Anybody else getting tired of big fights being held in Vegas?

It's anti-clockwise :yep. Good analogy nonetheless.

 

It don't get any better than Las Vegas I hope every big fight in the foreseeable future is held there.

 

Nobody is pandering to Americans. Those with a financial stake in the proceedings merely are looking maximize the return on their investment. This includes the fighters. If, as Cobbler maintains, there is a culture of odd hour sports viewing in the U.K., which is not present in the U.S., then holding fights at 1 and 2 AM GMT is a sound economic judgment. You'll hold your British audience while increasing PPV numbers from the U.S.

Also, it's not a matter of the fight not being big and doing well if it were held in London. Of course this fight will make money. The heart of the matter is instead that there is greater profitability in the event taking place in Las Vegas. Ultimately, that's what the decision will be based on.

 

Quickly, I'd like to comment that Hatton/Pacquiao is another instance of a Top Rank (Arum) and GBP (DLH and Schaefer) co-promotion. So both praise and blame ought to be distributed to each of these firms, rather than just Arum, unless there is specific cause to discriminate.

To your more substantive comments, I have a reply. You seem to be making an argument that fighters, when they promote themseleves, are less interested in the bottom line than traditional promoters. You adduce as evidence for this conclusion Vitali Klitschko (K2) and David Haye (Hayemaker) holding their upcoming bout in London, instead of a casino, presumably you mean Las Vegas.

However, neither of these fighters have any U.S. PPV history, which would be the primary reason to hold the fight in a Las Vegas casino as opposed to their respective countries of origin or residence. David Haye has virtually no name recognition in the U.S., while Vitali is basically known for a loss more than four years ago to Lennox Lewis. Contrarily, Haye was able to pack around 20,000 into the O2 well after midnight to watch him destroy Maccarinelli, and Vitali Klitschko is a huge star in Germany. Given this, I feel safe in speculating that holding their June match in either Germany or the U.K. would be more lucrative than anywhere in the U.S., including Las Vegas.

 

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Um, you know that a lot of 'Hollywood' movies aren't shot in Hollywood, right?

 

no.

vegas is fine with me.

 

I am from Las Vegas so I am not complaining..HOWEVER, I think the Hatton/Pac fight should be held in the UK since you could cram in more fans and make more money if promoted correctly.

 

Vegas is fine,it has that glitsy aura to it.

 

the tickets are overpriced. I'd rather at least get a cheaper seat in the UK...if that's possible.

 

its 2 american promoters , so it stands to reason they want it in america.

also they do not have to pay for site fees which is why they always hold fights in vegas.

but it must be hurting them soon as PPV and having fights in a remote part of america, means new fans are dwindling to tiny numbers hence vegas attendences in 2008 were down in many fights .

 

Couple comments on this thread. First I live in Phoenix Az so I can just drive up to Vegas and I will be going to Hatton/Pac if the fight is made there. Vegas is the premiere entertainment city in the world. You can do everything there.

I feel bad for the foreign fight fans as I know its just not possible to travel to Vegas from an economic standpoint for every big fight. I will say this every UK fight fan should try and attend a big event in Vegas if they havent, its crazy good fun! You won't be dissapointed.

Lastly, I find it hard to believe that the UK can hold these events to the same financial return that happens in Vegas. Possibly the largest of the superfights would be profitable, but lets get real here. The largest fight done in the UK since ww2 was only 54k people. Froch on his last fight did 8k people only. The Vegas fight will sell out 17k no problem at a significantly higher ticket price. Then there is all the side money able to be made easily, betting, gambling, entertainment PPV etc.

 

It's simple guys. The casino's are willing to pay big money for people to bring those fights to their venue. They know that they get a huge influx of money from all of the people who come to the fight and gamble.

 

:good

Good post man. Thanks for the insight. I used Vit v Haye as an example as I thought there was a genuine interest in the States in the heavyweight division. Given that there isnt then it sort of negates my point a little as this was my flagship example.

However, I do think the point stands (at least on a local level). For example, Haye has snapped up a few boxers from Liverpool to Hayemaker Promotions. There are dozens of north west boxers, some a decent standard, who in the past have been sent around the country to pad their record. Or if they do fight in Liverpool, it would be just the one headlining and then an awful undercard.

Haye has fixed a night in March, in Liverpool featuring almost all of his Liverpool boxers. This just hasnt happened for years! A full bill of local talent. Cant wait!

To reiterate another point. I wasnt implying that boxers, as promoters, are uninterested in the bottom line. Of course they are! But my thinking is more along the lines that if the money is in the right ball park, then they will forget arguing for that extra 3/4 % and instead go for exposure. Whether that be by setting up a fight with a big name which a promoter would run from (could you see Haye v Vitali happening if Haye was promoted by Frank Warren?? Not a chance) or by taking less money but putting the fight on in an area where there would be more exposure - like a home town!