U.K fighters

[Proud Warrior]

Why why why do top u.k fighters get lots of preassure to fight in the states? If JC or Hatton win at home it was because of the home advantage.Mayweather said he would never fight in manchester but why should british fighters have to go over there? I know Ricky wanted to fight over there and become big in the states when he could of made more money fighting at the MEN in front of 22,000 fans.

[Arthur]

I agree 100%.

[Amsterdam]

I agree, Mayweather never left the United States, did RJJ ever either? Why does Calzaghe or Hatton get criticised for it then?

[Smazz20]

I can't believe the criticism any fighter gets for wanting to fight at home. I mean, does it really make that much of a difference? Would Calzaghe of lost to Sheika, Mitchell, Brewer, or Lacy if the fights were in America?

Would Eastman have fared better against BHOP if they had fougt in London? It's a pointless argument. A fighter wants to earn as much money as possible in a fight, so why shouldnt they want to fight at home were more people will go to watch them?

[Nico]

I don't think the main criticism is about them only fighting in England. But for me, I would rather they face off against better competition than they had been doing at the domestic level. Before Hatton fought Tszyu, he had been beating up on a bunch of guys at the M.E.N. that I had never heard of, and I couldn't get excited about him facing off against people that he was almost certainly going to KO.

[the_what]

It isnt about where they fight. But who they fight.

[Proud Warrior]

I don't think the main criticism is about them only fighting in England. But for me, I would rather they face off against better competition than they had been doing at the domestic level. Before Hatton fought Tszyu, he had been beating up on a bunch of guys at the M.E.N. that I had never heard of, and I couldn't get excited about him facing off against people that he was almost certainly going to KO.


Tacki,Pep,Phillips,Oliviera,Maggie. His first big domestic fight was against a very respectable John Thaxton.Alot of these fights Hatton had to fight with his eyes cut bad and he just got on with it,never easy!

[Vantage_West]

if your a world champion the world should come to you

[digiram]

If you want World Wide recognition and DLH money, you gotta do it in the country that pays DLH that money....

If they are happy with what they can get in England, then so be it. Just don't run around expecting that all top level opponents have to go to England to fight their top dogs.

Who was the champ, Hatton or Zoo??? Where did they fight??? I agree that it made monetary sense for the fight to happen in England, but that just isn't always gonna be the case.

[codeman99998]

It's the same reason an American Muy Thai fighter has to go to Thailand to be the best. The same reason an American Judo fighter has to fight in Japan to be the best.

The USA historically has the best fighters. It's not so much the case now, but historically it is.

[China_hand_Joe]

It's the same reason an American Muy Thai fighter has to go to Thailand to be the best. The same reason an American Judo fighter has to fight in Japan to be the best.

The USA historically has the best fighters. It's not so much the case now, but historically it is.

That is more to do with the the fan base for those sports in Asia.

[BigEars]

If you want World Wide recognition and DLH money, you gotta do it in the country that pays DLH that money....

If they are happy with what they can get in England, then so be it. Just don't run around expecting that all top level opponents have to go to England to fight their top dogs.

Who was the champ, Hatton or Zoo??? Where did they fight??? I agree that it made monetary sense for the fight to happen in England, but that just isn't always gonna be the case.

Actually in the case of Hatton he will always make more money fighting in Manchester . For instance Hatton v Mayweather could probably sell out the City of Manchester Stadium(over 47,000 capacity) , while in America they wouldn't get over 20,000 .

[Club Fighter]

Because all the things that should matter to a boxer (money, recognition, quality opposition) are all in the states. It's really quite simple actually.

[Jack]

Because all the things that should matter to a boxer (money, recognition, quality opposition) are all in the states. It's really quite simple actually.Money? No fucking chance. If Calzage fought Hopkins, Taylor or anyone else in America tommorow, neither fighter would get as much money as they would in the UK. "Calzaghe" is a guarenteed 30,000 sellout. Plus, most of the money comes from the PPV deal which is not effected by the location of the fight.

Recognition? Yes, but not always. It's not guarenteed, but it helps.

Quality opposition? No. Most fighters fight anywhere. When you get to the top level, there isn't many fighters to choose from and all those should travel anywhere. On a lower level, asbolutely.

I don't agree with this statement, but if you think Hatton ducked Mayweather, then tere is just as much strength in saying "Mayweather ducked Hatton". He rejected a fight i the Uk. Hatton rejected a fight in america. Both times there was good money on the table. et hatton gets vilified for "ducking" PBF :-(

[Club Fighter]

Money? No fucking chance. If Calzage fought Hopkins, Taylor or anyone else in America tommorow, neither fighter would get as much money as they would in the UK. "Calzaghe" is a guarenteed 30,000 sellout. Plus, most of the money comes from the PPV deal which is not effected by the location of the fight.
The PPV deal is affected by the location of the fight unless things are put on time delay. Live in the UK is different from live in the States. It's a time zone thing. Since the States have a whole helluva lot more people than you it would make sense to cater to the time zone of the largest market (states) and inconvenience the smallest (uk) because that's where you'll get the most PPV buys.

Recognition? Yes, but not always. It's not guarenteed, but it helps.
Nah, actually it's always. I'll put it like this, no American fighter ever has to go to the UK to become large.

Quality opposition? No. Most fighters fight anywhere. When you get to the top level, there isn't many fighters to choose from and all those should travel anywhere. On a lower level, asbolutely.
That's the operative word, should. You're talking theoretically, I'm talking realistically. Fighters don't like to fight in the UK because of your notorious hometown decisions (although they're not as bad as Germany's), so they don't. I agree with you, they should. They should fight there, in Africa, Asia, South America, anywhere on Earth so long as they claim to be World Champion. But the fact remains that they don't unless circumstances in their career force them to.

I don't agree with this statement, but if you think Hatton ducked Mayweather, then tere is just as much strength in saying "Mayweather ducked Hatton". He rejected a fight i the Uk. Hatton rejected a fight in america. Both times there was good money on the table. et hatton gets vilified for "ducking" PBF :-(
That's because Hatton had said he wasn't ready for Mayweather at one point although he was World Champion, the man, as many Brits claim, because he beat the man. So answer me this: How the hell can one consider himself world champion and then say he's not ready to fight a prospective opponent in his weight class? That is not the true pedigree of a World Champion. Sounds as if he was trying to hold on to a belt that he knew didn't belong to him. Picture Mayweather holding a belt and claiming he's not ready to fight another man in his same weight class. Unfathomable, despicable even. But that's your Manchester Mexican for you. All hype, no minerals. :conf

[China_hand_Joe]

Nah, actually it's always. I'll put it like this, no American fighter ever has to go to the UK to become large.


Brewer, Mitchell and Lacy all saw fit to go to Europe to try and enchance their reputations by taking on the best.

[BigEars]

Brewer, Mitchell and Lacy all saw fit to go to Europe to try and enchance their reputations by taking on the best.

Super-Middleweight has always been owned by Europe , despite RJJ and James Toney's foray into it .

American's had to fight Calzaghe in the UK .
American's had to fight Ottke in Germany .
American's had to fight Eubank in the UK .
American's had to fight Benn in the UK .

Infact since 1990 there has been one WBC Super Middleweight title fight in the US compared to 19 in the UK and 12 in Germany .

The last WBA Super Middleweight title fight in the US was 5 years ago .

The last WBO Super Middleweight title fight in the US was in 1990 .

Infact only the IBF title has been seen regulary on US shores , yet there have still been more IBF Super-Middleweight title fights in Germany .

[Club Fighter]

Brewer, Mitchell and Lacy all saw fit to go to Europe to try and enchance their reputations by taking on the best.
Nah, brother. They didn't go to enhance their reputation by taking on the best because neither of them took on the best when they got there (except Lacey) and none of the victors actually had their reputation enhanced after winning there. Lacey went there to obtain a belt and failed miserably. Ironically enough, Lacey going to the UK actually enhanced Joe's reputation. He never had the kind of respect and adoration he's enjoyed after the Lacey fight before then and that's fact which actually serves to prove my point.

[teetop]

I don't think the main criticism is about them only fighting in England. But for me, I would rather they face off against better competition than they had been doing at the domestic level. Before Hatton fought Tszyu, he had been beating up on a bunch of guys at the M.E.N. that I had never heard of, and I couldn't get excited about him facing off against people that he was almost certainly going to KO.



If you think that hatton beat up on nothing but patsy's and guys you've never heard of before the tszyu fight, then you don't really
watch the sport pal.
:-(

[SouthLondonsFinest]

notrious hometown decsions? name em. And plse not the Tsyzu fight

[smokey]

Actually in the case of Hatton he will always make more money fighting in Manchester . For instance Hatton v Mayweather could probably sell out the City of Manchester Stadium(over 47,000 capacity) , while in America they wouldn't get over 20,000 .

They sell a whole lot of cheap seats in the UK, too. For a major fight here you're in nosebleed seats for $350 US a seat... usually more than that. I've been to non-televised fights that cost me over $70 US and floor seats cost close to $300 US... for non-televised fights.

I think larger venues could sell for big fights if they lowered ticket prices. Still, bottom line is that, in most cases, you make more money off a US audience. The gate is just part of the picture. There's guaranteed network money and PPV shares. When did Hatton personally clear a multi-million dollar payday in MEN?

[jimmy kerr]

hatton knows his talent and he wanted to flaunt it to the american public, bad move i think, the americans are very bias and critical, they never respect the good brits

[WhataRock]

Ottke would never have been the fighter he was if he didnt fight at home.

The truth of the matter is he got 2 or 3 hometown decisions in his career. Mostly late in his career.

He made millions with not a great deal of atheltic ability, an ugly physique and head (you have to admit it matters) and a pretty boring style.
He was adored by his fans and usually fought in front of sold out audiences.
He never fought outside of his homeland.

A guy like Ottke would have never been popular in the U.S and the networks would have taken his title at the very first close decision he was involved in.

[smokey]

hatton knows his talent and he wanted to flaunt it to the american public, bad move i think, the americans are very bias and critical, they never respect the good brits

Maybe some, but I think the American audience generally just likes good fighters. Mexican fighters do huge here, even when beating down American fighters. The crowd was outraged at the decision in Lennox Hollyfield I.

I personally find British sports fans insane, and can't talk sports at all with my Brit friends in person. However, I was a Lennox fan since before the McCall loss. At the same time I was a fan, I could admit I understood why a lot of people thought he was often boring. Watching someone technically dismantle and opponent, but not go in and take the risk to go for a KO is boring for people who came to see the KO.

[China_hand_Joe]

The atmosphere at a big fight in Britain is untouchable, that is the biggest thing we have going for us.

[smokey]

The atmosphere at a big fight in Britain is untouchable, that is the biggest thing we have going for us.

That's because the Brits are crazy. :nut

[China_hand_Joe]

That's because the Brits are crazy. :nut

Brits are alcoholic morons, especially Hatton fans.

[China_hand_Joe]

Alcoholics? No, Brits just get behind thier team/man at whatever sport it is, no other fans in the world compare.

Did you hear the high pitched support for South Korea at the last World Cup?

[Jack]

The PPV deal is affected by the location of the fight unless things are put on time delay. Live in the UK is different from live in the States. It's a time zone thing. Since the States have a whole helluva lot more people than you it would make sense to cater to the time zone of the largest market (states) and inconvenience the smallest (uk) because that's where you'll get the most PPV buys.I understand that, but there is absolutely no reason why time delay should affect things. I know Lewis got a big buyrate when he went to South Africa to fight.

Plus when we have a big fight, it always takes place at 2am - To ensure that there is no problems with the delay. Give me the last PPV fight held in Britain to start early, for you. It's only really Calzaghe, I think. Some European countries, Germany especially, don't adjust and have fights to suit them, but in the UK, we do.
Nah, actually it's always. I'll put it like this, no American fighter ever has to go to the UK to become large.That wasn't the point I was making. You are right in what you said, but not every non-US fighter has to go to America to gain fame. People like Ottke for instance. he always fought in his omeland when he was a star, yet was far bigger doing that than he would have if he went to america.
That's the operative word, should. You're talking theoretically, I'm talking realistically. Fighters don't like to fight in the UK because of your notorious hometown decisions (although they're not as bad as Germany's), so they don't. I agree with you, they should. They should fight there, in Africa, Asia, South America, anywhere on Earth so long as they claim to be World Champion. But the fact remains that they don't unless circumstances in their career force them to.Then surely you could make a case for them ducking fighters? What is the difference in Hatton not going to America, and Mayweather not coming to Britain if the money is roughly the same? None at all.
That's because Hatton had said he wasn't ready for Mayweather at one point although he was World Champion, the man, as many Brits claim, because he beat the man. So answer me this: How the hell can one consider himself world champion and then say he's not ready to fight a prospective opponent in his weight class? That is not the true pedigree of a World Champion. Sounds as if he was trying to hold on to a belt that he knew didn't belong to him. Picture Mayweather holding a belt and claiming he's not ready to fight another man in his same weight class. Unfathomable, despicable even. But that's your Manchester Mexican for you. All hype, no minerals. :confAgain, it wasn't just Hatton rejecting the fights. Hatton said he would fight in britain, but for the fight to take place in America, he needed to make a nae out there first. Like Calzaghe has done with his recent sub-par opposition. European fighters can't just walk into the big fights in America, because it makes no sense financially. It's nowhere near as clear cut as Hatton avoided Mayweather. He rejected the fight, yes, but he has doen the very things needed to allow the fight to happen. For the fight to take place in America (And Mayweather refused to fight anywhere else because the money wasn't right), he needed to make a name for himself across the pond. he has done exactly that and will be in a position after the Castillo fight to make the bout happen. What has Mayweather done to make it happen? Nothing. Hatton has forced the big buts to happen, by going to America.

EDIT: Just for some numbers, Mayweather wanted $20million to fight in England. Cosidering Mayweather is nothing like a draw, and will never make close to that money in his career without a DLH rematch, how is that not ducking Hatton? Hatton could not get a fight in America, for fucks sake.

[David UK]

I don't think the main criticism is about them only fighting in England. But for me, I would rather they face off against better competition than they had been doing at the domestic level. Before Hatton fought Tszyu, he had been beating up on a bunch of guys at the M.E.N. that I had never heard of, and I couldn't get excited about him facing off against people that he was almost certainly going to KO.



If you hadn't heard of Tackie,Phillips,Oliveria, you're not a very serious boxing fan then.

[David UK]

They sell a whole lot of cheap seats in the UK, too. For a major fight here you're in nosebleed seats for $350 US a seat... usually more than that.

The cheapest seats for Hatton v Castillo are £35, about the same price for cheapest seats at a big fight in the UK