Prizefighter... You won't believe this (Part 2)

Is that a live viewing audience, or are sky in some way able to take into account people who may have recorded the event and watched it later??

 

British boxing almost died in the late 60s/early 70s due to these stupid tournaments.

Those who ignore history...

 

Impressive?

Surely you mean sad?

This is 2010, not 1992...

 

I agree, the prizefighter is good to introduce new fans to the sport, and also it is entertaining and gives unknown fighters the chance to shine and launch their careers.

 

And it will give promoters cheaper and cheaper evenings, as the quantity of these tournaments increases, and quality goes down the toilet.

It will become apparent in due course, that our best fighters have all gone abroad to make a living, as promoters do not use them, because they just bring in a load of journeyman and novices and pay them peanuts because people have accepted it.

Then one day we will wake up and realise that not one pro in Britain has heard the bell for the fourth round...

 

I see where you are coming from loads of these tournaments would devalue boxing in this country but i think these promotions are a sideshow to the main titles and provide paydays/opportunities for boxers that wouldnt be in that position otherwise

 

That is why fighters who have true World class or European class prospects need to duck this tournament.

This fight is strictly for inexperienced domestic class operators, washed up old fighters and the rest.

It is the promoters responsibility to not feed their best prospects to this tournament.

I understand your fears, however, have any fighers you consider World class or Euro class ever fought in a prize figher that are up and coming?

Has the risk that you identified ever messed up a good fighers career?

 

At the moment yes, but as the past showed, it stumped the growth of our prospects, as young fighters rather than turn pro, fought these one night tournaments that are now marketed as Prizefighter, and left it later and later to turn pro.

The only difference is, at least back in the 50s, 60s and 70s, they had the sense to call these tournaments exhibitions, so pro fighters were not carrying three round decision defeats on their record...

On top of this, our top fighters struggled for work because these tournaments were cheap and cheerful, and thus they either had to fight for a pittance, or had to go abroad to make a living.

 

Ken Buchanan and John Conteh...

 

there's **** all wrong with him having a go in this competition.

 

He is 39, 15 years past his pomp, and his style was such, he was hardly a defensive genius at his very best!

He took some serious beatings at the end of his career, it was clear after the Harrison bout he was shot to pieces, and that was over seven years ago!

Wayne McCullough was a mighty proud and fine warrior, and these qualities helped no end in epic fights against the likes of Rabanales, Yakushiji and Bueno. But these bouts happened over 13 years ago, and those same qualities at 39, perhaps put McCullough at too much of a risk...

I Hope the BBB of C are looking at this situation carefully.