Mayweather-Marquez will go head-to-head with UFC 103
by SC on Jul 16, 2009 7:30 PM EDT
in News
30 comments
It had been rumored, and now it's confirmed. UFC 103 in Texas will go head-to-head with Mayweather-Marquez on September 19, which isn't really that big of a deal but I'm sure it will be made out to be one. As usual, Jake Rossen does his "oh those boxing fans!" schtick:
Who wins? It wouldn't surprise me to see Mayweather come out ahead in this battle, if not the war. The 19th falls near Mexican Independence Day, and it is obvious promoters see that as an appropriate hook to help enlist Marquez's fan base. It's also a pretty transparent attempt to hold a trump card over a rapidly ascending rival combat sport -- a nice "we beat you" talking point for the stand-up contingent.
If there's a boxing fan or promoter out there that thinks this sport is more popular than the UFC is in America, please speak up so I know who Rossen and guys like him are continually talking about. We understand facts and TV ratings and PPV buys and things. No one's trying to front, even if they are hardcore MMA haters.
It's a pretty nice UFC card, too. Obviously I'll be watching Mayweather-Marquez, and so will lots of other people, and if the boxing show is a huge success and UFC doesn't "win" that night, hooray for Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
I guess Rich Franklin is going to be on this card. Seriously, if Mayweather-Marquez beats a Rich Franklin-led UFC bill, then so what? Shouldn't it?
Dana White chimed in on Mayweather-Marquez in June:
"It's a fight people really aren't interested in," Dana White told ESPN 1100 of the boxing match in June. "I love boxing, [but] boxing is in big trouble. This next fight with Floyd isn't a big fight." White added that he had heard Mayweather was cautioned to steer clear of a UFC event night.
He might well be right on the first point. He's not basing the second point on anything but the usual fodder. Boxing is not in big trouble. Boxing isn't really in any trouble. UFC did not take boxing's fans in any truly substantial number. What UFC did was market and promote so efficiently and effectively that they created entirely new sports fans, or at least fans new to combat sports that couldn't ever have given a crap about boxing or anything else before. UFC is a machine and Dana White is a brilliant promoter, but I'll bet my right foot that boxing isn't going anywhere, and not existing is really the only "big trouble" the sport can get into. HBO and Showtime are going to continue to air boxing and there's going to continue to be millions of dollars pumped into major fights. This "big trouble" stuff is jibber-jabber. Boxing isn't a mainstream sport, probably won't be ever again. It is a niche sport, same as MMA, just not as close to that mainstream breakthrough and not "on the rise." It's going to be really interesting to see where UFC and MMA are in five years. It really could become an even bigger phenomenon, or it may have peaked. That's something I wouldn't bet on either way.
0 recs |
30 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Same redundant shit from the same people….
Fact is that Hispanics and boxing fans will tune in… that is boxing demographic.
MMA fans want to dismiss the Hispanic market as if they are an insignificant… go ahead.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Jul 16, 2009 7:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i don’t think it’s necessarily the “MMA Fans” that dismiss the Hispanic Market. I’d say that has more to do with the MMA Media.
by asmiley420 on Jul 16, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
point taken and noted ;)
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Jul 16, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is the boxing demographics.
Boxing has always been an ethnic driven sport from the start and still is to this day.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Jul 16, 2009 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UFC vs. Boxing
I think that the UFC show could do close numbers to Mayweather/Marquez. However, there are a couple things working for the boxing match.
First off, there hasn’t been a hyped superfight since Hatton/Pac, so I think boxing fans want to see a big fight. It’s time.
Second, the 24/7 special is going to work in their favor. I imagine Mayweather will sell a lot of people on this fight just by his obnoxious behavior alone. The problem will be portraying Marquez as someone who can beat him, or at least get the casual fans interested in him as part of the story and as someone who has a chance. Mayweather’s personality is so big that it could overshadow Marquez. But the HBO production crew is good enough to overcome that I think.
If this UFC card beats boxing on that night, it’s because the UFC brand is hot. Even if Franklin and Cro Cop fight on this card, it’s still a bottom barrel UFC card when it comes to main events. This will probably be the lowest bought PPV for the UFC this year that wasn’t an international show.
This is a very interesting story. I still think boxing wins the PPV buys war, but it’s really supposed to.
by roheblius on Jul 16, 2009 9:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I read on Inside Fights that the UFC card might end up on Spike cuz they don’t wanna go up against Mayweather/Marquez.
by ultimoshogun on Jul 17, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I haven’t heard for sure this is the case. If it is, that definitely changes the dynamics. I wonder what the UFC’s strategy is here. I guess to get the most eyeballs. However, in order to do that, they’re going to throw away millions of dollars to put it on TV.
Very interesting dynamic here.
by roheblius on Jul 17, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mayweather-Marquez has a killer main event, with what i presume would be a meh undercard.
UFC 103 has a meh main event and a stacked undercard.
I forsee a lot of site-jumping on the 19th.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by Ubernoober on Jul 16, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s actually a pretty good undercard. Zab Judah-Matthew Hatton isn’t big, but it’s sort of interesting, and the Chris John-Rocky Juarez rematch is a really good support fight.
by SC on Jul 16, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t know that, thanks.
I’m kind of annoyed by this macho “I’m going to go head to head with you!” atitude, they’re making us have to choose. Its counter-productive.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by Ubernoober on Jul 16, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love the John/Juarez fight being on this card.
by roheblius on Jul 17, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im ok with this
but pray to God that its not a crappy dissappointing fight and some epic UFC slugfest simultaneously leaving the boxing fans with a bad taste in their mouths wishing they had watched the UFC instead.
by ryanwk628 on Jul 16, 2009 11:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So I am a big MMA fan and boxing fan...
Sorry Dana…. Floyd Mayweather gets my money on September 19th. UFC 103 is a complete garbage card and I have zero interest in watching it. I’m not really a Floyd Mayweather fan, but I’ll watch him fight anytime… I’m hoping that if Mayweather can beat Marquez… we’ll see Mayweather vs Pacquiao, finally.
George Lucas is a major douche bag... do everyone a favor and forget how to use the internet.
by Gunslinger20 on Jul 16, 2009 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think UFC 103 is a complete garbage card at all. It is just lacking that main event that really makes the card shine. Rich is rumored combined with CroCop/Dos Santos. The only fighter at 205 that has no fight lined up that is a box office draw is probably Chuck Liddell. Granted he has on a terrible skid right now but a do or die match up against Rich Franklin could sell.
I think Dana now knowing he is going head to head with Mayweather/Marquez will really try to pull something big for the event. Possibly moving up Machida/Rua or Carwin/Velasquez could do the trick. Or he could stick with this card and try to beat boxing with a “sub par” card.
by MatteoFC on Jul 17, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to politely disagree with you...
UFC 104 at the Staples Center in LA is a huge event… moving Machida vs Rua and Carwin vs Velasquez up would not be a good move. The UFC does this once or twice a year… they have a card that is better than a Fight Night but nowhere near the real potential of a PPV… UFC 103 will be it. My case and point…UFC 89 featuring Bisping vs Leben. That event wasn’t complete crap but it wasn’t fantastic… so therefor it was “craptastic”.
After his performance against Al Turk, Cro Cop doesn’t bring me in…. neither does another main event featuring Rich Franklin. IMHO, he’s the most boring fighter in the UFC now. He can’t seem to finish anyone, I look at him and I know his fight is going to a decision. He’s a great fighter…. but not a main eventer anymore. He’ll never work his way up to a shot at the title in LHW and he’s already proven he can’t hang in MW anymore.
George Lucas is a major douche bag... do everyone a favor and forget how to use the internet.
by Gunslinger20 on Jul 17, 2009 4:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boxing should probably win...
Ethnic minorities are the biggest drivers of PPV sales in America nowadays or at least it seems like it. The Hispanics have a history of supporting their fighters and given the timeframe of this fight mexican pride will be high.
Having said that though this fight has some sticking points. For one its not a very commecial fight. Mayweather has never sold more than half a million PPV’s aside from when he fought De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
Mayweather on average sells around 300-400K PPV’s if I remember correctly and is hardly a big PPV guy. Marquez is in the same position.
On the other hand the UFC has a pretty big fight on the cad in Crocop vs Dos Santos. Crocop is one of the most popular MMA fighters on the planet and is like Boxings Manny Pacquiao as in he is still making a name for himself in the US but amongst the ethnic minorities and foreign fans he is nothing small of gigantic.
It’s a somewhat big card for both sports but given the timeframe I think Mayweather vs Marquez will take it. I wouldn’t give either card more than 500K buys though.
by MannyPacquiao on Jul 17, 2009 2:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mayweather has never sold more than half a million PPV’s aside from when he fought De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Mayweather on average sells around 300-400K PPV’s if I remember correctly
This is sort of unfair. Yes, Oscar and Ricky helped drive those numbers, but pre-Oscar Floyd is a whole different Floyd. He had never really gotten a vehicle like 24/7, of which he has unquestionably been the greatest star. He’s promoted himself very well. If Mayweather-Marquez does under, like, 700K, it’s a genuine loss for his reputation and his status as a draw.
by SC on Jul 17, 2009 2:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
Well I suppose pre-Oscar Mayweather wasn’t the big name that he has become now but I think Mayweather has the same problems every boxer has had since the Tyson days.
When Tyson fought it didn’t matter who he fought he’d sell PPV’s. Every other fighter including Mayweather has to fight an opponent that can drive PPV sales. I’m not convinced JMM is the big fish Mayweather can achieve big numbers with.
I hope I’m wrong but even given the boost of a hispanic holiday I don’t think this fight will cross 500K PPV’s.
Theres a lot of banter at the moment about Mayweathers alleged rib injury and the lack of a doctors report all being a facade to give the fight time to sell more as it isn’t doing too well. I know, I know but given the new timeframe its been given it’d be a pretty convenient coincidence.
by MannyPacquiao on Jul 17, 2009 6:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It wouldn’t surprise me if they backed the fight up and used the injury as an excuse. 9/19 is a much better selling date for them than 7/18 was. Fight happens either way, so whatever. Summer was a waste for boxing while UFC had one of their biggest shows ever.
by SC on Jul 17, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sorry...
but did you just compare Cro Cop to Pacquiao? Wow, considering your S/N… thats pretty nuts man. Cro Cop is nearing the end of his competiting days and is not famous by any means in any part of the world excluding Croatia. Pacquiao may not be loved completely by the US market…. but much like soccer’s popularity in the world compared to the US… the man is extremely popular the world over.
Cro Cop is a name among the “MMA Purists”…. but his game is lacking as he gets older and he is not showing great skills to the newcomers to following MMA.
Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world, hands down. Its unfortunate that he isn’t more popular in the US, but everyone wants to see the big guys bang it out and the little guys don’t get much respect. I hope we’ll see the glory days of Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Hitman Hearns again… but I won’t hold my breathe.
George Lucas is a major douche bag... do everyone a favor and forget how to use the internet.
by Gunslinger20 on Jul 17, 2009 4:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A lot of the former Pride champions are very popular here in Europe.
Wanderlei Silva, Crocop and a few other fights spearheaded the UFCs first entry into Germany and those fighters are better known out there than Chuck Liddell or any other big American fighter.
Crocop isn’t as popular as Fedor but a lot of the fighters that came from Pride were very well known to a lot of European and South East Asian nations. In America maybe Crocop is known to only MMA purists but in Japan he’s very famous.
I definetely agree with the Pacquiao statement though I find it hard believing just how popular the man has become.
I remember when Hatton fought Pacman and Hatton is a huge fighter here in England but what blew me away was just how many people were looking forward to seeing Pacman rather than Hatton. He’s developed a following here in England that I haven’t seen since Mike Tyson or before him Muhammad Ali.
Pacquiao is just such a big name on the worldwide stage right now I think the majority of people includng Roach and Pacquiao just have no idea at all how big that man is.
by MannyPacquiao on Jul 17, 2009 6:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The bottom line is this...
Will more people in the end watch UFC 103… yeah probably, but that doesn’t really speak for which event will be more quality. Lets face it, there is no denying MMA’s skyrocketing popularity and appeal to the American market. We are a society that demands instant gratification and MMA is starting to develop a better track record of what people want to see when it comes to combat sports…. knockouts and destruction. I don’t want to go as far to say it is “bloodlust”, but it really is what people want. A lot of people just don’t have the attention span to truly enjoy boxing and what it has to offer, they don’t want to take a break from their fast paced lifestyles to truly enjoy and understand “the sweet science”.
They’ll get KO’s and destruction from UFC 103, but it won’t be by fighters that truly have the skill compared to the boxers of today. I don’t think boxing will see the utter domination and power that Mike Tyson had when he first started out. It use to be when you watched a Mike Tyson fight, you knew he was going to knock the other guy out but you had to see how he did it. The boxers of today are strategists. They have to plan and figure out how they are going to break down their opponents over a 10 to 12 round frame. They have to plan on how they are going to use their stamina and look for important openings because they can’t take down their opponent and try to submit him or throw a well timed leg kick or head kick or elbow..etc… They can only use their fists and their opponent knows that so it is a thinking man’s fight.
I feel sorry for the people that will not watch this PPV and watch UFC 103 instead… they could miss history being made. Mayweather retired as an undefeated fighter, he beat every man that was put in front of him…. he’s been out of the game for a while and he’s coming back to face a very prime opponent in Marquez. I feel Marquez could honestly beat Mayweather and we could see that first blemish on his record. Plus w/ Chris John and Rocky Juarez being added to the card just makes it that much better.
George Lucas is a major douche bag... do everyone a favor and forget how to use the internet.
by Gunslinger20 on Jul 17, 2009 5:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They’ll get KO’s and destruction from UFC 103, but it won’t be by fighters that truly have the skill compared to the boxers of today.
Heeeeeeeeeeere we go… ;)
by SC on Jul 17, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There has been too much violence, too much pain. Just walk away.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by Ubernoober on Jul 17, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The UFC should just
Put 103 on Spike and stack the 105 (which was scheduled for Spike) card with a bunch of loaded matchups on PPV if they want to.
A meh UFC card with no stand-out fight versus a pretty good Mayweather/Marquez card is not going to fare well for the former.
"And Joe for Matt Hughes, dislike may not be a strong enough adjective!" - Mike Goldberg
by SSreporters on Jul 17, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rumor:
Tito Ortiz Vs Rich Franklin @ 103
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by Ubernoober on Jul 17, 2009 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I personally couldn’t care less what UFC and Dana White decide to do. Boxing isn’t going anywhere, Mayweather-Marquez is a solid card, and that’s what I’m going to be watching. People who constantly try to compare the two sports annoy me to death.
Boxing is like jazz. The better it is, the less people appreciate it.
-George Foreman
by jsims2 on Jul 17, 2009 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
People who constantly try to compare the two sports annoy me to death.
Agreed.
by Tonley on Jul 17, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
