Via Charles Brun: Tyson Fury versus Dillian Whyte won’t bring in 1.5 million pay-per-view buys on BT Sport, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn predicts.
He said: “At best, the Fury-Whyte fight would make 900,000 PPV buys, but he reckons it could hit 1 million buys on Sky.
As far as Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) opted out of the kick-off press conference, Hearn reminded boxing fans that Fury didn’t attend a press conference for his fight with Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, and it still does fine.
Whyte missed its branding opportunity
However, it doesn’t matter if Whyte doesn’t show up at press conferences, because Fury is more than capable of leading the media and generating interest when handling alone.
The one in pain is clearly Whyte, who is missing out on the opportunity to build his fan base. Of course, if Fury knocks Whyte out, it’s unclear whether his career can be salvaged after that.
Dillian will obviously have UK boxing fans who will continue to happily buy his fights on PPV, but nationally there won’t be much interest in his career.
UK fans are forgiving their fighters after they’ve lost, and continuing to support them even after they’ve lost countless times. For example, look at Dereck Chisora. He has 12 losses on his resume, and British boxing fans can’t wait to see him fight.
Hearn: Fury-Whyte won’t make 1.5 million purchases
“Not on BT, but I think it can do 800,000, 900,000,” Eddie Hearn told Social boxing when asked if Fury vs. Whyte does 1.5 million pay-per-view purchases. “I mean, it probably got over a million hits on Sky.
“It was a big war. Everyone is talking about him [Whyte] did not appear at the press conference. I mean, people seem to forget that Tyson Fury didn’t show up at Wladimir Klitschko’s press conference. [in 2015] also. It doesn’t hurt the advertising.
“It will not affect the promotion of this war. It was a big war. Hopefully things will work out and we see that,” Hearn said.
Froch eavesdropping on Whyte .’s behavior
“I understand why he did it but I don’t agree with him doing it because I think he should put his face into it and be part of the whole building process, a part of the show,” Carl Froch told Boxing Social about Whyte’s decision not to appear at the opening press conference.
“Boxing is the business of entertainment, and I know you are not obligated to do certain things if you are in a losing position and your promoter is not promoting the fight.
“However, I don’t know what advice he is giving or what he is doing to focus on training and feel better without appearing in press conferences.
“I think it’s bad advice or bad attitude. Either way, I still want to see him at the press conference because it’s a great battle. It was a war that he [Whyte] can win, by the way.
“I love Fury for his height, his stature and his boxing ability. But don’t abbreviate Dillian Whyte because he’s a great fighter. He meant business and he waited a long time.
“He should come in and come back to the press and get into it and give us a little more. He gave us a bit the day before shouting a line in front of the camera.
“He seems like a business man and has the right look, looks strong. I like the attitude and the construction. That would be a huge shame for fans, and I think he’ll look back in the years to come if he continues his quiet treatment in the build-up to this fight.
“There will be some more presses and one press near the fight before weighing. Dillian Whyte, press on, get in, we’d love to see you. We all support you. We are behind Fury and Whyte.
“I like Dillian Whyte, I have known him for a few years, and he is close to my heart. I want him to do well. But I also like Tyson Fury. We became professional together. His debut was in my first world championship match in Nottingham.
“We were both promoted by a certain advertiser and we both moved on from there. Yes, we have history. On that one [Fury vs. Whyte] Froch said.
