Australian Boxing/SM Memorial thread

thanks

 

"One of the biggest concerns I had when we first started negotiations was the fact they (Zuffa Boxing) don't recognise the sanctioning bodies. However, they will let Jai fight for the world titles and unify the division.

"Jai is on a great deal. There's a fight coming up (with Zuffa) and there's conversations about fighting on a major card at the end of the year against a very good light-heavyweight who's looking at coming up."

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In the comment section Dana White replies to a clip of Mauricio slagging him off:

danawhite

I'm not saying I'm taking over anything. The Ali act will be in tact, not one word will be changed. Fighters can still fight under that. The WBC, WBA and IBF will still exist and fighters can fight for those titles. I'm just doing something different. Who am i bullying?? I have barely even done any interviews about it. Oscar, Eddie, Frank, Top Rank will all still be doing their thing.

 

Thought Mick Francis said earlier in the month that he already had a contract for Jai to fight the winner of Badou Jack and Noel Mikaelian.
Guess not.
And now he's being promoted by Zuffa Boxing.

 

It's signed. Mikaelian wants one more before Jai apparently...

 

This first Zuffa card that begins in just over 2 hours time is on Paramount + for those who have it.

 

Billy Polkinghorn vs Albert Pagara on March 7th is a pretty good match up.

 

Another subscription service required then? I find the subscription model for professional sports to be reprehensible. It turns family entertainment into an elitist pastime. Then the PPV model used in boxing and other fighting sports takes this to ridiculous levels.

In Australia we have had quite a few fairly average or one sided non title fights broadcast on PPV under confected animosity and general hyperbolic drivel, while our one current elite fighter in Opetaia has struggled to get a broadcast deal due to the Porky Rose/Fox/DAZN marriage of convenience hogging the limelight with poker machine style marketing.

I also note that Fox/DAZN is still charging PPV fees to view fights weeks after they are finished.

 

Just Announced
Opetaia's next fight is March 8th in the USA.

 

At the Apex in Vegas

 

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looks like it maybe next??

 

Surely not ! That is a pitiful arena for a boxing world champ

 

Seems an odd way to announce a fight. Particularly when Opetaia is Zuffa's new pinup boy and they should be milking the announcement of his first fight for them for all it's worth.

 

I wouldn't even call it an arena, it's basically a UFC gym for reality shows with no audience.
They move all the gym equipment out and put benches there for fight nights.
It's so cheap of Dana as he doesn't have to pay for booking a proper arena so he doesn't care about having to sell tickets. The place has zero atmosphere.

 

https://www.*******.com/articles/jai-opetaia-to-headline-zuffa-boxing-show-on-march-8-at-meta-apex