Promoters
I often feel like the advertisement of shows is not what it could be as especially tv promoters are happy to fall back on the tv money and attendance at a fight then becomes a secondary concern. Though some promoters utilise social media such as Youtube Facebook and Twitter it is still a vastly underused tool that is at their disposal in the promotion of fights and interaction with fans.
Promoters especially larger ones such as Warren and Maloney need to put more "local" shows on Warren could have monthly shows in Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester and London to build up some of his lesser fighters who though only 5-0 dont see action for months on end as they are waiting for a tv date. Surely putting on shows that make little money or break even but build a big following for the fighter and develop them would be more beneficial than letting them stagnate. There is no reason why a prospect can't fight 8-10 times in their first year as a pro injury free on a mixture of tv and non tv shows. I know being from Liverpool that a show ever month or two at the Olympia with Joe Selkirk Liam Smith Joe McNally Paul Butler and a few other local fighters would draw 1000-1500 the more the fighters fight the more they get paid and the more exposure they have.
I know its hard for promoters because of lack of suitable venues but bigger venues would be better and the introduction of a half price u16's ticket to get the younger generation involved wouldn't go a miss
TV (Sky)
Sky is currently the only network showing boxing and thus they have a monopoly and are single handedly carrying boxing they therefore have a right to deliver the best quality possible.
Sky need to take a more hands on role in the vetting fighters and and forcing fights that they do want and rejecting those that they don't. Sky have the power to say we only want a top 10 domestic opponent for David Price in his next fight or we wont show it. They may have to bankroll the promotion fractionally more but the quality of the cards will increase as a result. The promoters have no option but to listen.
Adding an extra half hour at least would allow for showing another two 4 rounders on the undercard or at the very least highlights of undercard fights. Two fights per night is not enough and at the very least should be looking to show highlights of knockouts or results in other undercard fights that would take 5-10mins.
Sky currently seem to have no structured plan in building the next big stars. They seem to just have a policy of "lets see who emerges" Would it not be more beneficial to take 10-15 top prospects and push them hard and build them as attractions. This would still leave the door open for other fighters to break through but there needs to be a plan to build the next stars.
After the next round of sky contracts expire I think non of them should be renewed. Promoters should be left to bid for the dates available and this would ensure that the best cards were being made possible for those dates as each promoter would be in competition. It would also allow for good cards from Hennessey or VIP to get a look in from television where they were criminally ignored before.
Boxers
Boxers have it hard but in my opinion they need to be prepared to fight more often especially in their opening few years as a pro as this is when you are going to learn and develop a fanbase and it will ultimately give you the opportunity to earn more money and fight more often.
I know some boxers do this already but they need to be role models for the community we need to get rid of the stereotype thug image that many casuals have of the sport. Getting involved in community projects getting your face out there locally will build the fanbase and increase awareness of boxing.
British Boxing Board of Control
I get the impression that the BBBC is a very traditional organisation that is resistant to change. I feel that the BBBC could do so much more in improving the sport in this country.
They have the power to make or break fights but i think the one thing they have to do is bring out monthly ratings. A top 10 of British boxers in each division would both make it easy for the fan and increase transparency of the route to the British title. Nominating fighters for particular fights implies that deals have been made and it can often leave the average fan bemused as to why this particular fights has been made ahead of another.
In conjunction with the production of ratings domestic titles should be used as legitimate stepping stones to improving rankings rather than tools for promotion. Area titles have a great tradition in this country but now often lie dormant for years. They need to be revived as legitimate domestic belts as a way of boosting rankings and moving towards English then British title level.
I look forward to hearing everyones thoughts either in this thread or by PM
