Comments Thread For: Arum: If Joe Smith & Beterbiev Win, Sets Up A Huge Fight That'd Sell Out MSG Easy

[GhostofDempsey]

It would sell out the Hulu Theater at MSG (about 5K seats) but no way is it selling out at 18 - 20K seats.

[-Kev-]

Arum sh.tting on Crawford again. Won’t ever talk about TC like that. But enthusiastically promoting Smith-Beterbiev

To be fair though, I like Smith and Beterbiev more than Crawford. Especially Smith, he has taken bigger risks than Crawford.

[Cinci Champ]

It wouldn't even sell 1/4th of the seats because nobody knows either fighter. Joe Smith is a tough guy and he has good victory over Eleider Alvarez recently, so he can make things a little interesting but I wouldn't expect him to win. The fight I'd pay real money to see would be Beterbiev vs Bivol, but it would never sell out either, the light heavy weight divisions is an unfortunate division right now. It has some decent talent but 0 stars.

joe smith is known in ny

[RightJabLikeZab]

I think Arum is right here. Joe Smith has probably amassed a good following in Long Island and NY in general. I remember going to a Devin Haney fight at MSG and it was pretty full and I can't say many people really knew who he was. A decent amount of people were there for the New York fighters on the undercard, though. Beterbiev is from Russia. There just so happens to be a lot of people of Russian descent in New York...

[Combat Talk Radio]

Bob still thinks storylines sell fights rather than good fights.... Even casual fans know Smith is not on Arturs level regardless of whatever Cold War narrative they might push lol.

But the thing is, it IS about 'storylines' (drama/gimmicks/beef). That IS how you market and sell fights. We've seen it time and again.

Do you honestly believe that guys like Rid**** Bowe could sell what they sell just based on fighting? Hell no. He had to be an over-the-top, dumping belts in the trash, trash talking dude.

Larry Holmes was an excellent boxer, but nobody cared until he turnt up - dropkicking off cars and ish.

Eubank/Benn presser.

Most of Roy Jones' pressers.

Most of Tyson's pressers.

Mitch Green? Come on, that guy was money walking .




Boxing needs CHARACTERS to give a damn about. That's why guys like Lara, excellent boxers, nobody cares yet guys like the Charlo brothers who turn it up (even though they grew up middle class) draw money.

I know people don't like that of the casual fan but it's the truth, always has been.

[Silver Spear]

Trash fight. Bivol easily toyed and schooled Joe Smith

Who would you replace Smith with then? What matchup would not be trash?

[Silver Spear]

Bob still thinks storylines sell fights rather than good fights.... Even casual fans know Smith is not on Arturs level regardless of whatever Cold War narrative they might push lol.

Was Arthur not buzzed by an opponent nowhere near Smith's level? If that can happen then why is it hard to believe that a taller, much stronger Smith would not be able to land on Beterbiev? BB does not have the defense that Bivol has.

[shza]

But the thing is, it IS about 'storylines' (drama/gimmicks/beef). That IS how you market and sell fights. We've seen it time and again.

Do you honestly believe that guys like Rid**** Bowe could sell what they sell just based on fighting? Hell no. He had to be an over-the-top, dumping belts in the trash, trash talking dude.

Larry Holmes was an excellent boxer, but nobody cared until he turnt up - dropkicking off cars and ish.

Eubank/Benn presser.

Most of Roy Jones' pressers.

Most of Tyson's pressers.

Mitch Green? Come on, that guy was money walking .




Boxing needs CHARACTERS to give a damn about. That's why guys like Lara, excellent boxers, nobody cares yet guys like the Charlo brothers who turn it up (even though they grew up middle class) draw money.

I know people don't like that of the casual fan but it's the truth, always has been.

I see your point and agree that storylines and characters are the only way to sell or spin mismatches unless it’s a KO artist which never goes out of style. Also, there are certain weight divisions that will never bring in casual fans, like flyweight or something.

However, boxing needs MEGAFIGHTS right now and that can’t happen without real competition and an element of doubt. For example, Spence and Crawford would draw a huge audience even though neither of them are charismatic because everybody knows it has the potential to be a classic. Canelo makes good money fighting B-listers, but he made ridiculous money fighting GGG... there are levels.

You mentioned the Charlos, which is a good example. They can draw some interest with their talk but I guarantee you they’d make 3x as much if they took a 50/50 fight. Jermell-Harrison II was by far either brother’s most compelling one because it had BOTH elements: epic **** talk and DOUBT about who would win... And the fight itself did not disappoint. Ditto for Fury-Wilder.

Also, overhyped and underwhelming fights leave a bitter taste in people’s mouths and pockets when they’re being taxed to watch it on PPV... Floyd-Pac is the biggest example of this.

[mlac]

I think i need to see it but i dont want to see it. Im a fan of beterbiev but i dont need to see joe get sent to a&e ffs

[shza]

Was Arthur not buzzed by an opponent nowhere near Smith's level? If that can happen then why is it hard to believe that a taller, much stronger Smith would not be able to land on Beterbiev? BB does not have the defense that Bivol has.

If you are talking about Callum Johnson, I would say he's right on Smith's level... Also, Beterbiev got off the canvas and destroyed CJ in that fight, which is what I'd imagine he'd do to Smith.

I'm not saying this is a bad fight & I like Joe Smith... I'm just saying that this is not a true toss-up (like Gvozdyk v. Beterbiev was or Beterbiev v. Bivol would be) no matter how much they market it as such. Unfortunately, there aren't too many guys at light heavy or even cruiser right now who can provide that drama now that Kovalev's shot.