Last night's Prizefighter was decent, there were a few good fights with Lyons-Farrag being the stand out. I am a big fan of Prizefighter and have enjoyed most of them so far. However, I think that they need to emphasis a line up that will have more competitive fights. Haskins absolutely pissed it last night, he was a class above most of the field. I do not know why they put him in it, he already is a title holder and there were others who deserve to be in it and need the chance, plus they would have given great value too i.e. Najab Ali, Martin Power, Jamie Conlan, Luke Wilton, Shinny Bayaar et al. Uzzy (who I like, he is a good kid) but he is not a superfly, he is chinny and had no chance against anyone last night, that KO win that Sexton got against Uzzy really skewed peoples impressions of Sexton's KO power. I was relived he didnt get KO'd as he was basically used as a novelty act - which is a worrying theme with Prizefighter - they want novelty acts. But, I want more good fights like Lyons-Farrag. So, for future Prizefighters, let's have more competitive line ups, no novelty acts unless they are genuine challengers and careful selection of a title holder - someone who is too good for the field reduces the entertainment value. And, not all contestants can be big ticket sellers, guys like Bayaar, Ali but it is possible to have a good balance of some ticket sellers and a fully competitive line up.
There isnt any way to improve things IMO. I've been saying for a while that the format itself really isnt boxing. It is far far too short and chaotic for my likely. I would prefer to see an 8 man tournament spread over a number of months. The 1/4 finals would be held over 5 rounds, semis over 7, and final over 9, spread over say 2 1/2 months. It'll be far less chaotic, and it will allow boxers to get into fights rather than windmill like mad for 9 minutes
The format is great for boxing. Hearns seems to have no intention of a bigger stage. That is sad because he should see what K1 did and how awesome that was. I would like less Prizefighters, more advertising, better names and maybe the winner gets a buy into the next one. Choose the core divisions and repeat them every year. For example Haskins gets to defend his crown should he wish in the next Prizefighter. Bigger stage and more money. Its an easy sell if marketed well. Much like 20/20 to the mainstream cricket fan. Mainstream fans and the ilk don't want to see 12 round fights, they love the action. So do i and if a fight is boring we move onto the next one. 3 rounds has a purity to it as its closer to having a real dust up. 12 rounds will always be the championship distance but I would love to see guys like Floyd, Ortiz, Pac, Berto duke it over 3 rounds. Its a different format that requires different strengths. There is no shame in some guys being better at this format than a 12 round fight. Both should get respect. Prizefight doesn't get the respect it deserves because it is small hall, small names, small prize money. Get the top 8 guys in any British weight class and I'd love to see it. Same on an international basis. I'd love to see the super 6 guys (plus Bute and one other) do it. I hope it is embraced soon. Unfortunately I think Hearns is happy with the stage it is on. It's an easy sell, easy buy. He makes his money. However I hope he sees the real potential in the format.
Hang on so you think it would have been better if they took the best boxer out and put another windmiller in? And Lyons/Farrag was an awful fight IMO. Hardly any skill at all.
When PF first came about they said it was for nobody's to be a somebody and fighters to resurrect there career. TBH i didn't watch any of it last night and will only watch the next one due to Choi.
I wouldnt change it. Its an evening of entertainment which does give people opportunities and i quite enjoy them. All i would say is that i would like to see 2 international prizefighters per year, and maybe less quantity and more quality on the uk shows
I'd hate to see the best guys in the division fighting over 3 rounds. It does nothing. There's a reason why fighters progress from 4 rounds, to 6, 8, 10 and then 12. Boxing is an art form, not just two guys throwing stupid shots
Exactly it's a *******ised form of the sport, Fighters who are at top of there secene (domestic/european/world) all want to test themselves over 12 rounds. 3 round brawls most did with headgear on....
Just make sure the field is as evenly matched as possible. Fairly obviously the guy with around 30 fights to his name and British/Commonwealth/international title wins is the almost certain winner if the other guys include a guy who's has 3 fights and another with 1 win to 1 loss on his record.
Get rid of the very poor fighters that appear in it, guys that have been out of the ring for years and have moved up in several weight classes should **** right off.
same here, its obviously not the best boxing sometimes, depending on the line up. Its just different in my opinion. Its a nights entertainment. Like going to see your mates in the local 5-aside competition on a Wednesday and watching you favorite premier league on the weekend. They dont need to conflict just enjoy or dont watch
I think it's great as it is. Only thing I would change is a slight variance to the prize money. Keep the money for the winner the same but split the money that the runner up gets with a pay out for the victorious boxer in the "Bout of the Night". Think that could turn some otherwise cagey fights into good ones. Prizefighter isnt about ranking boxers it's pure entertainment. So upping the stakes in this department would make it even more entertaining in my view. So; Winner - £32k Runner up - £10k Victorious boxer in the "Bout of the night" - £6k Something like that.
