Why did Anderson Silva outsell Andre Ward in Ward's own hometown?

Discussion in 'MMA Forum' started by David Fanning, Aug 13, 2010.


  1. David Fanning

    David Fanning Internet Tuff Guy Full Member

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    Last weekend, Silva vs. Sonnen, held in Oakland's Oracle Arena reportedly sold just under 13,000 tickets. Andre Ward has had three fights in that same arena, two of them title fights, and is yet to crack 9,000....IN HIS OWN HOMETOWN!

    I have voiced my opinion in the past very loudly about how MMA is absolutely NOT taking over boxing. Now, if someone were to present the above mentioned facts to me in an argument, how would I respond? Is it because Northern California is possibly a hotbed of MMA fans and participants whereas boxing is stronger in other geographical areas? Is it like this across America? Would Anderson Silva outsell Diaz and Juarez in Houston? Would he outsell Cotto in MSG? Is it the particular area, is it the fighters involved, or is MMA REALLY taking over?

    Somebody, please, say it isn't so!
     
  2. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    arguably the most popular/best P4P fighter in the UFC on a stacked undercard vs. Andre Ward vs a european fighter and a joke in green


    HMMMM GUYS THIS IS REALLY HARD
     
  3. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    well anderson silva is techincally the p4p 1 in the sport and is one of the biggest stars, outside of st. pierre and lesnar. ward isn't in a comparable position in boxing
     
  4. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    or just listen to swarmer
     
  5. san rafael

    san rafael 0.00% lemming Full Member

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    lmao @ the bitter nationalist.
     
  6. Vitor Belfort

    Vitor Belfort Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Lol :rofl ok look at it this way

    anderson silva MMA # 1 P4P brought in 13,000 fans to oakland stadium:happy
    Now boxing

    Manny Pacquiao boxing # 1 P4P brought in 50,000 fans to cowboys stadium:lol::hi:

    I like ufc and all but come on if you're gonna compare, at least compare someone who is famous. Andre Ward is not a big name in boxing yet.
     
  7. Scar

    Scar VIP Member Full Member

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    :lol:
     
  8. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

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    To be fair, Silva is much bigger in his own sport than Ward is in boxing.

    Silva is recognized by most as top three if not #1 p4p.

    Ward is supremely gifted and is generating a decent amount of buzz, especially with the advent of the Super Six - but he's not on a comparable level to Silva in relation to boxing as a whole (you'd have to be talking about a Pacquiao or Mayweather).

    Head to head, under boxing rules? With Ward weighing his usual 168 and Silva coming in as heavy as he likes (and with Freddie Roach in his corner)?

    Ward KO2.
     
  9. David Fanning

    David Fanning Internet Tuff Guy Full Member

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    Or, you could look at it as Ward vs. a highly regarded European champion in a much anticipated TITLE bout, and a joke in Green, in Ward's HOMEFREAKINTOWN!

    So, what fight against Ward brings over 13,000 to the Oracle Arena? I'm wondering if it's even possible.
     
  10. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    God's will. As Andre's strict father who doesn't want him to get a big head.
     
  11. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

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    He's still building up his fanbase, Dave. Right now, it probably isn't possible.

    By the time the tournament is over, assuming Ward goes undefeated to clinch the whole enchilada - a superfight with Bute could easily do 13,000.

    To answer your original question: it's just a matter of the timing.
     
  12. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    Ward hasn't built a ****ing name yet. He doesn't have huge marketability aside from his gold medal. A lot of people hate his style. The undercards on both fights apparently sucked(since there was no discussion about either). Kessler is a no-name. Most casual boxing fans, if they know him at all know him as that dude who lost to Calzaghe.

    On the other hand Anderson Silva is incredibly popular, everyone on the ****ing internet has seen a gif of him kicking some tomato can in the face. Like Vitor Belfort says this is no comparison. Compare Silva or St. Pierre to Pacquiao or Mayweather in terms of attendance numbers. When Ward keeps winning, and keeps marketing himself well, he will get similar stardom. If he doesn't than he won't. This is the power of the UFC as a single brand. When everything is regulated with a single power, you can package and present whatever you want. For whatever price you want.
     
  13. hopkinsfan07

    hopkinsfan07 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Silva is not a huge fan favorite...sonnens trash talk had more to do with the ticket sells, well that and the stacked undercard.
     
  14. David Fanning

    David Fanning Internet Tuff Guy Full Member

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    All makes sense. Still, Bute vs. Ward in Montreal would probably double what it would do in Oakland.
     
  15. Flash Jab

    Flash Jab Boxing Junkie banned

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    Plus UFC is a bigger casual fan puller than boxing these days.