Question Regarding Limond vs Barrett

[Beeston Brawler]

Obviously a few people have been getting their claws stuck into Willie Limond and his trainer Billy Nelson over the WBU 'title' fight with Ryan Barrett..... mainly over the fact that the coveted WBU title was on the line.

Obviously the WBU 'title' is regarded as a complete and utter joke for a variety of reasons by not only us as boxing fans, but fighters, promoters and journalists alike.

Would this fight have attracted so much criticism from the ESB British Forum had it been for a different fake/not very important alphabet title, such as the IBC, UBO or WBE?

Has Ricky Hatton's four year reign of error and George Foreman/Tommy Hearns being gifted belts done the organisation mortal damage?

[achillesthegreat]

The WBU is the most popular piece of shit. It is a piece of shit that is destroying British boxing. Why are quality fighters like Jennings, Lockett etc fighting for the piece of shit when they should be mixing it up in good domestic scraps for titles that mean something and give them a genuine legacy.

The WBU is a genuine piece of shit. These trinkets anger me.

[GazOC]

I couldn't give a shit either way, I can recognize a fight between any two given boxers for what it it is, domestic level, Euro level etc..... If the promoters want to advertise is as being for a WBU title to put some more bums on seats then I don't really have a problem with that.

[robpalmer135]

I think there are a few things.

1) The WBU is the most high profile of the bogus titles.

2) The WBU has and continues to be advertised to Boxing Fans and the public as a legitimate world title.

3) For a period of around 5 years the WBU was used, by the most unpopular British Promoter Frank ******, as a way of having title fights without the risk of fighting decent opponents that proper governing bodies provide through mandatory challangers and rankings.

4) The majority of these fights should have been for the British Title, a belt that is held in very high regard by all British Boxing fans.

5) It has allowed fighters to bypass the tradition British/Commonwealth-European route to a world title.

6) Because of certain ****** fighters not being British or European champions it allowed them to avoid dangerous fights that fans would want to see. Hatton vs Witter being the prime example.

7) I cannot think of many times that another "3rd tier belt" that has been used in a televised main event. The WBF fight between Harrison and Francis is the only one I can think off.

Here is a list off all WBU title fights. Page 1 and 2 are the beginning and end of the Frank ****** years. You can pick out 30 fights that should of been for British titles.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[robpalmer135]

Oh and just to point out................I did not start this thread LOL.


I think one belt that seems to have creeped into the "big 4" under the radar is the IBO. Most of there champions are recognised as the number 1 in the division, but, the belt was generally either handed to them or the vacant title has been put on the line in a fight without a belt. Its very clever of them but in truth the belt has no value and there are no mandatorys.

It will be interesting to see if Sky put Matthew Hatton vs ??? as a Friday Fight Night maine event to see the reaction.

[GazOC]

The IBO are doing what the IBF did when they started up. The 3 most respected world champs at the time were Curry, Hagler and Holmes so the IBF made them their champions when the organization started up, voila!!! a short cut to a little credibility!!

[achillesthegreat]

I couldn't give a shit either way, I can recognize a fight between any two given boxers for what it it is, domestic level, Euro level etc..... If the promoters want to advertise is as being for a WBU title to put some more bums on seats then I don't really have a problem with that.

You should have a problem with it. Those bums that are put on the seats are misguided. Those bums end up not knowing what is what and get bored of the sport.

Its like Ernie said, there is 1 world but you got to follow 10 world champs. Bollocks.

[GazOC]

Please don't try tell me what I should or shouldn't have a problem with. IMHO theres a lot of fake concern doing the rounds about the "casual" fans getting conned, most of them are either aware that the WBU is very much a lesser title or they just go to the boxing for a night out and are quite happliy ignorant of the fact.

[royalt0208]

I don't want to tell a fighter how to make a living and if it does genuinely bring in more money then I won't hold it against them for making more money. But does it really make a fight more financially attractive, I don't think so all it does is add on extra costs in sanctioning body fees. I don't understand why fighters and promoters can't make fight a 12x3 or a 10x3 nowadays without a title on the line I don't see why having a bogus title would bring in make a fight more creditible.
Why couldn't the Limond-Barrrett fight be a British Title Eliminator? If Willy wants a shot at big fights surely that would prevent him from being ducked. I would definately fancy him to win a vacant title if Murray or Thaxton didn't face him and surely that would bring in more money and bring him a whole load more credibility.

[Beeston Brawler]

I don't want to tell a fighter how to make a living and if it does genuinely bring in more money then I don't hold it against them. But does it really make a fight more financially attractive, I don't think so all it does is add on extra costs in sanctioning body fees. I don't understand why fighters and promoters can't make fight a 12x3 or a 10x3 nowadays without a title on the line I don't see why having a bogus title would bring in make a fight more creditible.
Why couldn't the Limond-Barrrett fight be a British Title Eliminator? If Willy wants a shot at big fights surely that would prevent him from being ducked. I would definately fancy him to win a vacant title if Murray or Thaxton didn't face him and surely that would bring in more money and bring him a whole load more credibility.

Exactly what I have always thought.

[robpalmer135]

I don't want to tell a fighter how to make a living and if it does genuinely bring in more money then I won't hold it against them for making more money. But does it really make a fight more financially attractive, I don't think so all it does is add on extra costs in sanctioning body fees. I don't understand why fighters and promoters can't make fight a 12x3 or a 10x3 nowadays without a title on the line I don't see why having a bogus title would bring in make a fight more creditible.
Why couldn't the Limond-Barrrett fight be a British Title Eliminator? If Willy wants a shot at big fights surely that would prevent him from being ducked. I would definately fancy him to win a vacant title if Murray or Thaxton didn't face him and surely that would bring in more money and bring him a whole load more credibility.

Any promoter will tell you that even having a bogus title on the line will sell more tickets. Whether that covers the cost of sanctioning fees. I get the feeling that a WBU title fight fee and a double cheeseburger at MacDonalds are around the same price.

[royalt0208]

Any promoter will tell you that even having a bogus title on the line will sell more tickets. Whether that covers the cost of sanctioning fees. I get the feeling that a WBU title fight fee and a double cheeseburger at MacDonalds are around the same price.

I know thats what they say but I think it is utter crap. Let's be honest the people who will be watching fights involving the likes of Limond, Jennings, Lockett etc. are going to be their local fans (friends, family) and I seriously doubt that people will see the WBU is on the line and think f**k me I have to see this.

My point the Limond-Barrett fight could have been a British Title Eliminator or a Commonwealth Eliminator and I am sure that the 600 that we're their on Friday would still have been there and I doubt that now he has one the belt that will have won him 10,000 new fans.
And surely if the fight had been a title elimantor he would have either got a shot at Murray or McAllister and if they ducked him then maybe the BBBofC would have stripped them and put Willie up for a chance to fight for the vacant title and I would fancy Willie against the likes of Lawton, Buckland etc. Also by having that belt surely that would get him a onto Sky, ITV etc. which would bring in more money and provided he succesfully defended the belt which I think he could he could that would get him into even bigger fights and bring in more money.

[mike464]

It's very strange. At least with the WBO and IBO there seem to be a few people who regard them as legitimate titles. There doesn't seem to be anyone who sees the WBU that way. Apart from Willie Limmond, Ricky Hatton and obviously the king of the Mickey Mouse titles, Frank ******.

[robpalmer135]

I know thats what they say but I think it is utter crap. Let's be honest the people who will be watching fights involving the likes of Limond, Jennings, Lockett etc. are going to be their local fans (friends, family) and I seriously doubt that people will see the WBU is on the line and think f**k me I have to see this.

My point the Limond-Barrett fight could have been a British Title Eliminator or a Commonwealth Eliminator and I am sure that the 600 that we're their on Friday would still have been there and I doubt that now he has one the belt that will have won him 10,000 new fans.
And surely if the fight had been a title elimantor he would have either got a shot at Murray or McAllister and if they ducked him then maybe the BBBofC would have stripped them and put Willie up for a chance to fight for the vacant title and I would fancy Willie against the likes of Lawton, Buckland etc. Also by having that belt surely that would get him a onto Sky, ITV etc. which would bring in more money and provided he succesfully defended the belt which I think he could he could that would get him into even bigger fights and bring in more money.

Limmond seems to think he can fill Partick Thistles ground (5000) with a WBU title fight.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Listen to this sound clip when Limmond is annouced as the new WBU World Champion how mental his fans are going.

It 100% helps sell tickets. Why else would a promoter do it???

Also Barret vs Limmond should not of been valid as a British Title eliminator as Barret is a Super Featherweight.

[Beeston Brawler]

Limmond seems to think he can fill Partick Thistles ground (5000) with a WBU title fight.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Listen to this sound clip when Limmond is annouced as the new WBU World Champion how mental his fans are going.

It 100% helps sell tickets. Why else would a promoter do it???

Also Barret vs Limmond should not of been valid as a British Title eliminator as Barret is a Super Featherweight.

Now you are really splitting hairs.

[billy nelson]

rob limond has never said he could fill a football ground,you said only 600 people watched the fight with barret,H&S only allowed for that amount as previously explained to you,you telling porkies again?

[robpalmer135]

except I am not. Listen to the sound clip. He says I want to box at Partick Thistle Ground. He would not of said that if he did not think he could do it, and there is ni point having a fight in a stadium if you cannot fill it.

[HairyHighlander]

except I am not. Listen to the sound clip. He says I want to box at Partick Thistle Ground. He would not of said that if he did not think he could do it, and there is ni point having a fight in a stadium if you cannot fill it.

He wanted to fight at MSG. That fell through.

My point, any fighter can WANT to fight anywhere.

I wanna fight at my local stadium, dont mean i expect/presume it will be full.

I still WANT to fight there.


Rob, you really arent helping yourself. Your bordering on delerious regarding Limond.

Is he on your dartboard too ?

Its funny, after all that posts on "that" other thread, you turn to the boy and say " ok, if you do say you are the such and such.i will make another post "

1. Sounds like you admitted he never actually said such a thing.

2. Get the fuck out of here eh.

[achillesthegreat]

Please don't try tell me what I should or shouldn't have a problem with. IMHO theres a lot of fake concern doing the rounds about the "casual" fans getting conned, most of them are either aware that the WBU is very much a lesser title or they just go to the boxing for a night out and are quite happliy ignorant of the fact.

Don't come on a forum if you don't want other peoples opinions.

I think you'll find that the true mainstream fans aren't clued up enough cos they aren't sure of the differences between the belts, divisions etc It's all gotten too much.

Everyone at my work is aware of the mainstream fighters like Haye, Khan, Hatton etc but need to be educated about what the fight means etc

[NO MAS]

except I am not. Listen to the sound clip. He says I want to box at Partick Thistle Ground. He would not of said that if he did not think he could do it, and there is ni point having a fight in a stadium if you cannot fill it.

He might have said he wanted to box at Partick Thistle's ground... I don't think he mentioned the pitch?? and if he did say that.... so what??

Don't knock Limmonds ambition...... The vision of filling a football stadium might be what fuels his fire for glory when his alarm clock goes off when it is pissing down with rain for his early morning run...:happy:happy

A few football grounds have suites that hold some great boxing shows for up and coming fighters as well as fighters that are established.... The Reebok Stadium, The KC Stadium to name two.. I bet lots more punters on here could reel em off.... :think:think

[billy nelson]

i will ask again rob "willie limond never said he would fill a football ground"! you really need to get a life my freind your mind is imagining these statementes lol

[GazOC]

Don't come on a forum if you don't want other peoples opinions.

Don't try and twist this around, I don't have any problem you, or anyone else, having opinions, it was you who just dismissed my opinion by trying to tell me what I should or shouldn't be bothered about.


I think you'll find that the true mainstream fans aren't clued up enough cos they aren't sure of the differences between the belts, divisions etc It's all gotten too much.

Everyone at my work is aware of the mainstream fighters like Haye, Khan, Hatton etc but need to be educated about what the fight means etc



A decent proportion of mainstream fans don't care about the ins and out of the organization bodies, they just want good fights with exciting, skillfull boxers. They don't want to be "educated" by the hardcore fans, just a decent night out at the fights.

[Robert]

Billy it must annoy you, you spend so much time repeating yourself to bellends on this forum because they just dont understand, nice to know Ricky Burns can eat his dinner of your gym floors!

[ryanm8655]

At the end of the day if there was no gain to making a fight a WBU title fight then fights wouldn't be made such...

Boxing promoters are businessmen, they know more about making money and what makes money than you or I...

The Barrett - Limond fight wouldn't even have been talked about beyond a few posts had it not been for the WBU title...

And I do think the WBU title is lame but meh...

[Robert]

well said ryanm8655

[billy nelson]

robert you would have more chance ricky throwing his dinner up on the floor after a session in the gym lol:hi:

[NO MAS]

I am looking forward to watching Ricky Burns next fight... he seems to have come along way since the Carl Johannsen fight? :good

[achillesthegreat]

Don't try and twist this around, I don't have any problem you, or anyone else, having opinions, it was you who just dismissed my opinion by trying to tell me what I should or shouldn't be bothered about.

A decent proportion of mainstream fans don't care about the ins and out of the organization bodies, they just want good fights with exciting, skillfull boxers. They don't want to be "educated" by the hardcore fans, just a decent night out at the fights.

You simply took my initial response to strongly. I don't think I could reword it any other way. You should have a problem with it. Given that it is a forum, it is your prerogative (sp) to listen to me or not.

If boxing was easier to understand then those mainstream fans would get more into boxing thus making the sport bigger and better.

[billy nelson]

yes no mas ricky to his credit has knuckled down and adapted a new style he has improved loads and still is,his sparring partners would tell you so, rickys a great lad whose's completly in love with this sport and trains his ass off to acheive his dreams

[Darni187]

Barrett went to my secondary school Bexleyheath the little fucker, and lives 5 min drive from my house. I was a year or 2 above him.