Hennessy TV Deal?

[steve689]

Anybody know who the mystery broadcaster Hennessy has signed with is?

The obvious would be Setanta or maybe Fight Network perhaps. Any word?

[THEBUTCH]

He's left Sky?

I've refused to pay even more dosh to get Setanta, but if Hennessy is going to put his shows on there I'll have to bite the bullet No way am I missing Froch, Murray, O'Donnell etc

Now David Walker's called it a day, I doubt I'll go to as many shows. :(

[steve689]

He had the one-off Fight Network deal but I don't expect a long term thing with them; I think that was more due to it being in Canada. Couldbe wrong of course.

I would put money on it being Setanta because they have a gap to fill after Franky boy jumped ship for a successful career on SKY PPV. If it's Setanta then i'm happy enough as Hennessy often sticks good cards on.

[REAL_DEAL]

I heard its small shows on itv 4 and big ones on itv 1 but it was only a rumour

[Boxing Nut]

Just had this email from Hennessy Sports: Great News

ITV IN NEW BOXING DEAL WITH HENNESSY SPORTS


BRITAIN’S new boxing star CARL FROCH will fight for a world title on prime time ITV1, as part of a new deal announced today (18.09.08) with Hennessy Sports.

Froch will meet Canadian star Jean Pascal for the WBC Super middleweight world title in his home city of Nottingham at the Trent FM Arena on December 6, with both men going into the fight unbeaten.

The rest of the deal will see Hennessy Sports stage a minimum of 26 promotions for ITV4 over the next two years, featuring European, Commonwealth and British title fights. Mick Hennessy is one of Britain’s top promoters, whose stable includes a host of quality fighters such as Junior Witter, Darren Barker, Jon Thaxton, Wayne Elcock, John Murray, and John O’Donnell.

The new boxing deal adds to a growing portfolio of sports on ITV4. The channel is becoming a key destination for sports viewers, with UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Guinness Premiership Rugby, cycling, top level darts and motor racing. It is available to over 90 percent of the UK population and is the tenth most popular multichannel in the country.

Mark Sharman, ITV Director of News and Sport said: “ITV has a great heritage in boxing and we’re delighted to have signed this new deal which secures free-to-air coverage of the sport. Hennessy Sports have a stable of boxers with great prospects and we look forward to watching them develop on ITV4.”

Mick Hennessy said: “This deal is great news for British boxing. ITV4 has a fantastic line up of sport and it’ll be a terrific stage for our fighters to showcase their skills. I’ve always enjoyed working with the ITV team and I expect this partnership to deliver some very special events.”

Coverage will be simulcast on itv.com and video clips of fights will also be available on the site.

[steve689]

There you have it then. ITV is a good choice and keeps Boxing on terrestrial with a stable to follow and hopefully some young talent to watch mature and improve. I'm never too happy about one promoter having a monopoly on a station but i suppose beggars can't be choosers.

[twenty six]

Congratulations to Mick and his team.
He must surely be looking to sign more fighters to the stable.
13 shows a year is a lot to fill - where are the headliners, other than Froch and maybe Witter ?
I just can't see how he can sustain this number with his current stable.
Or maybe we will enter a new phase in boxing, with co operation between Promotors ? Doubt it.

[DavidPayne]

Froch 3 Witter 3. He then has Murray, Barker....remember many of these are ITV4 shows.

[twenty six]

David,
You know I'm a major fan of Witter's but even I can acknowledge he's a hard sell for TV.
3 in the year ?
Just can't see it mate - and assumes he gets back to winning ways.
Froch is totally different.
Beat Pascal then two defences - yes I can see that.
Who will headline the other 9 shows in the year - whether on ITV or not ?
I can see Mick making signings.

[leforge]

Can Froch fight 3 times a year? He not done that for few years.

[Shirow]

You've got to feel happy for poor put upon Meaty. Froch too. A little too late but maybe worthwhile for the timing. No Calzaghe as the top dog who won't fight him & all the higher profile British boxers on subscriber channels.

Am i overstating the case that this could genuinely be a changing in eras? If over the next 12 months Mick plays it right and his fighters get the fights, win the fights and look good doing it on terrestrial tv i don't see why he couldn't overtake Frank's outfit.

The evil FW empire has a new rival in Hayemaker, Setanta on it's back for millions, no Calzaghe (also on their back for millions) and the next 2 best ticket sellers Khan & Maccarinelli coming off early KO losses. Audley is his highest profile fighter and is universally regarded as a joke. A rival getting exclusive ITV shows could easily be the tipping point.

[DavidPayne]

Well sellable fighters are not in endless supply.

Jamie Moore....?

Kell Brook.......

Matt Macklin......

Sam Sexton.....

Martin Rogan........

Erm, erm.......

[terminator]

do any of these fighters have the same appeal as Khan?

[twenty six]

David,
I don't get your point.
He's got 26 shows to fill over 2 years.
Appreciate some on ITV 4 but so what ?
The point I'm trying to get over is that his current stable is not robust enough to achieve that.

[DavidPayne]

I agree. But if ITV4 means something equivalent to Sexton v Rogan would suffice then recruiting the faces he needs wouldn't be too difficult would it, and with a few bob accrued he may nick the odd purse bid too.

[johnswan1]

David,
I don't get your point.
He's got 26 shows to fill over 2 years.
Appreciate some on ITV 4 but so what ?
The point I'm trying to get over is that his current stable is not robust enough to achieve that.

Maybe not right now, but if you were a young fighter, wouldn't you want to fight under Hennessy if he can offer exposure on mainstream free to view TV? I say good luck to them and I hope they do well with it.

[whiskey]

Mick is a grafter and has deserved this break.

I believe with national free TV behind him, he'll be the first choice amongst the former Olympians.

Especially as he don't issue baseless attacks and lawsuits on people, he conducts himself properly.

He has played everything with a straight bat and this is perhaps why he has not got the breaks in the past (if you get my drift) but long term it has done him a favour as he's not burned bridges.

Along with maloney, the domestic scene (friday fight night) has been great for the last few years and if this is now to be free to Terrestial TV I may consider getting rid of sky sports altogether if their only supply feed is via the WBU route.

[twenty six]

Don't misread me guys, I am well pleased with this deal.
I actually agree with you.
Now is the time for Mick to recruit the talent of the future, and with the financial backing of a terrestrial outlet behind him hopefully he will achieve that.
What I'm saying is that his current stable needs boosting, both quantity and quality.
There's a lot of pressure on Froch as the flagship fighter - but (god forbid) what if he comes unstuck ?
I wouldn't want to be relying on Witter to do the business for me with the TV gurus - and that comes from a staunch fan.
I said in another thread that ALL of our Promotors need to up their game.
I think we're beginning to see that happen, and with new entrants to the market, even better.

[Chambers2]

David,
You know I'm a major fan of Witter's but even I can acknowledge he's a hard sell for TV.
3 in the year ?
Just can't see it mate - and assumes he gets back to winning ways.
Froch is totally different.
Beat Pascal then two defences - yes I can see that.
Who will headline the other 9 shows in the year - whether on ITV or not ?
I can see Mick making signings.

Elcock and Murray are British champions and will be worthy of headlining the ITV4 shows, 4 or 5 shows a year between them 2, plus Froch and Witter say another 4. Barker's a definate star of the not too distant future IMO, he'll surely be constesting British and possibly Euro titles in the next few years, then you've got Thaxton and O'Donnell who can chip in.

Hopefully the fact that he's got a contract with a major TV channel will help Mick lure in some new talent, especially some of these lads fresh out of the Limpics.

[Chambers2]

Don't misread me guys, I am well pleased with this deal.

Well you'd hid your delight very well til that statement

[scotty]

Quality news.

Thaxton up first October 3rd on ITV4 - does this mean is unlikely that Thaxton will ever face Khan?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7625034.stm

[leforge]

It really depends what itv4 budget is if he can spend. Can Thaxton win the euro title. The more boxing the better we have 3 promotors on sky one setanta and now one itv.

[twenty six]

Chambers,
I am often misunderstood !

[leforge]

Also is ITV 4 better than setanta or sky, how many fights on itv?

[stujones]

I thought 13 shows a year is alot (not complaining mind) they might be small bills (in terms of number of fights) - just to fill. Or maybe, he has got his eye on some Olympians.

Whatever, I am delighted for ITV and delighted for Hennessey. Now ITV - lets get the old music back, and showcase fights from the states!