is greater manchester home of Brit boxing now?

Manchester and London are the two places in the UK that I feel will consistently produce good batches of boxing talent............

 

Reid was born in Sefton, Merseyside. He regards himself as a scouser, and even referred to himself as such when in an interview he spoke of the possibility of coming out of retirement to fight for the British super-middleweight title.
As far as i'm aware Manchester has produced just the two world champions post WW2, Hatton and Thompson.

 

I went to see Haye vs Barret at O2. The general consensus was transport problems. The O2 is a nightmare to get home from once 11.30 strikes. People dont have an isue getting there but most boxing shows i've been to generally finish later than 11. If O2 could sort out its transport issues i.e the London tube or provide a more adeaquate bus service then im sure people would flock to the arena.
The other issue with the O2 is if a boxing show starts early they charge an arm and a leg for parking. I think its over 20pounds dont quote me on that but I remember there was some ill feelings regarding parking on fight night.

In fact Haye actualy made a joke in one of his interviews about the Barret fight stating that he had to make sure he got Barret out of the ring quick enough so people didnt miss the final tube :good. Though the guy was a top bloke after that comment

 

Yeah add this to the fact that Manchester is far easier to get to for EVERYONE around the country, the arena is smack bang in town, the town is better BEFROE AND AFTER for a bit of a drink and drinks are cheaper generally makes Manchester a better venue for anything really.

 

:yep:yep Good point :good Drinks cost **** loads at the o2 and don't really have much of a choice like you do in Manchester

 

I think the Gomez/Farnell era paved the way for the North West to take over UK boxing

Lots of lads I know who had been ostracised/priced out of football started following the Manchester boxers

Then Hatton came along, and really capitalised on the groundwork they'd put in, and it really blew up from there

 

Trotter spot on mate.

 

I came up from London for the fight, it only took 2 hours on the train so was well impressed. Now i know how easy it is to do the M.E.N. arena i have no problem coming up here all the time for the big fights. Must say though the price of a pint is no different to th 02.:happy

 

Sorry mate I meant the price outside the arena. Arena's are generally as expensive as each other