Whose the best promoter in the UK and Why?

[Jeff Thomas]

Please nothing slanderous or abusive. Sensible thread for a good reason, that will ultimately benefit you!!!! hopefully.

[Chris W 1982]

It has to be Mr Allegedly for me but I think he has the potential to be so much better.

He has the stars, the TV dates and reputation but I think he holds his fighters back a little too much.

Frank Maloney and Ricky Hatton both put on good shows. Maloney went a weak at the back end of last year with his "Latvian Lemmings" but he has learned from that and I thouroughly enjoy his undercards.

Hatton has serious potential, I think once he finds that breakout star, his status a s a promoter could soar. Scott Quigg looks most likely to be that man.

Not sure whats happening to MH but he seems to be pimping all his talents to other promoters, he should seek a merger with someone who has a TV deal, he has too many talnted fighters who are not getting the publicity they deserve.

Steve Wood continues to do a good job on a smaller scale, I always enjoy covering his shows and Steve is a thorough gentleman.

[Jeff Thomas]

~Please can everyone who has the time answer - will be a great help

[Brit Ryan]

Despite their Blackpool fiasco earlier this year - I would say - joint between VIP and Frank Maloney.
I am interested in what Goodwin is trying to do with his shows and they have real potential.
Spencer Fearon is the hardest tryer - but he prob doesn't need any encouragement - could give himself a standing ovation in a broom cupboard

[mickey1975]

Its got to be Fwank in the last decade or so for me.I have just had better nights at his shows and he seems to be the only one capable of putting on a big event.MH should have been able to with Froch,but with the fights tucked away on Primetime they lack the big build up that help create the atmosphere.Also,with his undercard for Froch-Dirrell,i thought he was taking the piss.I would love Fwank to get John Murray and get him on against Katsidis at the M.E.N with the Olympians in meaningful fights on the undercard.

[Jeff Thomas]

Nice cheers

[bigjack]

allegedly is without doubt the best promoter in the uk as he draws the big names and usually has good competetive undercards with top names involved.

[Coco]

FW pays fighters the most money, gets his fighters the most opportunity and has put on the best shows

[Captain Hook]

Allegedly, but he'd be so much better if he cared about putting on the best fights.

That said, it's a business and he's got to make money........

[whiskey]

It's a difficult question Jeff, with no right or wrong reply.

Whilst some of the big occaisions that FW has put together have been excellent (genuinely) , it's the domestic fights that never materialised between domestic operators that has annoyed me a bit. Whilst FW is not entirely to blame, i forever read of last minute offers and the dreaded 'options'.

Khan, Calzaghe, Hatton... Murray, Thaxton, Froch, Witter etc in the opposite corner would have been far more appealing to fight fans than Kristanjensen, Lawton, Evans Ashira or Ray Olivera.

For every big fight, there always seems to be a catch, like the fighter demanded it - then ultimately they left the stable. Khan, Calzaghe and Hatton all went their own way ultimately to pursue bigger pay days (in their opinion anyway). Some you couldn't blame, yet others you could pity FW for the way he helped them get to where they was in the first place.

The above is from a fan's perspective mostly.

From a boxer's perspective then there are pro's and cons to all the promoters with regards exposure / earning potential and most of all loyalty & commitment.

Lesser promoters may have more heart and genuine loyalty - but does that pay the bills.. ? or are some fighters more interested in earning a reasonable living but going for true honours in a sport they love. Does having a good start in a career from a big promoter, ultimately cap their earnings in the long run (and vice versa with smaller promoters?).

There are so many variables i suppose there isn't a correct answer !

[pyenest77]

Allegedly for me he is the one that puts the bigger shows on even though the bulk of the fights have changed by the time you go. Followed by Maloney.
Hatton puts good shows on as said earlier on this thread, but he just needs that breakthrough star topping the bill. Great undercard with plenty of fights & some up & comers, but not quite getting the balance right.
MH was ok a few years ago when he had the ITV deal, but be honest his boxers arent getting enough appearances on other promoters cards.

[1southpaw]

tommy gilmore is good he looks after his fighters well

[Jeff Thomas]

Ok, fighters aside, have you ever being impressed by the presentation of a show? Do you remember any standing out- and for what reason?

Steve Woods Jolly Boys shows and the mass of boobies for example.

[Spud]

Jeff - sorry pal - silly thread as there is only one contender - dont like him but its Mr W arren.

Quality of show etc etc over the last 10-15 years says he rarely gets a rival.

Hearn, Maloney, Hennessy have potential but really do need a couple of massive stars to challenge.

At one point Hennessy looked as if he could have a pop at the top spot - Fight Academy had a chance with Hatton but failed to capitlise and I suppose Hayemaker could be thinking what could have been until the collapse of Setanta.

[twenty six]

Why do you ignore Hatton Promotions Spud ?
Not saying for top spot but if the others have potential why not Hatton ?

[NazNaci1]

allegedly is without doubt the best promoter in the uk as he draws the big names and usually has good competetive undercards with top names involved.

I dont like him at all for his apporach to boxing but Fwank is the top man, although I totally disagree with the competetive undercard comment. Most of his undercards are abysmally one sided.

I simply shake my head when I hear, see or read about X v TBA. You just know thats gonna be one sided drubbing for Mr TBA.

[yogi]

Ok, fighters aside, have you ever being impressed by the presentation of a show? Do you remember any standing out- and for what reason?

Hatton's recent Bury show was very well put together and 'punter friendly'

From the moment the show started, until it finished, there was something for the punter to watch, be it reruns of old fights on the 4 big screens to post fight interviews relayed to the crowd.

First class!

[Jeff Thomas]

Ok, fighters aside, have you ever being impressed by the presentation of a show? Do you remember any standing out- and for what reason?

Hatton's recent Bury show was very well put together and 'punter friendly'

From the moment the show started, until it finished, there was something for the punter to watch, be it reruns of old fights on the 4 big screens to post fight interviews relayed to the crowd.

First class!

Thats what i'm talking about.

[dondada]

Barry Hearn for me. If he wanted to put most of his energies into boxing, he'd kick everyone's anus.

He's snooker's top man and, as I've said many times, what he's done with darts is amazing.

[fasteddie]

allegedly followed closley by barry hearn they both get their fighters to the top at any cost

[Jeff Thomas]

Prizefighter was the type of forward thinking that leads to becoming a leader in the field. I think there is even more that can be done though. As novel an idea as prizefighter is- it has its faults. Not least only suiting a specific type of fighter. I'd like a 32 man knockout tourney every year like the one they used to do in france- it threw up some big suprises.

[Robnorton]

Ok, fighters aside, have you ever being impressed by the presentation of a show? Do you remember any standing out- and for what reason?

Hatton's recent Bury show was very well put together and 'punter friendly'

From the moment the show started, until it finished, there was something for the punter to watch, be it reruns of old fights on the 4 big screens to post fight interviews relayed to the crowd.

First class!

Couldn't agree more - proper ring walks, big screens, great atmosphere - in fact much better than their Sky shows where the fighters on the undercard just appear in the ring when the tv guys say so and there are gaps between fights presumably to suit the tv schedule? Sky only care about those watching at home - not the punters in the hall. The Bury show was how it should be done.

[yogi]

Ok, fighters aside, have you ever being impressed by the presentation of a show? Do you remember any standing out- and for what reason?

Hatton's recent Bury show was very well put together and 'punter friendly'

From the moment the show started, until it finished, there was something for the punter to watch, be it reruns of old fights on the 4 big screens to post fight interviews relayed to the crowd.

First class!

Couldn't agree more - proper ring walks, big screens, great atmosphere - in fact much better than their Sky shows where the fighters on the undercard just appear in the ring when the tv guys say so and there are gaps between fights presumably to suit the tv schedule? Sky only care about those watching at home - not the punters in the hall. The Bury show was how it should be done.

I'm glad you agree mate. Hattons really did the business on that show, I even paid the £2.99 on their website to watch the rerun to see how it came across on TV, especially wanted to see the Quigg ringwalk again, it was ace and really well thought out

http://www.player.brandhatton.com/default.aspx#whatsNew

I agree with your point about the gaps on Sky shows. They really want to sort that out as it kills the atmosphere for the paying punter.

I take it that you are THE Rob Norton

[stujones]

Barry Hearn for me. If he wanted to put most of his energies into boxing, he'd kick everyone's anus.

He's snooker's top man and, as I've said many times, what he's done with darts is amazing.

Absolutely. Probably has too many fingers in too many pies to be boxings top dog - I feel boxing is low on his priorities, but what a businessman. Runs Leyton Orient "properly" also - how many low league football clubs are managing "properly".

People forget that the reason why he wasn't at one of the prizefighters was that he had one of his boxers fighting for the authentic Heavyweight title against the authentic champion.... quite remarkable given Sosnowski's profile. How many times were we promised Sprott, Harrison, Williams, Skelton winner to get a title shot. Fair do's Williams did (and Skelton did against Chagaev).

[twenty six]

The quiet man deserves a mention at Matchroom as well.
John Wishier - hope I've spelt that right.
Top fella.