Matchroom

[Superheavy]

The emergence of Matchroom as a player in boxing:

I don't know a great deal of Matchroom's history in the sport, but the Prizefighter series (and, crucially, the accompanying SKY deal) paved the way for them to move onto high profile individual promotional deals, starting with Audley Harrison.

In the last few weeks we appear to have witnessed the beginnings of the collapse of Hennessey Sports. In contrast, Matchroom appears to be growing. They've picked up talents in Darren Barker and Kell B. The lack of progress in Kell's career has been a bit of a mystery, hopefully he can crack on now. The latest story out on Matchroom is that they're in for Froch, which would be a coup.

There appears to be a fair bit of goodwill out there for Matchroom - where does that come from? And what about Eddie Hearn - what is his background / pedigree? And does he - and Matchroom as an outfit - have the credentials and contacts to deliver the fights?

I wish them well.

[tear up]

The emergence of Matchroom as a player in boxing:

I don't know a great deal of Matchroom's history in the sport, but the Prizefighter series (and, crucially, the accompanying SKY deal) paved the way for them to move onto high profile individual promotional deals, starting with Audley Harrison.

In the last few weeks we appear to have witnessed the beginnings of the collapse of Hennessey Sports. In contrast, Matchroom appears to be growing. They've picked up talents in Darren Barker and Kell B. The lack of progress in Kell's career has been a bit of a mystery, hopefully he can crack on now. The latest story out on Matchroom is that they're in for Froch, which would be a coup.

There appears to be a fair bit of goodwill out there for Matchroom - where does that come from? And what about Eddie Hearn - what is his background / pedigree? And does he - and Matchroom as an outfit - have the credentials and contacts to deliver the fights?

I wish them well.

mr hearn and john wish they loyal dont stab you in the back guys the took me from been a novice to world title challenger lonsdale belt winner with 3 defences 3 defences of the european title gave me great money which i was told when i put pen to paper what will you do with this money micheal from mr hearn i said buy houses ok sighn ere they had boxer who wasted it in the past he said they that nice they look out for you great team great to have on your side

[Ketchel]

Any Matchroom bill I've been to has always had competitive fights, not like other certain promoters who have bills in the UK where you can pick the winner in every bout.

[stevek3lly]

The emergence of Matchroom as a player in boxing:

I don't know a great deal of Matchroom's history in the sport, but the Prizefighter series (and, crucially, the accompanying SKY deal) paved the way for them to move onto high profile individual promotional deals, starting with Audley Harrison.

In the last few weeks we appear to have witnessed the beginnings of the collapse of Hennessey Sports. In contrast, Matchroom appears to be growing. They've picked up talents in Darren Barker and Kell B. The lack of progress in Kell's career has been a bit of a mystery, hopefully he can crack on now. The latest story out on Matchroom is that they're in for Froch, which would be a coup.

There appears to be a fair bit of goodwill out there for Matchroom - where does that come from? And what about Eddie Hearn - what is his background / pedigree? And does he - and Matchroom as an outfit - have the credentials and contacts to deliver the fights?

I wish them well.

mr hearn and john wish they loyal dont stab you in the back guys the took me from been a novice to world title challenger lonsdale belt winner with 3 defences 3 defences of the european title gave me great money which i was told when i put pen to paper what will you do with this money micheal from mr hearn i said buy houses ok sighn ere they had boxer who wasted it in the past he said they that nice they look out for you great team great to have on your side

The Hears have always boosted every sport they are heavily involved in, so the more they are into boxing the better is is for me. They seem top guys and really interested in putting on shows. They get on well with Sky as well which is always a good thing.

Hey Michael, you ever going to come back?

[liamlion]

Barry Hearn was heavily involved with Chris Eubank in the 90s.

Ive said it previously, he's a promotional genius and i hope Matchroom continue to grow, because it will force other British promoters to raise their games!

[Des1]

Matchroom have been around for a long time. Wasn't the first Eubank v Benn fight a Matchroom promotion?

[mickey1975]

Matchroom were massive in the nineties.They would be the biggest firm in European boxing by far if it was thier only sport.

[pyenest77]

They have the best bills IMO the bill in Huddersfield recently was excellent.

Also very easy to get tickets off just ring the number & receive them a few days later without paying postage & packing.

[Old bones Ian]

First started in 1987, pro-box.

When i was 15 i wrote (no email back then) to a few of the promoters asking for any handbills or posters etc, Matchroom were the ones that responded with loads of handbills and some posters. I always think that was a nice touch.

[gobbles]

Since when did Matchroom become the saviour of boxing?

They've had a Sky contract for years and until recently did absolutely nothing to promote their fights, just taking the TV money, sticking it on in a cheap venue and relying on boxers to sell the tickets.

This meant their fighters became nobodies. While their shows were nearly empty. But Matchroom didn't care because they had the Sky money plus the Hungarian/Polish TV money from the strange fight that was on at 5pm.

People can talk about the Eubank years, how about the years of Jawaid Khaliq and WBF titles topping the bill?

[liamlion]

Since when did Matchroom become the saviour of boxing?

They've had a Sky contract for years and until recently did absolutely nothing to promote their fights, just taking the TV money, sticking it on in a cheap venue and relying on boxers to sell the tickets.

This meant their fighters became nobodies. While their shows were nearly empty. But Matchroom didn't care because they had the Sky money plus the Hungarian/Polish TV money from the strange fight that was on at 5pm.

People can talk about the Eubank years, how about the years of Jawaid Khaliq and WBF titles topping the bill?

Live in the now my friend. Matchroom are clearly (imo) doing good things with British Boxing at the moment. Long may it continue!

[princess]

Matchroom are a great bunch of guys and have great people Jonny wish is a gent and jumbo and the lads that help run the shows are a pleasure to do business with there no back stabbing just a great bunch all round

[alexpaterson]

They've done excellently signing Barker and Brook, hopefully they can Move them on to bigger and better things. Who else is in 'the Matchroom stable?

[leforge]

They've done excellently signing Barker and Brook, hopefully they can Move them on to bigger and better things. Who else is in 'the Matchroom stable?

Rees & Mccloskey. I think Purdy could be with them

[funso banjo baby]

From the very first Prizefighter (Rogan and Dolan) it was clear that there was huge scope for this tournament.

It fell off a bit but generally its been a great thing.

Standouts were the first Cruiserweight at Olympia...and the 'Audley' one (apart from the the Ecxel minus-mark).

[chrisfinch]

Since when did Matchroom become the saviour of boxing?

They've had a Sky contract for years and until recently did absolutely nothing to promote their fights, just taking the TV money, sticking it on in a cheap venue and relying on boxers to sell the tickets.

This meant their fighters became nobodies. While their shows were nearly empty. But Matchroom didn't care because they had the Sky money plus the Hungarian/Polish TV money from the strange fight that was on at 5pm.

People can talk about the Eubank years, how about the years of Jawaid Khaliq and WBF titles topping the bill?

Matchroom have won the purse bids for the British title fights that nobody else wants over the last few years. If it wasn't for them, these fights (however poor some of them were) wouldn't have been televised, or might not have happened at all.

It's great to see them (well, Eddie) taking more of an interest in the sport. The name carries huge clout worldwide, and you only have to look at what they have done in other sports, most notably darts to see what can happen if they are fully behind it and everything comes off.

[stujones]

huge clout worldwide? I think Barry has done fantastically well and I credit anyone who works as hard as him - but I aint convinced Matchroom is a global worldwide brand - I know they are branching out with the darts and its massive over here, but I cannot imagine the likes of Dennis Preistely being mobbed in China or America.

[gobbles]

Since when did Matchroom become the saviour of boxing?

They've had a Sky contract for years and until recently did absolutely nothing to promote their fights, just taking the TV money, sticking it on in a cheap venue and relying on boxers to sell the tickets.

This meant their fighters became nobodies. While their shows were nearly empty. But Matchroom didn't care because they had the Sky money plus the Hungarian/Polish TV money from the strange fight that was on at 5pm.

People can talk about the Eubank years, how about the years of Jawaid Khaliq and WBF titles topping the bill?

Live in the now my friend. Matchroom are clearly (imo) doing good things with British Boxing at the moment. Long may it continue!

Doing good things???

They've signed two largely inactive prospects. Apart from that there main contribution has been slagging off Amir Khan and making ridiculous demands for a rematch for a one-sided fight to take place in the loser's backyard.
Proof is in the pudding. If they move Brook and Barker and make big fights in Britain, great. But they haven't done it yet.

[kamicazze]

Since when did Matchroom become the saviour of boxing?

They've had a Sky contract for years and until recently did absolutely nothing to promote their fights, just taking the TV money, sticking it on in a cheap venue and relying on boxers to sell the tickets.

This meant their fighters became nobodies. While their shows were nearly empty. But Matchroom didn't care because they had the Sky money plus the Hungarian/Polish TV money from the strange fight that was on at 5pm.

People can talk about the Eubank years, how about the years of Jawaid Khaliq and WBF titles topping the bill?

Jawaid Khaliq was signed to Tommy Gilmour. Khaliq was very under rated, and he would have beaten the likes of Andre Berto, Saul Alvarez, Mathew Hatton, Yuri Senchenko and other so called elite fighters topping bills nowadays.

[gobbles]

Since when did Matchroom become the saviour of boxing?

They've had a Sky contract for years and until recently did absolutely nothing to promote their fights, just taking the TV money, sticking it on in a cheap venue and relying on boxers to sell the tickets.

This meant their fighters became nobodies. While their shows were nearly empty. But Matchroom didn't care because they had the Sky money plus the Hungarian/Polish TV money from the strange fight that was on at 5pm.

People can talk about the Eubank years, how about the years of Jawaid Khaliq and WBF titles topping the bill?

Jawaid Khaliq was signed to Tommy Gilmour. Khaliq was very under rated, and he would have beaten the likes of Andre Berto, Saul Alvarez, Mathew Hatton, Yuri Senchenko and other so called elite fighters topping bills nowadays.

Don't agree with that. But why was he under-rated? Because his promoters (Matchroom) gave him no promotion and only ever stuck his fights on at the Harvey Hadden Centre.

[kamicazze]

He won 33 of 36 fights as an amateur. He sparred Ricky and Mathew Hatton and done them both over. He sparred James Hare regularly and had the better of him. All of his ibo defences were shutouts against decent opposition. He was a fighter who was a high risk without the reward that comes with it. Your not going to risk losing to someone if you dont get paid well for it

[palooka]

He won 33 of 36 fights as an amateur. He sparred Ricky and Mathew Hatton and done them both over. He sparred James Hare regularly and had the better of him. All of his ibo defences were shutouts against decent opposition. He was a fighter who was a high risk without the reward that comes with it. Your not going to risk losing to someone if you dont get paid well for it

It's well known that Ricky would work on things in sparring and not go out to do the other fella in. I watched Jawaid box a couple of times in the flesh and he was very good at what he did and was fit and disciplined but he weren't a 'thwarted superstar'; there's no way he'd have beaten the very top men, (no disrespect to him, he was very good but he weren't ever going to the best in the world).

[stujones]

Come on Kamicazze, you obviously know Jawid and are a big fan, but his defence against Duzman was far from a shut out - he gave him all the trouble he could handle. Split Decision as far as I can remember.

[tear up]

The emergence of Matchroom as a player in boxing:

I don't know a great deal of Matchroom's history in the sport, but the Prizefighter series (and, crucially, the accompanying SKY deal) paved the way for them to move onto high profile individual promotional deals, starting with Audley Harrison.

In the last few weeks we appear to have witnessed the beginnings of the collapse of Hennessey Sports. In contrast, Matchroom appears to be growing. They've picked up talents in Darren Barker and Kell B. The lack of progress in Kell's career has been a bit of a mystery, hopefully he can crack on now. The latest story out on Matchroom is that they're in for Froch, which would be a coup.

There appears to be a fair bit of goodwill out there for Matchroom - where does that come from? And what about Eddie Hearn - what is his background / pedigree? And does he - and Matchroom as an outfit - have the credentials and contacts to deliver the fights?

I wish them well.

mr hearn and john wish they loyal dont stab you in the back guys the took me from been a novice to world title challenger lonsdale belt winner with 3 defences 3 defences of the european title gave me great money which i was told when i put pen to paper what will you do with this money micheal from mr hearn i said buy houses ok sighn ere they had boxer who wasted it in the past he said they that nice they look out for you great team great to have on your side

The Hears have always boosted every sport they are heavily involved in, so the more they are into boxing the better is is for me. They seem top guys and really interested in putting on shows. They get on well with Sky as well which is always a good thing.

Hey Michael, you ever going to come back?

come back iv had more come backs than back to the future mate i know there s a prize fighter feather weight comin up and truth thats one thing id jump at but short notice its in 8 and half weeks from now sayin which you will laugh at ere mate quote rocky 5 think thers somethink left in the basement pauly ha ha ha that will b my sayin if i come back like my old one good old fashioned tear up i got on with a body builder for last fight the diet didnt work with booth had 2 rounds in me all protein but never cry over spild milk i have my 4th girl comin any day now so iv got hard work to do when she comes think theres a few hard fight s left in me mate

[gobbles]

He won 33 of 36 fights as an amateur. He sparred Ricky and Mathew Hatton and done them both over. He sparred James Hare regularly and had the better of him. All of his ibo defences were shutouts against decent opposition. He was a fighter who was a high risk without the reward that comes with it. Your not going to risk losing to someone if you dont get paid well for it

In that sentence you have backed up my point about the problem with Matchroom as promoters and underlined the problem with Khaliq's career.