Quote Originally Posted by Beanz View Post
Quote Originally Posted by ykdadamaja View Post
Boxing is bigger than drunk and deluded Brit fans. The reason why boxing is doing poorly around the world is because the sport has turned into a Brit/German/North American affair for the most part- in that, at the very least, if you don't fight in either country no one knows you. But, the downside is no one else gets to know and show how much they love the sport.

The sport is even bigger in Mexico, but you would never fully appreciate how big because everyone wants to come across the border and fight in Vegas or Cali, or even Texas, just to make a name.

I have long since held the belief that markets like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Nigeria now, and South-East and Central Asia/Eurasia are HUGE markets for boxing PLUS "money" is on the table- These countries are not poor. Plus, it is good promotions for these countries.
Exactly how is boxing doing Poorly around the world? Those 'Drunk and Deluded Brit fans' turn up in their thousands and put their money where their mouth is, supporting boxing. Daft. People are just not going to turn up in the same numbers to a Saudi Event in which two Brits are the finalists. FACT. It was an international tournament, the Brits fought and got to the final and now they are in effect preventing their fans watching it live in order to try and open up the Saudi/Arab market. It's jut not there. They have tried and failed many times for a reason. Fans at the event help make the event. It is entertainment not just sport,art, prize fighting and they are a big part of that. Holding it in Saudi hurts that. Hurts the event. Hurts the tournament and boxing.
If the larger markets like Western Europe and America did not have MEGA TELEVISION PROMOTIONS and INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS behind them, the market for boxing- despite the fan base- would not be able to carry the sport. Also, since the social and developmental amenities have largely been based in these markets, particularly telecommunications and primarily telecommunications, you don't have as much avenues to PROMOTE and keep promotions SUSTAINED. But this is changing.....

With the advent of much better broadcasting equipment- for God's sake, you can record and broadcast in HIGH DEFINITION from a damn Iphone- the monopoly on VENUES need not be held to Western Europe or North America alone.

As said, boxing is much bigger than drunken and deluded Brit fans, and for that matter, bigger than snooty Germans and also much bigger than the boxing Mafia in the USA.

Population wise in Saudi Arabia, I am sure you can get 5 to 10 thousand people to fill a stadium for a world class title fight and get them to shell out $150 USD for even a nosebleed seat. They are good for that. May not be good for that every week. But every 2 or 3 months or so, they can pull it off.