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It's strange to hear US fans talk about how important an atmosphere is. For years when fights were negotiated between UK and US boxers, US fans would say the fight had to be in the US, because that's where the most money is. The fact that UK cards have a much better atmosphere than Vegas was considered meaningless. But now the biggest money is in Saudi, suddenly the atmosphere and history and culture are oh so important.
More wishful thinking that the Saudis will soon lose interest and stop staging fights. I remember when the United Arab Emirates bought Man City. Critics said they'd get bored quick. Instead for the past 16 years they've poured money into the club until they became the top football team in the world, and they continue to do so. People are saying the Arabs will quickly lose interest based on nothing more than hope. It's like an opposite day version of Paul Revere, trying to convince everyone that the foreign threat doesn't really exist.
That being said, I don't think US fans should be too concerned. The Saudis aren't trying to takeover the entire sport, the US has a lot of boxing venues that will continue to do just fine. Same for the promoters. If the Saudis offer Haymon or Arum or Oscar big money to stage a card there, and allow them to have control of the US broadcast rights, then they would probably do a deal. Nowadays promoters/fighters fail to do cross-promotional fights because of the network issue, not because of the location.
It's only really people running boxing in Vegas that should be concerned, because they'll lose out on some of the biggest fights. But as the article details, they have a lot of revenue from a lot of different sports, so maybe they don't really care.
Fans should be happy because Saudi involvement can help make certain fights happen. The situation with Tank/Haney/Teo/Shakur not fighting each other could continue for years with the current network/promoter side of the street BS. Surely none of us want that. But maybe Saudi involvement can see them face each other.
More wishful thinking that the Saudis will soon lose interest and stop staging fights. I remember when the United Arab Emirates bought Man City. Critics said they'd get bored quick. Instead for the past 16 years they've poured money into the club until they became the top football team in the world, and they continue to do so. People are saying the Arabs will quickly lose interest based on nothing more than hope. It's like an opposite day version of Paul Revere, trying to convince everyone that the foreign threat doesn't really exist.
That being said, I don't think US fans should be too concerned. The Saudis aren't trying to takeover the entire sport, the US has a lot of boxing venues that will continue to do just fine. Same for the promoters. If the Saudis offer Haymon or Arum or Oscar big money to stage a card there, and allow them to have control of the US broadcast rights, then they would probably do a deal. Nowadays promoters/fighters fail to do cross-promotional fights because of the network issue, not because of the location.
It's only really people running boxing in Vegas that should be concerned, because they'll lose out on some of the biggest fights. But as the article details, they have a lot of revenue from a lot of different sports, so maybe they don't really care.
Fans should be happy because Saudi involvement can help make certain fights happen. The situation with Tank/Haney/Teo/Shakur not fighting each other could continue for years with the current network/promoter side of the street BS. Surely none of us want that. But maybe Saudi involvement can see them face each other.
TonyRespectful
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