Thread: Ring walks. Where do you stand?

Do you like the elaborate ring walks, or do just want them to get in the ring and get the fight started ASAP?
I think I'm in the middle, I like to hear the latest news about the fighters as they walk to the ring, but the smoke, lights, rappers and loud music I could do without.
I'm over 70 so I'm thinking my opinion will probably be a minority one.

You're a fighter, you came to fight and you are getting paid to fight. Get into the ring and fight. I think some guys spend more time practicing shaking their ass on the way to the ring than they do on learning how to box.

Originally Posted by beenKOed

Do you like the elaborate ring walks, or do just want them to get in the ring and get the fight started ASAP?
I think I'm in the middle, I like to hear the latest news about the fighters as they walk to the ring, but the smoke, lights, rappers and loud music I could do without.
I'm over 70 so I'm thinking my opinion will probably be a minority one.

The bigger the ring walks the better for me, but only for top tier title fights or high profile title fights or guys with high profiles for big fights.

But it has to be in character. Like, I would not mind not seeing Andre Ward come out with him just getting in the ring. But I kinda look forward to guys like Broner, Mayweather, etc,... coming out and giving us a showcase and experience.

This is why I like Prince Naseem. He gave us great entertainment both in the ring and out.

In the big fights - the bigger the better

I loved the fact that groves stipulated in the contract vs froch that a minimum of 25k be spent on the ring walks = it's what gets the crowd going!

Vitali vs sam peter ws amazing too!

Where I'd stand is in the middle of the entrance. Then I'd slowly walk towards the ring.

The only thing I hate about it is it's starting to look like WWE wrestling.

For some I guess the musical ring walks are a way of shaking off the butterflies and getting loose. My opinion is, if you're rapping, dancing or entertaining on your way to the ring, you're expending energy you should be saving for the fight. If we all had a nickel for every time there was a kid that came to ring dancing, rapping and clowning on the way to the ring and then spent the last few rounds sucking wind clinching or stumbling trying to outrun an opponent, there would be enough money for everyone on this board to watch may/pac without going into our pockets.
I don't mind the music or even seeing the trainers/ cutmen and 2nd's walking to the ring. You can tell a lot about how a fights going to go just by the fighters demeanor during the ring walks. Confidence, focus, hydration levels, etc. The solo walks on the Haymon shows based on last night were a little sallow but I would agree.. somewhere in between. A fighter gets their song, their corner and a fixed amount of time to get their butt to the ring. Any money that would have gone toward, rappers, chariots, ridiculous flying carpets, horses and carriages, back up dancers, etc gets pooled for incentive bonuses like the ufc offers. Something like
-KO of the night, Lowest landed on %, Highest Punch out put of the night, Sportsmanship award, etc.

Elaborate ringwalks are good for the sport and can get the casual fan on board

Hamed and Eubank ringwalks were part of the entertainment of the fight and we all looked forward to them

For me you can do whatever you want in a ringwalk and get away with it - but only IF you back it up with what you do in the ring

I think last nights PBC show was great with just the fighter walking to the ring no huge entourages, the ring wasn't full of hangers on I think a fighters trainer and cutman is enough to accompany him to the ring

Fighter, trainer and corner men. Fighter chooses own music. Its gotten cartoonish with the 101 deep entourage and gaggle of shitty rappers. I understand flair and pop, it is an extension of the fighter and packaging after all but when you have Justin f'n Beiber carrying a title trinket to a ring..you have jumped the shark and sold yourself cheap.

Originally Posted by Spicoli

Fighter, trainer and corner men. Fighter chooses own music. Its gotten cartoonish with the 101 deep entourage and gaggle of shitty rappers. I understand flair and pop, it is an extension of the fighter and packaging after all but when you have Justin f'n Beiber carrying a title trinket to a ring..you have jumped the shark and sold yourself cheap.

Trying to portray yourself as an expert in the manly art of self defense and then hanging out with justin Beiber makes no sense at all.

I always liked ring walks, there's something that will always be interesting to me about watching the gladiator entering the arena, seeing how he looks and what is body language is. There's a real art to it and fighters have used it to great effect, whether it was flashy entrances like Nas or Wlad, or entrances like Tyson's where it's simplicity just added to his aura of intimidation.

Originally Posted by greynotsoold

Originally Posted by Spicoli

Fighter, trainer and corner men. Fighter chooses own music. Its gotten cartoonish with the 101 deep entourage and gaggle of shitty rappers. I understand flair and pop, it is an extension of the fighter and packaging after all but when you have Justin f'n Beiber carrying a title trinket to a ring..you have jumped the shark and sold yourself cheap.

Trying to portray yourself as an expert in the manly art of self defense and then hanging out with justin Beiber makes no sense at all.

I get celebrity. Its the same thing when the network cameras roam the seats and tell us what a huge fight fan Denzel Washington is ffs..as he sits next to promoters. But we are in a time when the wrapping is more shiny than the actual gift. Over produced and then you get imitating gimmicks like Broner where it all blows up in his face. All smoke, no fire.

Originally Posted by Mark TKO

Elaborate ringwalks are good for the sport and can get the casual fan on board

Hamed and Eubank ringwalks were part of the entertainment of the fight and we all looked forward to them

For me you can do whatever you want in a ringwalk and get away with it - but only IF you back it up with what you do in the ring

I like it even more when there is a great ring walk- then they get blasted out, SWEET. I never tire of watching this one here:

The kid needs boxing & dance lessons! Hardeehahaaa!!