Should Matchroom revive Prize fighter?

I used to enjoy most of these although there were some stinkers.

It's been a good while now.

Prize fighter heavyweights.

David Price
Dave Allen
Johann Duhaupas
Lucas Browne
Chazz Witherspoon
Tom Schwartz
Kash Ali
Simon Vasily

I'm sure you could put a bracket similar to that together, maybe you'd have to drop one or two of the "names" for a couple of newcomers, but I'd be down to watch it.

 

I expect them to do a golden contract/wbss style tournament in order to cash in on the success but prizefighter format (3 rounds) is only for breakthrough fighters/seniors, there needs to be more meat on the table to attract top level fighters.

 

Not much point, the ultimate boxxer exists now, and they have the golden contract, which seems a lot better than prizefighter anyway

 

By reviving prizefighter they would essentially be giving away future PPV undercards as thats what we get now

 

Certainly not.

Sky should revive their jaded live boxthing content by opening up to all promoters submitting decent cards for approval.

 

I'm surprised they haven't tried using it in any of the overseas territories they've recently entered into. If matched well for max entertainment (big if) Prizefighter can work as a decent entry point for casuals. Ally it alongside a solid co-main that spotlights one of the higher level guys on the roster and you've a formula that can work in a new market. Worth a shot anyway in some of these countries that are lacking for quality name fighters.

I wouldn't mind seeing one in the US either (it'd feel fresher than over here), but only ever with big punching heavy's or cruisers - and stick to it as a once a year spectacle at most.

 

No.

 

The format would be great for Price, he could go out all guns blazing without having to worry about gassing out.

 

Was exactly my thoughts!

 

People have selective memories.

@pow nailed it. It was never about established fighters, it was about the young up and coming talent. It was mainly small hall shows. The money wasn’t amazing. Nowadays with the “protecting the 0” even your top prospects are reluctant to enter things like this.

again he was spot on about the WBSS/Golden contract format. I’d be very surprised if we don’t see Warren/Hearn do their own in 2020.

@Papa_Bear made an excellent point about the overseas markets. Eddie is trying to establish himself in Canada/Italy/Spain and probably others. This format would be great in those regions. His stable in these nations is wafer thin and that’s being generous. Put on a few prizefighter shows with local prospects and unearth some talent / future stars. I know Rocky Fielding has got his critics but as a career you can’t really knock it. He came from nowhere due to prizefighter.

 

I loved prizefighter. Martin Rogan, Willie 'big bang' Casey. Great excitement! The winner usually went on to have a big Saturday fight night dust up.

We basically get next gen shows nowadays instead. I know which I'd prefer.

 

It has helped a lot of fighters progress, Flanagan, Murray and Lee Haskins are other prizefighter winners who had decent careers, just not sure if it does more damage than good to the fighters who loose who are then remembered as prizefighter looser's. It would be good if Ultimate Boxxer mixed a few veterans into their lineup to test the youngsters, it's a good format for those trying to make a name for themselves and those with something still left to prove.

 

Yeah like are any of the names I mentioned "too big for prizefighter"?

We had guys like Audley, Johnson, Toney, Mike perez Herbert Hide

If they can get them on board they could get anyone I mentioned.

It's more about a fun fan friendly night than building prospects etc and it's a last chance saloon card winner for the overall winner.

If price won the bracket above for example, suddenly he's one fight away from a title shot as crazy as that sounds.

 

Nah if they do that Hearn will take Big AJ to the highest bidder and sky boxing will die instantly

 

Absolutely not, it served its purpose at the time, it brought some boxing to TV screens and filled a few gaps and most importantly for Hearn it gave a few fighters second chances and a reason to continue to put them on main shows.

We would only get David Price, Dave Allen, Kash Ali, Tom Little and fighters like that so Hearn can justify giving Price ANOTHER last chance because he is "Prize Fighter Champion".


Also I don't want to be faced with Sky Sports and Hearn charging me £9.95 for a night of 3 round fights just so they can line David Prices pockets some more.