Stefan Raab: RTL viewers annoyed by boxing show

Fans have been waiting for this moment for months: The “Final Fight” spectacle is on RTL – but Stefan Raab is taking his time.

Stefan Raab's boxing show, which will be broadcast live on RTL, began in Düsseldorf on Saturday evening in front of more than 13,000 spectators. Visitors to the sold-out PSD Bank Dome and the audience in front of their television screens can expect a spectacle lasting several hours, the climax of which will see entertainer Raab compete against former boxing world champion Regina Halmich.

But it wasn't just the fight that fans were looking forward to, they were also looking forward to Stefan Raab's appearance. The public doesn't know what the 57-year-old looks like now. The entertainer hasn't appeared in front of the TV camera for almost ten years – but he was late on Saturday evening.

The RTL show started at 8:15 p.m., but after more than an hour there was still no sign of Raab. Clips looked back on his career, colleagues such as Thomas Gottschalk, Peter Kloeppel and Anne Will remembered their time together. The presenters Laura Wontorra and Elton interviewed various celebrities in the hall.

Many viewers were annoyed by the delay. Comments piled up on the short message service X. “When is Raab coming? That's more nonsense than anything else,” complained one user. “Considering that it was announced months ago and people in the hall paid several hundred euros for it, that's actually very disappointing,” complained one user. Another suggested: “If anyone wants to pass the time watching the fight: 'Die Hard' is on ProSieben.” “Boring. Switched the channel,” one viewer even said goodbye.

Others thought the show's introduction was simply exaggerated. “Is Raab dead? Or what is the point of all this?” asked one X user. “So far it seems like an obituary for Stefan,” agreed another. “Raab eulogy at its finest!” reads one comment. “Embarrassing to spend an hour showing archive footage of how great Stefan is,” also reads.

However, there were also fans who were happy about the memories. “I love seeing all the old clips,” “Nice! It makes you really nostalgic,” or “Those were the days. It's good that Raab is back,” said the viewers happily.