After experiencing the likes of Holmes, Tyson, Ali, Holyfield and Foreman, I just don't think they're going to be as early impressed with the current top heavyweights as we are over here.

Well that's because they have been spoiled with great heavyweights and fighters numb nuts. KLITSCHKO was the closest we had to a world champion. We will get behind Sam fuc*king Eggington if he won a world title. What point are you trying to make exactly? I work in a well known BRITISH media organisation....and? i'm a AJ Mascot

[Szef]

I see partisan fans mentioning who can “sell out stadiums” a lot on this forum. Often that seems to be the selling point on why they are fans which indicates they haven’t been boxing fans for long and are simply caught up in the hype. I doubt such people could regale the forum with decades worth of boxing history. However I will say this. It’s impressive to see arenas and stadiums sold out, what’s more impressive for a matchup is when gate records or set….which is why we remember matchups such as Dempsey vs Carpentier. Carpentier had no hope of winning against the larger raging Dempsey but his image as a dashing french ladies man and a media hero all over the world brought an entertainment factor into it. Dempsey had the right opponent to be the first million dollar gate. The point being it’s one thing to sell out stadiums when many of the seats cost less than a fish, chip, mushy pea tea and pud but that is a tonne worth of difference from selling out an arena in let’s say Vegas where record gates are set…..

That's all nice and dandy, OldskoolIncel, but the guy said Pacquiao could sell out any stadium, anywhere in the world.

Not if he can set a record at the gate.

Sure he can. In Vegas. Or Manilla. Or a few other cities in the world where he's that popular.

But the notion that Pac can sell out any stadium, anywhere in the world is a bold notion at best, rtarded statement at worst.

No, no he can't. I'm fully confident that he can't.

Hell, I'm fully confident that no fighter in history could sell any stadium, anywhere in the world.

The world is a big place. Much bigger than whatever American ****** you reside in.

[KingGilgamesh]

Well that's because they have been spoiled with great heavyweights and fighters numb nuts. KLITSCHKO was the closest we had to a world champion. We will get behind Sam fuc*king Eggington if he won a world title. What point are you trying to make exactly? I work in a well known BRITISH media organisation....and? i'm a AJ Mascot

Because its twenty twenty ****ing one and we shouldn't be getting excited over ****ing half decent heavyweights whilst claiming to the best the home of the best ones. Joshua and Fury don't look anything close to getting in a ring together anytime soon and it's a ****ing embarrassing look. Getting behind Sam ****ing Eggington is absolutely nothing to be proud of.

[Noelanthony]

Because its twenty twenty ****ing one and we shouldn't be getting excited over ****ing half decent heavyweights whilst claiming to the best the home of the best ones. Joshua and Fury don't look anything close to getting in a ring together anytime soon and it's a ****ing embarrassing look. Getting behind Sam ****ing Eggington is absolutely nothing to be proud of.

True true

[PRINCEKOOL]

So many people like boxing , the only problem is lots of fans don't know what they are watching anymore , nearly every sports fan loves a good fight. This weekends fight is a prime example, Usyk is only in this fight because of his achievement's at a lower weight class. He has not looked anywhere near the fighter he was in the smaller cruiser weight division. The interest here lies with Joshua , who is fighting a better but much smaller fighter. Will he get clipped and hit the deck numerous times like he did against the decent but obese Ruiz or will he as expected be too big and strong for the smaller man. This is not the 'thriller in Manilla' , this main event should be called 'untested' that's what you're getting here.

It is a good fight mate, you obviously clearly have a agenda against Anthony Joshua.

Usyk for me was overrated at cruiser weight, and has done what I expected at heavyweight. But for sure on paper? This is a creditable fight.

Two Olympic Champions, 1 of them is undefeated and undisputed cruiser weight champion. All Uysk has ever known is winning, that is his experience and reality within boxing.

And that is why I will not write him off 100%, but Joshua really should be looking to stop Usyk or shut him out over 12 rounds.

Tony Bellew was beating or at-least being extremely competitive with Usyk until he fatigued 'And that was a Tony Bellew who was dead at the weight, should of stayed at heavyweight' etc.

[Oldskoolg]

That's what separates Floyd Mayweather from everyone else! He can sell 16,000 tickets in Las Vegas, and make $300 Million Dollars! We haven't seen anyone come close yet!

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