Groves - Froch undercard - Big disappointment !!

"For a special fight like this we need a special undercard with two world title fights on it........" Who said that ??

What we got so far.........

Joshua vs Tomato can............

Mitchell in a meaningless final eliminator we all know fighters don't need eliminators.......Maduma has never fought anybody........and Mitchell has shown he's British standard and no more.

Degale in another meaningless eliminator .......That he doesn't need to fight.....Gonzales is nothing special and can't punch......and Degale is a stinker !!

and McDonnell is fighting a guy who If one glances at his record has hardly fought anybody with a winning record !! Mismatch all the way !!

This guy's last ten opponents are a combined..............85 - 94 - 15.....Disgrace he's even fighting for a title.... Anybody remember Seung soon Lee who was number 1 in the WBA at Welter and was decked twice by Breland and stopped in 54 seconds ???

I said a couple of months ago that the undercard would be poor because he didn't need a decent one mainly because the fight was sold out pretty much straight away..

Sorry that I was right !!.................Maybe Hearn has an ace up his sleeve but I doubt it...........Guess a few more olympians will be chucked some meat !!

Don't get me wrong It wouldn't be a bad Saturday night bill on SKY........But for a huge history making event It's a disappointment..

Think that's it Truss.

Hearn said on twitter that the undercard is 4 fights with possibly 1 floater (so probably a 6 rounder).

Anyone want to buy my tickets?

Let's hope the main event is good Rob.......

Rematch law dictates however that lightning doesn't often strike twice...

People either learn from their mistakes or become more gun shy....

When stinky breath starches the massive international superstar in the first round, there'll be some disappointed punters queuing for the tube. 

Anyway trussy, good to see you finding common ground with strongy. Eddie has the number of the beast lurking under that slick Barnet.

I'm sure the atmosphere will be good but the nearer it gets the less excited I am about it. 

Maybe tonight's ringside will get me more engaged. 

Anyway...

This was Eddie's tweet last night:

@EddieHearn: “@The_Snacks: @EddieHearn how many fights are going to be on the undercard at Wembley? #askeddie” 4 with possibly one float

So... You know... Meh.

milkyboy wrote:When stinky breath starches the massive international superstar in the first round, there'll be some disappointed punters queuing for the tube. 

Anyway trussy, good to see you finding common ground with strongy. Eddie has the number of the beast lurking under that slick Barnet.

I like Hearn as much as you can like any promoter..........Him and his Dad seem to genuinely love sport........

However he's thrown a turd here..

Yeh have to agree here that Hearn has far from lived up to his promise of a strong undercard...for such a big event you'd expect at least one live-wire fight & by that I mean two opponents who are known to be facing one another...

When you consider this weekend you have Mayweather vs Maidana with an undercard of:

Khan v Collazo
J'Leon Love vs Marco Antonio Periban
Broner vs Molina

That is far better undercard than this one...Hearn best hope that Groves & Froch serve up a fight similar to the first because if they don't then 80,000 people could be going home feeling very short changed and boxing may just see its last 'huge stadium super fight' for another 20 odd years!

In all fairness, what fights did you expect ? Hearn has no international connections like Warren had in the 90's. I didnt expect anything different, however he could've explored Smith v Fielding or a small hall domestic clash instead of Mcdonnell vs International fake world title nonsense.

cheers Rodders

What motivation is there anyway if it sells out in 15 minutes based on the headline fight?

Rodney wrote:In all fairness, what fights did you expect ? Hearn has no international connections like Warren had in the 90's. I didnt expect anything different, however he could've explored Smith v Fielding or a small hall domestic clash instead of Mcdonnell vs International fake world title nonsense.

cheers Rodders

Smith - Fielding would have been nice.............

Bit tricky for Hearn. If he is going to shift the type of PPV sales he would probably like to he needs to appeal to the casual occasional fans and the reality is a world title fight, irrespective of its merits means more to them than Smith Fielding or a Buckland Rees rematch. Think for an event of this size the wishes of the hardcore fans are shoved to the side slightly, because the bulk will either being going or likely to buy it irrespective.

The motivation should be to attract more fans. Give the fans decent matchups and they'll keep coming back, feed them rubbish and they'll not bother again, particulalry when your paying extra for it.

Rowley wrote:Bit tricky for Hearn. If he is going to shift the type of PPV sales he would probably like to he needs to appeal to the casual occasional fans and the reality is a world title fight, irrespective of its merits means more to them than Smith Fielding or a Buckland Rees rematch. Think for an event of this size the wishes of the hardcore fans are shoved to the side slightly, because the bulk will either being going or likely to buy it irrespective.

Shouldn't promise an undercard worthy of the "Biggest event in British boxing history" then really,... should he.....Mate.

The reality is that nobody cares about the undercard though. If you go to the stadium these things are empty for most of the undercard. PPV sales will be almost exclusively based on the headline fight. The more hardcore fans complain and pay anyway.

I care about it.........and so do others on here......

Maybe non-Boxing fans don't......Not that I'm insinuating anything Scotty.

Nobody wasn't literal. It just has little impact on revenue.

But I thought I'd take it as literal anyway because I'm feeling pedantic..

I agree with that Scott, nobody will care in the stadium due to the atmosphere etc, us numpty's at home will still buy it (but complain when it turns out bobbins,) and Eddie will still make a fortune. It's still extremely short sighted though and guff like it is why PPV figures dropped last time around. Long term you need to make more fights to get the casual involved.

Derbymanc wrote:I agree with that Scott, nobody will care in the stadium due to the atmosphere etc, us numpty's at home will still buy it (but complain when it turns out bobbins,) and Eddie will still make a fortune. It's still extremely short sighted though and guff like it is why PPV figures dropped last time around. Long term you need to make more fights to get the casual involved.

No 50/50 fights.............Don't mind an all Brit 50/50 bust up !!............But Degale stinks.........and If McDonnell's opponent had beaten Peter Buckley it would probably be his best win.

Derbymanc wrote:I agree with that Scott, nobody will care in the stadium due to the atmosphere etc, us numpty's at home will still buy it (but complain when it turns out bobbins,) and Eddie will still make a fortune. It's still extremely short sighted though and guff like it is why PPV figures dropped last time around. Long term you need to make more fights to get the casual involved.

I just don't think it does get the casual involved much. I went to the Magnificent 7 card by Warren. Some pretty good matchups I thought, but the bars were busier than the arena. The same as the Golden Boy Action Heroes card, was pretty stacked, I don't know how accurate but I read it did 50k buys (EDIT: Apparently Steve Kim confirmed that).

That's what the sport as a whole needs, a proper couple of 50/50 fights so that there's more reason for the casual fan/new fans to watch next time x, y or z is on.

I agree with Scott but whilst the undercard doesn't sell a big fight...........It does add to the spectacle...

The chief support should be a big fight with a 60,000 attendance.......

Hagler - Mugabi had Hearns-Shuler which was viewed as a 50/50 believe it or not..

Hearns - Medal ........Had Mcguigan-Cruz 2nd support and Duran-Sims another 50/50 as chief..

They had 45,000 fans less than the crowd that will be at wembley..

For Christ sake truss this isn't the 1980s anymore, just leave it! Always on about an era you spluff all over. Christ.

Anyway

Undercard isn't great, needed one big domestic dust up and a credible world title fight. Will seem much much worse value for money when Froch knocks the ginger little Poopie through the ropes in the 4th round - you heard it here first. Put your house on it, on in truss's case ask daddy in law if he can give you your months pocket money instead of a weeks.

Izzi wrote:For Christ sake truss this isn't the 1980s anymore, just leave it! Always on about an era you spluff all over. Christ.

Anyway

Undercard isn't great, needed one big domestic dust up and a credible world title fight. Will seem much much worse value for money when Froch knocks the ginger little Poopie through the ropes in the 4th round - you heard it here first. Put your house on it, on in truss's case ask daddy in law if he can give you your months pocket money instead of a weeks.

You feel better now ???

Izzi wrote:For Christ sake truss this isn't the 1980s anymore, just leave it! Always on about an era you spluff all over. Christ.

Anyway

Undercard isn't great, needed one big domestic dust up and a credible world title fight. Will seem much much worse value for money when Froch knocks the ginger little Poopie through the ropes in the 4th round - you heard it here first. Put your house on it, on in truss's case ask daddy in law if he can give you your months pocket money instead of a weeks.

If he doesn't will you promise to leave ??

Cheers Rodders

Rodney wrote:

Izzi wrote:For Christ sake truss this isn't the 1980s anymore, just leave it! Always on about an era you spluff all over. Christ.

Anyway

Undercard isn't great, needed one big domestic dust up and a credible world title fight. Will seem much much worse value for money when Froch knocks the ginger little Poopie through the ropes in the 4th round - you heard it here first. Put your house on it, on in truss's case ask daddy in law if he can give you your months pocket money instead of a weeks.

If he doesn't will you promise to leave ??

Cheers Rodders

Board is lacking mew members like me so I won't be going anywhere old boy. Saying that have finally found some spare time in my day to come back on here... Success doesn't happen and isn't sustainable without hard work you know.

Don't know what's the bigger disappointment, the Hearn card or Izzi's posting again.

Anyway onto the substantive issue, why do people expect better from Hearn?

The under card of the Froch v Groves 1 card was like watching paint dry and Eddie was a very lucky boy with the headline fight as just about everybody expected Froch to steam roll Groves in a few rounds. Without Groves emerging as a significant threat the card would have been one of the worst British PPV's in living memory........yes worse than some of Warrren's domestic PPV's on Sky.

Hopefully people will actually have a proper look at the cards Hearn puts on and be less impressed by his slickness.

There are still people that claim the first fight to have had a stacked (STACKED) card. I'm glad I didn't get tickets now as there are people here at work who did and know nothing about the sport. It'll be 60k of these, many of which will be boozed. The people I know here who are going seem to think the undercard is superb what with a world title fight, an eliminator and Anthony Joshua. So there.

I dont actually think the card is as bad as made out. The McDonnell fight is a bit of a joke but the DeGale and Mitchell fights have the potential to be good competitive fights. It could have done with the McDonnell fight being scrapped and 1 more good competitive domestic scrap instead. Hall/Butler v McDonnell or something like that.

KingMonkey wrote:There are still people that claim the first fight to have had a stacked (STACKED) card.  I'm glad I didn't get tickets now as there are people here at work who did and know nothing about the sport.  It'll be 60k of these, many of which will be boozed.  The people I know here who are going seem to think the undercard is superb what with a world title fight, an eliminator and Anthony Joshua.  So there.

I suspect being paralytic will be an advantage. Hey they can enjoy the atmosphere.

The bigger picture is, short term v long term for Eddie. Once the tix are sold he can feed any old dog to his lions. However, if the show's a flop, does that hamstring him for future stadium fights? I genuinely think he would have been better served strengthening the undercard.

I guess the counter to that is, who is actually going? A small hardcore of fans and a large bunch of casuals who are after a big night out. He may well think that with a good marketing programme he can pull the rabbits out of the hat regularly without a support card.

Good point milky.........Imagine like all big fights it will be 10% fans and 90% ignorant numpties........

I include Halling the commentator in the latter group

Looks like the undercard has been saved just noticed Joshua is facing 38 year old Matt Legg who was stopped by the ancient beach whale version of James Toney.

Cheers Rodders

Rodney wrote:Looks like the undercard has been saved just noticed Joshua is facing 38 year old Matt Legg who was stopped by the ancient beach whale version of James Toney.

Cheers Rodders

I remember his father. Walford guy. A doctor I think?

Bit early for Joshua to be getting in with him

Legg Ko 3

hazharrison wrote:

Rodney wrote:Looks like the undercard has been saved just noticed Joshua is facing 38 year old Matt Legg who was stopped by the ancient beach whale version of James Toney.

Cheers Rodders

I remember his father. Walford guy. A doctor I think?

If he has heritage that has dealt with Nasty Nick, then Joshua should be no problem

Cheers Rodders

AJ needs to be moving quicker than this. Some fights where he might actually learn something, seasoned oldies like Rogey, Sprott, Sexton etc.

I'm not a salesman but surely Matchroom have missed a trick with this one. A huge event in the UK could have showcased Joshua and delivered him to a wider audience, instead its a pointless fight as A) fans wont bother attending the venue early to watch him knock the stuffing out of a overmatched opponent and b) Joshua learns absolutely nothing with this one

Cheers

Rodders

He hasn't a Legg to stand on.

Toppy, all the crud of the top 10, Rogie, Sprott etc are all fighting in that tourney in New Zealand in a few weeks. Prize money for that is half a mill so why fight AJ when there is a chance of some serious coin fighting other has beens and never were's

But this opponent is terrible all the less. Stinks of last minute job

Yeh massively disappointing fight for Joshua and the undercard in general; especially given this is being given coverage over in the states where you'd imagine only the more hardcore fans will be tuning in....

Towers, Danny Hughes, Skelton, Tom Dallas, Sexton, , McDermott...any of these guys would have sufficed!

I just don't see where Joshua is going to learn anything in the next two years...

He's as ready as he'll ever be.........Because there isn't anyone around to teach him anything.....and who is going to take him more than four rounds who isn't at World level and waiting for a shot at the title ??

Kevin Johnson wouldve been my choice, a low risk but a fight to benchmark where Joshua is at.

cheers Rodders

Can only agree with the general disappointment at AJ’s opponent. Is difficult because we live in an age where the 0 is all powerful and should a prospect even dream of picking up a loss he is dismissed as a hype job almost immediately. However for all that Joshua is going to learn nothing against this guy.

There are surely guys like Johnson who represent a step up and know enough to mess a guy around, but are eminently beatable. Joshua is clearly a cut above the bulk of prospects we have in the country, show some faith in the kid and let him off the leash a bit. Anthony had a lot of goodwill of the back of the Olympics and looking like he could be a heavyweight worth getting excited about. Hearn would do well not to push that good will too far. As Audley will attest, an Olympic gold will not give you a pass forever.

A few months ago I wrote that the undercard would be a disappointment mainly because with all the tickets going before it was arranged it didn't need to be that good...

Save the good stuff for future shows etc....

Just wish there was one 50/50 on the support..........

And I was disappointed when they named Sprott as the likely opponent....

At least he won that tournament

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:
Just wish there was one 50/50 on the support..........

In all fairness Truss the Degale fight has the potential to be close, a stinker, but a competitve one. Also McDonnell won't be a complete walk over. Do agree though that is generally disappointing.

Any of you social networking guys know the score what time the weigh in is ?

Cheers Rodders

Legg is comedy level bad. It will be more entertaining watching Hearn try and explain that one in the post fight interview than watching the fight itself.

It's not all bad news... 
Due to a change in plans I've sold my tickets for a decent profit and can now watch Joshua hammer some old fella from the comfort of my sofa.

Degale fight should be good , tough oponent and new promoter, but he will no doubt be getting paid little as it's such a good card and froch and groves have already filled seats so won't want too many other big fights on as they need paying, unfortunately that's how it is. Sometimes better if the main fight is not so big...