Lucky wrote:He will shorten the format. I've said time and time again the battle isn't keeping the hardcore fans happy and watching. The battle is for the casual viewers and get those in. If shortening the format draws in a larger TV audience then that is what will attract sponsors. For all the gum smacking on here about changing the UK everyone on here still watched a vast majority of it so theres no danger of losing viewers.
Sadly, I see what you're saying.
The same problem happens in boxing that the casual fans are catered to more than the hardcore fans, because the hardcore fans will watch even if they don't like the marmite matches that are served up.
If Hearn thinks he can bring in a lot of new fans with a change to the Worlds, that's what he'll do. I think the only reason he has hesitated so far is that this is the only tournament that does well, and gets a lot of media attention. Him calling it an 'eccentric sporting event', or whatever it was he said the other year, I think gives an indication that he doesn't much like the format, but recognises that plenty of other people do.
That may be the one thing that saves it, it's popularity compared to other tournaments. The UK only had a fraction of the interest, so from a business standpoint it was less of a risk to gamble with it.