BoxRec's own Jeff Thomas has a word with Maloney

[dondada]

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2010/jazzy- ... nk-maloney

[chinny]

smashing interview Jeff, well done.

Maloney's reference to us fans not having all the facts and the conflict between the fans and the business reality is very self aware, and of course, spot on.

Tremendous piece

[jBacca]

Fantastic little read. Well done Jeff

Some good answers from Mr Maloney, he is definitely the most liked promoter in my eyes.

[whiskey]

Cheers for the link mate.

Well done Jeff and Frank.

Keep it up lads !

[Jeff Thomas]

Thanks lads, and thanks Ian for uploading that. In the upcoming season I'm going to be doing a lot more work with Maloney Promotions and hope to act as a conduit between yourselves (forum regulars) and Franks company. As those of you who know me will testify i'm totally in love with the sport and I like to think that it will re-emerge as a number one contender for footballs undisputed championship status.

There is great news ahead- many of you will be hugely pleased that 'Ringside' Sky Sports weekly boxing analysis show will be returning to the screens from September. (not sure if thats a trade secret, if so whoops). I also want you to know that your opinions matter- they are noted and read by people throughout the sport- not just boxing promoters but broadcasters too so those of you frustrated with the way things have been done of late- will see subtle changes from next season.

In addition to this, I have put together a proposal for a number of idea's that Sky bosses are currently looking at and if they come off I sincerely believe the sport will change in a great way for the future. You have all played a part in any changes made. I have included posts from Machoman, Spud, Hurlock and countless others- and this feedback will be looked at and hopefully some of the suggestions taken on board.

Its not finished yet, the findings from the ten best friday night fighters thread are to be fed back to frank who will in turn feed them on to the big boss men at Sky Sports.The2010-2011 season looks so promising I sincerely think you (and me), the fans are in for a treat.

I'll sign off with a quick plug of Franks website www.frankmaloney.com I hope the boxing community will pull together for some of the new stuff. So sorry for the cloak and daggers, didn't want to sound like an undercover agent but I was just been careful with what I could and couldn't say.

Thanks again

Jeff.

[chinny]

Great news about Ringside (providing the content is solid and not just extended ads). Thanks for the info Jeff and well done for getting off your arse and doing something about the stuff we often moan about. Big credit to you.

[terrdilk]

Great news about Ringside (providing the content is solid and not just extended ads). Thanks for the info Jeff and well done for getting off your arse and doing something about the stuff we often moan about. Big credit to you.

x 2 we can tell how much u love the sport jeff the amount of posts u have ha ha welldone mate keep ip the good work getting the sport we love more exposure

[pyenest77]

Brilliant stuff there Jeff.
Franks a top man IMO & roll on the new season!

[Deserter]

Thanks for that Jeff as it was a good read. One question for you though.... Frank's answer regarding boxing forums was probably the sharpest, most objective I've seen from a promoter but I found it hard to reconcile with the Frank I've seen on this forum - were your questions submitted by e-mail or did you speak to the man himself, as I can't help but feel that particular answer reads as if it's been drafted by a press officer or the equivalent?
I've never doubted Frank's love of the game or his intentions, but I hope action is going to be taken to address some of the deeper issues plaguing the game, many of which were touched on in that earlier thread.

[bennie]

Frank had some balls to get in with Jimmy Flint, the Wapping Assasin. In my opinion, he is one of the shrewdest men in boxing, particularly when it comes to 'moving' a fighter.

[Jeff Thomas]

Thanks for that Jeff as it was a good read. One question for you though.... Frank's answer regarding boxing forums was probably the sharpest, most objective I've seen from a promoter but I found it hard to reconcile with the Frank I've seen on this forum - were your questions submitted by e-mail or did you speak to the man himself, as I can't help but feel that particular answer reads as if it's been drafted by a press officer or the equivalent?
I've never doubted Frank's love of the game or his intentions, but I hope action is going to be taken to address some of the deeper issues plaguing the game, many of which were touched on in that earlier thread.

I was sat right in front of him at his desk. My version of his answer was the condensed version- if I had of typed every word he said in that interview i'd still be sat there typing question 3 now. D

[JamesH]

Great news about Ringside (providing the content is solid and not just extended ads). Thanks for the info Jeff and well done for getting off your arse and doing something about the stuff we often moan about. Big credit to you.

x 2 we can tell how much u love the sport jeff the amount of posts u have ha ha welldone mate keep ip the good work getting the sport we love more exposure

Agreed, the forum has definately benefitted from Jeff's posts

Good read, it does seem that Maloney has the best ideas of the promoters in terms of engaging fans via forums and backstage videos...

[slapbangwhallop]

I have to say fair play to FMP for engaging with the fans and for their website and YouTube channel. Not sure how many go onto either or both but I really appriciate getting to see some of the untelevised bouts on the varies undercard.

[Deserter]

Thanks for that Jeff as it was a good read. One question for you though.... Frank's answer regarding boxing forums was probably the sharpest, most objective I've seen from a promoter but I found it hard to reconcile with the Frank I've seen on this forum - were your questions submitted by e-mail or did you speak to the man himself, as I can't help but feel that particular answer reads as if it's been drafted by a press officer or the equivalent?
I've never doubted Frank's love of the game or his intentions, but I hope action is going to be taken to address some of the deeper issues plaguing the game, many of which were touched on in that earlier thread.

I was sat right in front of him at his desk. My version of his answer was the condensed version- if I had of typed every word he said in that interview i'd still be sat there typing question 3 now. D

[Spud]

I found it hard to reconcile with the Frank I've seen on this forum - were your questions submitted by e-mail or did you speak to the man himself, as I can't help but feel that particular answer reads as if it's been drafted by a press officer or the equivalent?

I've never doubted Frank's love of the game or his intentions, but I hope action is going to be taken to address some of the deeper issues plaguing the game, many of which were touched on in that earlier thread.

Firstly and most importantly I thought the interview was a bloody good one - I also have no doubts Frank Maloney answered all the questions verbally and someone then put them into "written words" and Maloney then approved it.

Frank Maloney for me deserves all the props in the world for surviving in the sport where others havn't - I would love for him to genuinally compete with Mr W arren with regards to bigger and more prestigious shows - if his boxers come through as he hopes then he could - in addition a massive signing here and there would also be good for the promotional company - whether we like it or not W arren still holds all the cards with regards to having the most talented boxers on his books - I do not like Mr W arren and never will however for me you cannot escape from the FACTS that Mr W arren puts on the bigger and more prestigious shows - is this the time for change??

Maloney is one of the very few promoters in this country who has a connection with the fans - he knows the score and he has to be applauded for that.

I look back over the years and often have a chuckle over promoters views concerning these forums - Mr W arren was first on the case, however I believe he did not like them too much and rumour has it he still doesnt - I know for a FACT Hennessy often reads the various boxing forums - but the only one who has ever taken part in some lively debate is Maloney - and again he has to be applauded for that.

Finally and dont anyone make any mistake about this - All promoters love these places when we are saying wonderful things about them - as soon as someone criticises them lawyers/In House Solicitors etc etc get involved - because it seems in my view boxing forums are places where only good can be stated about promoters, their shows and their boxers and if you dare to say otherwise - ask John Shepherd on this very site how many legal threats he has had and ask him what promoters have spat their dummies out - I am willing to wager there is more than 1!!!

[Jeff Thomas]

The biggest thing I got from Frank and his team was that they genuinely want the best for the sport. Boxing is going to change a lot I think we'll be looking at a different model in the next 18 months or so, sincerely. I can't really share my idea's here but if Sky take them i've no doubt boxing will change for the better.

[Spud]

The biggest thing I got from Frank and his team was that they genuinely want the best for the sport.

I will agree with that one - they are all boxing people through and through and know an awful lot.

However, I am surprised no one has picked up on my point about promoters only thinking these places are fantastic when nice things are said about them - some merely use the place as a platform for their press releases etc etc - and I do go back to the point Maloney is the only one who entered into some healthy debate with some forum members which is good news.