MELBOUNRE SUPERFIGHT BOXING!!

[k1_fighta]

Mike Tyson, James Tony, Evander Holyfield and LENNOX LEWIS!! in todays Herald Sun. All names are only rumored but look to be in june or july.

so whats everyones views?

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Clinton. S

[Hironaka]

quote:
Mike Tyson, James Tony, Evander Holyfield and LENNOX LEWIS!! in todays Herald Sun. All names are only rumored but look to be in june or july.

so whats everyones views?



About as likely as Melbourne is to ever hold the Soccer World Cup ...

I haven't read the article yet, who is pushing this boooolsheet?

[admin]

LOL... Melbourne could host the World Cup as early as 2018... haha... if that happens I'll drop my daks on national TV! NO CHANCE!

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[Matt J]

pile of bullsh!t. its not april fools day so whats the herald suns excuse for printing that rubbish?

[jon14]

taken for northjersey.com

Lucrative eight-heavyweight elimination tournament on horizon
Tuesday, February 7, 2006

By KEITH IDEC
HERALD NEWS

NEW YORK -- Stephen Duval and Warren Spooner expected resistance when the Australian entrepreneurs pitched their "Superfighter" concept to boxing's power brokers in America.

In what has historically been lambasted as an ethically bankrupt business, fighters, managers, promoters and television executives almost always approach each other at various levels of mistrust. They've learned together that, especially in this often unscrupulous sport, if something sounds too good to be true, that typically is the case. All Duval and Spooner pursued was the opportunity to prove that they're an exception, that the lucrative eight-fighter, elimination event they've spent more thxan three years developing is a valuable endeavor for both boxers and the paying public.


They've scheduled the inaugural "Superfighter" pay-per-view show for June 4 in Melbourne, Australia. They've thus far secured commitments from four of the eight heavyweights they will showcase in the event, which will afford the winner $5 million (see box on page D2 for purse breakdowns). Duval and Spooner said they expect to have the final four slots filled by the end of March, at which time they'll schedule a press conference to officially announce the launch of the innovative venture, which they hope will eventually mirror the success they've achieved with similar experiments in cricket and tennis in Australia.

The "Superfighter" format features four-round fights, a scoring system that heavily rewards aggression and fan-friendly television developments, including more camera angles and "super" slow motion.

"We want people to understand that this isn't a one-shot, money-making opportunity for us," said Spooner, commercial director for "Superfighter." "We didn't put $30 million together for one good night in Melbourne. We have a five-year business plan that we intend to follow."

The "Superfighter" executives would not divulge the heavyweights they've secured, but only faded former champ Evander Holyfield has turned them down. The 43-year-old Holyfield (38-8-2, 25 KOs) intends to fight again, but told them that at his age he didn't think he could succeed in an elimination tournament after heating up and cooling down between bouts. Retired former champ Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs) and semi-retired former champ Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs, 2 NC) are not expected to compete that night, either.

Several sources close to the negotiations have confirmed, however, that James Toney (69-4-2, 43 KOs, 1 NC) and Samuel Peter (25-1, 21 KOs) are among the high-profile heavyweights expected to participate in the inaugural "Superfighter." Toney's inclusion could depend, though, on the outcome of his March 18 fight against World Boxing Council champ Hasim Rahman (41-5-1, 33 KOs) in Atlantic City.

Whoever participates, the winning heavyweight will have defeated three opponents in one night, but won't fight more than 12 total rounds because all bouts are scheduled for a maximum of four three-minute rounds.

Duval and Spooner contend that they'll all win simply by partaking in the event. Because of the foreign format, wins and losses won't count on a boxer's record. And they'll fight for more money than they could currently command for any one fight in a demanding market that devalues heavyweights.

Peter, for instance, made a little less than $1 million for his 12-round decision defeat to Wladimir Klitschko (45-3, 40 KOs) on Sept. 24 in Atlantic City. Toney made less than $1.5 million for fighting then-World Boxing Association champ John Ruiz (41-6-1, 28 KOs, 1 NC) on April 30 at Madison Square Garden. If Toney is involved in "Superfighter," he could walk away with more money for winning the elimination event than he would have earned for fighting Ruiz and Rahman combined.

The heavyweights Duval and Spooner approached about their tournament have loved the idea. Wayne's Mark Taffet, HBO's senior vice president of sports operations and pay-per-view, has told them he hopes "Superfighter" succeeds, too. Taffet has long been aware that his network needs all the help it can get in making heavyweights more marketable in the post-Lewis/Holyfield/Tyson era.

Some promoters have hesitated to allow contracted heavyweights to participate, but Duval and Spooner hope those promoters can come to fully disclosed financial agreements by which the promoters are paid portions of their respective fighter's winnings.

"We came over expecting that there might be some resistance to what we're doing," Spooner said. "That didn't concern us greatly, because it has been our experience in other sports that people tread wearily with any new product. That's only right. We need to prove our value to the sport and we need to do that over the long-term. We understand that. We can work with that. People will come to understand that we're not threatening anybody, we're not trying to ruin anyone's career. We're trying to enhance the sport."

What they don't want is for fighters and understandably unconvinced fans to think this will amount to the 2006 version of "Fistful Of Dollars." Newark heavyweight Maurice Harris won that elimination exhibition three years ago in Atlantic City, but promoter Cedric Kushner paid Harris his $100,000 grand prize for winning the unsuccessful pay-per-view event in installments. Sports Finance Group, which raised revenue for the "Superfighter" project, was able to attain a $30 million budget because of the company's previous success via events like the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, the Australian Open and the U.S. Open.

"We wanted to be able to prove that this is happening," said Duval, the "Superfighter" founder and chief executive officer. "So we didn't approach anyone until the financing was secured. But in boxing, as in any business, you're only as good as your last deal."

They suspect success with heavyweights will lead to deals for future "Superfighter" events with boxers from lower weight classes. They also think their addition to the boxing marketplace will help generate interest in a sport that has been losing fans for several years to the mixed martial arts popularity explosion in the United States. They'll therefore target non-boxing fans in more mainstream markets with some of an advertising budget they say stands at about $3 million.

"Rather than being competition to the current boxing format, we believe that we can work together," said Duval, whose company will donate portions of its proceeds to the Retired Boxers Foundation (www.retiredboxers.org). "Going back to what we did in cricket, the two games co-exist perfectly, because it brings in more fans and creates a multi-million-dollar empire.

"What we will do is try to stave off UFC and K-1, to allow more viewers to see boxing and start understanding who the people are and what the sport is. Then, when the normal 10-round or 12-round fights are on, people are going to be more interested. They'll say, 'Wow! I want to see this now.' "

Reach Keith Idec at (973) 569-7073 or idec@northjersey.com.

[jon14]

http://www.boxingscene.com

For the longest time the talk within boxing has been revolved around the sad state of the heavyweight division; and it’s inability or unwillingness of the division’s four champions (IBF: Chris Byrd, WBA: Nicolay Valuev, WBC: Hasim Rahman, and WBO: Lamon Brewster) to step up and unify the title. In a sense, restore the pride, luster and respect to what was once the most revered and cherished title in all of sports…being know as the world heavyweight champion!

The entire heavyweight division has suffered; to the point where champions defending their titles don’t even warrant main event billing (Byrd out pointed DaVarryl Williamson over twelve disappointingly languid rounds as the co-feature to James Toney’s defeat of Dominick Guinn: 10/01/05).

Even Don King, "the undisputed world champion amongst heavyweight promoters", feels the current financial need to host heavyweight title fights outside the U.S., relegating his champions to "opponent" status abroad (Brewster retained his crown, knocking out Luan Krasniqi in dramatic fashion, TKO 9: 9/28/05, while John Ruiz lost a highly disputed majority decision to new WBA title holder Nicolay Valuey on 12/28/05).

It’s gotten to the point where even the division's top contenders: Samuel Peter, Calvin Brock, Shannon Briggs, David Tua, are reluctant to fight each other!

Up until now the sorriest aspect of this entire situation is the fact that it’s all been talk…no action, just talk.

The promoters are always talking about having their fighters fighting the best, even unifying the titles; just talk.

The fighters always seem to be talking about fighting the best; also just talk. All the while, the boxing fan is SCREAMING, begging and pleading for someone to step up, stop all this disdainful chatter and return the pride and dignity to boxing’s most glorified division. Simply put - get these fighters to rise to the challenge.

The need is obvious; yet to get the fighters, and their promoters, to commit to finally "walking the talk" it would take a monumental, innovative and truly grand event.

As giant of an event as planned, while truly MONUMENTAL, could not be accurately described as "grand". The more precise description, financially, would be "MILLION", as in 30 Million (already secured and budgeted) dollars, with 20 million dollars going to the fighters in prize money and guarantees!

Now does that get your attention? Welcome to SUPERFIGHTER, and the WORLD SUPERFIGHTER CHAMPIONSHIP!

There is no unexcited or non-exhilarating way to describe SUPERFIGHTER.

Simply put it’s an elimination, gladiatorial event which presents the talents of eight international boxers, all on one fight card, all on one day, but with only one champion at the end.

Eight of boxing’s best heavyweight fighters, seven fights (each bout is a maximum of 4 x 3 minute rounds), one SUPERFIGHTER champion!

Scheduled for June 4, 2006 at the Melbourne Vodafone Arena in Melbourne, Australia (telecast live into the USA on the evening of June 3rd), SUPERFIGHTER will bring to boxing an event unequalled and surely unparallel. It’s magnitude - no less than Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson; it’s innovative concept, new values for the sport and technological & theatrical atmosphere - unprecedented.

With a major New York press conference slated for late March/early April, a very few select writers were given the distinct opportunity to get an exclusive look at SUPERFIGHTER and it’s concept; while speaking with Stephen Duval (Founder & CEO) and Warren Spooner (Commercial Director) this past Friday afternoon at Gallagher’s Steak House in Manhattan.

"We are not about doing this one event and leaving, we’ve been working on this SUPERFIGHTER event for three years, this is a long term plan," stated Duval, who bears a striking resemblance to former world champion Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini, adding "SUPERFIGHTER will revolutionize boxing. We will be using our innovative scoring system, a video reply system which will allow for greater viewer interaction and a 21st Century technology that includes a 14 camera High Definition Telecast, new camera angles and telecast technology, including Super Supreme Slow Motion for a more informed adjudicated procedure. At the venue you will get the feeling at home and the viewers at home will get the feeling of being there live!"

"We will start SUPERFIGHTER with the heavyweights, and we are talking about the top heavyweights; champions and contenders. We will then move into other divisions - that‘s our goal," stated Warren Spooner, "once you create this interest - it will flow throughout the entire sport."

Spooner and Duval also stressed the importance of safety (using 12 oz. gloves, more time for medical attention to the fighters, shorter fights, etc..) and while appreciating the greatness of professional boxing both do see a need for a fresh approach, which will bring the people back to it, and an opportunity to add great value to the sport along the way.

They also want to do what is right for the fighters, as is evidenced by SUPERFIGHTER’S support of the Retired Boxers Foundation.

With former heavyweight contender Lou Savarese present, Stephen Duval spoke in high regard for the boxing non-profit organization which helps former boxers, in need, restore their pride and dignity.

"We have so much respect for the Retired Boxers Foundation, and for Alex (Ramos); who has started the RBF to help other fighters. He has dedicated his life to the success of the RBF," admirably proclaimed the Australian-born Duval, "SUPERFIGHTER is now also dedicated to this great cause."

Not looking in any way to "replace" the traditional sport of boxing, this highly intense and entertaining SUPERFIGHTER concept will in fact only enhance its greatness; providing an arena for the best to fight the best in each weight class - across the globe - each year!

[ChrisQ]

Sounds like bull**** that will never eventuate, and even if it does it could be embarrasing for many of the fighters named.