Hats off to Sky and Haye...

[Losfer_Words]

... the promotion for this fight has been nothing short of superb. Sky have, understandably, milked the size difference in this fight, and have pretty much sold the event to the casuals who might not usually watch as 'a freak show not to be missed'.

I was chatting to a dude at college yesterday and I said to him that this is, without a doubt, the biggest and best promotion in the UK since PBF-Hatton (incidentally on SBO as well); everyone is talking about it and it's crossed over into the mainstream with Haye doing shedloads of promotion himself as well. Another dude in my class who has never even expressed interest in boxing before was even talking about it. This fight has really caught on with the casuals, for obvious reasons, but still, it's pretty amazing seeing boxing getting the column inches and airtime it deserves as well as getting the general public engaged in bigtime boxing- after all, this is a genuine world title fight in boxing's blue ribband division.

Boxing is dead? Not a chance. Boxing isn't a sport that is in intensive care surrounded by it's small, loyal band of nostalgic followers vainly keeping watch hoping that one day it comes back to life and returns to it's former glory at the top of the sporting tree. The build-up and anticipation amongst the casual fan for ths fight just proves that the interest is there amongst the general public for intriguing match-ups in boxing. If anything it highlights what boxing needs more of to grow, IMO. Take note, naysayers.

:good

[Clivicus]

The promotion overall has been superb. Towards the end of last week and all of this week, I have seen at least half a page dedicated towards this fight in numerous daily papers.

Hopefully, the papers will stick with this sort of coverage of all 'bigger' fights like they used to in the mid 90's

[nip102]

just hope the fight ain't shit

[JIM KELLY]

Metro free paper love their boxing...

[safc1990]

If Haye wins on Saturday, beats Ruiz as that will be his likely mandatory, then face one of the Klitschko's the promotion would be huge, I'm really pumped for Saturday night now. :happy:happy

[pijo]

Yep, everyone has got an opinion on this fight, even in the gym where ssn is on all the time I've noticed a few gathering around talking about it. I think alot of it is due to the freak size of Valuev but it is a very good promotion on Skys part and Haye, appearing on shows like soccer am and Paul O'Grady.

I just hope this fight has some regular action as Haye's career will take off big time.

[Mike_S]

Well said, it has been promoted very, very well.

[djoc175]

Yes
It should do half decent numbers.Haye has been out and about alot promoting the fight well.Soccer AM is a good place to sell it with all the football/sport fans(boxing casuals?) that will be tuned in to that on a saturday morning.

[Strike]

I knew it was a success when my Mum (who NEVER watches boxing) texted me saying "So can Haye beat this freaky Russian giant?".

[Beeston Brawler]

Hopefully Ruiz will get beat as well, then we don't have to watch Haye vs Ruiz.

Then again, knowing his links to the WBA, it will cause them to strip Haye and award it to him anyway.

[Grant1]

They've done a first class job. Credit to them.

People in my office are talking about it today. People who know nothing about boxing.

[brown bomber]

They should have done a 24/7. This fight is massive without it though.

[TheUzi]

They should have done a 24/7. This fight is massive without it though.


Absolutely!
Would've been VERY interesting. Any 24/7 with Haye would be quality,imagine if there was one should he secure the Wlad bout???

The closer the fight nears,i find myself liking Valuev more and more. Just the way he's going about his business has impressed me.

[Mazallan]

Yep the 24/7 would have been great apart from all the Haye and Booth kissing.

[djoc175]

Valuev in a 24/7?
Doesn't capture my imagination.

[foreverleeds]

... the promotion for this fight has been nothing short of superb. Sky have, understandably, milked the size difference in this fight, and have pretty much sold the event to the casuals who might not usually watch as 'a freak show not to be missed'.

I was chatting to a dude at college yesterday and I said to him that this is, without a doubt, the biggest and best promotion in the UK since PBF-Hatton (incidentally on SBO as well); everyone is talking about it and it's crossed over into the mainstream with Haye doing shedloads of promotion himself as well. Another dude in my class who has never even expressed interest in boxing before was even talking about it. This fight has really caught on with the casuals, for obvious reasons, but still, it's pretty amazing seeing boxing getting the column inches and airtime it deserves as well as getting the general public engaged in bigtime boxing- after all, this is a genuine world title fight in boxing's blue ribband division.

Boxing is dead? Not a chance. Boxing isn't a sport that is in intensive care surrounded by it's small, loyal band of nostalgic followers vainly keeping watch hoping that one day it comes back to life and returns to it's former glory at the top of the sporting tree. The build-up and anticipation amongst the casual fan for ths fight just proves that the interest is there amongst the general public for intriguing match-ups in boxing. If anything it highlights what boxing needs more of to grow, IMO. Take note, naysayers.

:good


Yep, I've got to agree. Sky have done an excellent job on this, they've managed to generate big interest outside of the core boxing public.

I wonder if Froch is sitting at home thinking "why did virtually nobody outside of Nottingham realise I had a big fight a few weeks ago?"

[sdavi3680]

The Sun newspaper has 3 pages dedicated to it today. That must really help. I think having that level of exposure in The Sun really opens it up. Many many people who perhaps wouldn't have even heard of it or only knew about it faintly, but had no real interest would be hyped after reading that.
I wouldn't be surprised if this one breaks some kind of British PPV record. Loads of non-boxing fans will buy it just for the David vs Goliath thing.

[trotter]

Haye's writing a daily column in the London Evening Standard too

While I tip my hat to Haye and Sky, it's not rocket science. It just shows how dismal a job Hennessey has done with Froch

[DavidPayne]

They even managed an X-Factor link today - genius.

[DavidPayne]

I wish there was a Like This option.

I rate Hennessey as a sound-guy who sticks to his principles but you're right. Froch should be on mainstream telly now.

[dan-b]

I've had the music from the adverts going through my head all day.:lol:

[Evil Rich]

I have to agree, I was shocked to see Haye being the main page article of skysports.com here for build up to the fight. I can't wait for the fight and admit I am starting to go into Haye nut hugger mode, anyone who fights out of England for a world title always gets my full support...




























Except Matthew Hatton.....



















...the cunt!

[icemax]

Except Matthew Hatton.....





...the cunt!

:lol::lol::lol:

[dan-b]

Matthew Hatton isn't fighting for a world title.

[Evil Rich]

Matthew Hatton isn't fighting for a world title.

You know what I meant :tong I just wanted to call Matthew Hatton a cunt.

[dan-b]

You know what I meant :tong I just wanted to call Matthew Hatton a cunt.

I happen to agree.:good

[bratwurzt]

Would it be presumptious to say that despite Valuev being the champion, it is actually Haye's behaviour that has resulted in him getting a decent payday. Valuev should be very grateful of this particularly if he wins.

[Risque Reward]

THis is the level the publicity has reached. Story has absolutley nothing to do with Haye or boxing but somehow the hayemaker is mentioned. Could you of imaged this 2 weeks ago??

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

He wins this fight in style he is proper mainstream. He will be EVERYWHERE

[PaddyD1983]

Agreed.

But it's a little concerning that we're applauding this rather than it being the norm. Froch fight should have been as big.

Fair play to sky and Haye though - hopefully it will convince people (terrestrial TV) that there is a receptive audience if you tap into it.

[achillesthegreat]

i was worried a week ago. they've really stepped it up now.

my whole office is talking about it a couple of times a day.

we got 4 bets at the moment and more are being made.

here are the bets:
NEW BET - alec (valuev) vs christian (haye) £20 - christian has given him 2 to 1 odds!!!
hooman (valuev) vs christian (haye) £10 - christian has given him 2 to 1 odds!!!
sam (valuev) vs fadi (haye) £10
phil (fight will go past 5 rounds) vs dan (fight will end inside 5 rounds) £10

[Kid Lucky]

Yeh, I'm amazed how many people are talking about this who aren't boxing fans.

Even my missus - who hates boxing - knew who was fighting and a bit about Valuev.

There's been stuff in most papers I've seen most days too. Perhaps Hayemaker is a better promoter than some gave credit for. Or it might just be tune in for the freakshow.

[slip&counter]

hats off to Haye yes, but i disagree that sky have promoted it well, they could've done a much better job imo.

[G.A.V.]

Personally it pisses me off. A couple of guys at work are just flanked by this fight. For the past few weeks I've been like "You watching the fight this weekend? (Mayweather/Marquez, Froch/Dirrell) and they instantly go "Haye?". Then start jabbering on about how he's fighting an 11 foot monstrosity. Really boring topic I feel. I only wish they'd give this much promotion to a fight that was exciting.

[Trenaman]

Dont doubt they have done a good job but the real proof will be in the numbers. Its one thing for the non boxing fans to mention it or read about it in a free paper but how many of those interested now will actually watch the fight paying £15! I dont doubt that this would get 10million plus viewers were it on ITV1 at 10pm but generally bandwagon jumpers dont put their hands in their pockets, they'll merely tell me about the fight from what they read in the free papers on monday! Hope i am wrong tho.

[KingCobra]

Yeah, this fight has captured imaginations where I work too. My colleagues keep asking if Haye can win, they don't believe me when I tell them that it's possible if not likely. I keep referring them to the odds.

[Ilesey]

Will be interested to see what the next two build up programmes have in stall for us.

[DamonD]

I just fear interest will drain away quickly if Haye loses. He's really gotta win this one...for himself, for the heavyweight division in general and for heavyweight boxing in the UK.

Not being too melodramatic I hope ;)

[mckay_89]

They were talking about it on Clyde 1 Radio this morning when I was on my way into work, I don't think they've spoke about boxing on there since Hatton v Mayweather. Hats off to Haye and his promotion team, everyone's talking about this fight.

[RichT]

Great to see Haye getting some recognition for his promotional work. Pisses me off when people complain so much about the way he bad mouths other fighters. The guy is a decent bloke. He just knows how to sell a fight!

Agree that all of this attention won't necessarily turn into PPV buys (although it will undoubtedly do more than Khan's recent attempts) but if he wins in style people will feel they've missed out if they didn't buy it and the numbers for his next fight will go up again. No-one can turn things around overnight. Think team Haye have done a great job:good

Can't wait for fight night!

[djoc175]

They'll need to be on their game to drum up interest in the ensuing Ruiz trilogy(if Haye wins)

[RichT]

They'll need to be on their game to drum up interest in the ensuing Ruiz trilogy(if Haye wins)

Who has this guy been fucking to keep his ranking for so long? :?