Boxing News Boxing News
Ticket Allocation
There has been much speculation in the media regarding ticket prices and ticket allocation for the widely anticipated Ricky Hatton –v- Floyd Mayweather Jnr. Fight on the 8th December 2007
It has been widely reported and indeed Ray Hatton, Ricky’s manager, and father, has himself confirmed that there will only be 3,900 tickets available. Punch Promotions who look after all Ricky’s management have been doing everything within their powers to try and ensure that Ricky’s fan base in the UK would be able to purchase tickets at a reasonable price.
Gareth Williams, Ricky’s Solicitor had informed Richard Schaefer the CEO of Golden Boy that Punch Promotions would in fact purchase all the 16,000 tickets for sale in the UK market such was the demand for tickets. Being realistic it was expected that 10,000 tickets would have been sent for the UK market.
Unfortunately, Ricky has become a victim of his own success both here and in the U.S. market. Whilst it is fair to say that the majority of fights in the U.S. do not attract large or sell out crowds, the demand for tickets for this fight has exceeded all expectations.
In order to try and ensure that tickets would go to genuine fans, Punch Promotions arranged for fans to register their interest with priority to be given to fans that have supported Ricky previously. Requests for tickets for the U.K. alone exceeded 20,000 within 2 weeks of people being asked to register their request for fight tickets.
Richard Schaefer Chief executive of Goldenboy confirmed that there have been in excess of 40,000 applications for fight tickets to this event in the United States.
The venue holds approximately 16,000 and as such the demand for tickets has far exceeded availability. After much deliberation Golden Boy, the promoters have decided that there will only be 3,900 tickets available for the UK market.
Ricky himself is extremely disappointed, yesterday he commented,
“This is a real shame for the fans that have supported me, not just for my last 3 fights in America, but indeed all of my previous fights. It means the world to me and is a great inspiration for me when I walk into the ring to see so many Brits singing and chanting my name. It will make me even more determined to beat Mayweather and it has shown to me havening spoken to my dad we must fight again in England to repay all my loyal fans.”
Ray Hatton, Ricky’s father echoed Ricky’s sentiments saying,
“We are extremely disappointed by the limited number of tickets that have been made available. My phone has not stopped ringing and I know there are going to be a lot of disappointed fans.
I have been working with Golden Boy to see what we can do; even now I am still trying to swap our expensive tickets for cheaper tickets. I am optimistic that we will obtain more tickets. I am conscious that tickets might fall into the hands of touts. Punch promotions will adopt a record of who their tickets are sold to in order to prevent their tickets being inflated on the black market.
I am therefore confident that out tickets will not be obtained by touts.
I have also spoken with Golden Boy and I understand they are going to arrange for the fight to be shown live on big screen in Vegas.
The atmosphere at all Ricky’s fights is what makes it such a memorable occasion and this is achieved by the army of travelling fans. My heart goes out to all of Ricky’s fans who might be disappointed at not getting a fight ticket after they bought flights and hotels in the hope of seeing Ricky in the flesh”
Punch Promotions, Manchester, England
Due to the overwhelming demand for tickets the U.K. it has been decided that a postal ballot will take place to determine who will receive fight tickets.
Written applications to:
Hitman Box Office
PO BOX 203
Manchester
M314UX
A maximum limit of 2 tickets per application.
Please state in your application the maximum amount you are prepared to pay per tickets and remember to include a contact telephone number or e. mail address
Goldenboy have informed us that there will be a live closed circuit screening of the fight at a venue in Las Vegas. (Venue to be confirmed)
There will be Private functions organised around the fight, including, Pre fight Lunch and After Fight Party.
If you are interested in any of these events please include it with your written application.
To date there are no fight tickets in the United Kingdom.
Tickets will not go on sale officially until: 6pm (G.M.T.) Monday 17th September 2007
Our advice is not to book any flights or Hotels unless you have purchased and received your tickets
Watch the Official Ricky Hatton website for further updates on the fight and ticket situation.
www.rickyhitmanhatton.com
Paul Speak
Agent and P.A. for Ricky Hatton.
