Worrying Times for Sports Network!!!

big bad bill · Post by **big bad bill** » 04 Aug 2005, 05:41

With the news that Hatton may be signing with a major American Network this could jepordise warren recent 20 show deal with ITV.....im sure ITV would not have coughed up the dosh for the full 20 dates and maybe had some kind of deal that is re-negotiable afetr say 5 shows.....so they could see the ratings for the first five and the culminating in Hattons first defence say... and then stump up the readies to soley promote the Sportsnetwork crew for the next 3 to 4 years taking the likes of Kevin Mitchell and Amir Khan to the world title shots...........
Hatton not being part of this may make the top boys at ITV to re-think the plans as they may be reluctant to part up with money and Sportsnetwork vast assortment of PROSPECT....
Khan looked great on his debut but im sure Warren was a little gutted that he topped the bill coz like Big Aud has proved ...the public due get bored with seeing 4 and 6 round mis matches and the worry is that the will with Khan if his first 10 blow outs are billed as major prime time fights..
This year is a big year for the likes of Mitchell who has been ticking over nicley will the Khan hype machine takes over just like it was with Mitchell not to long ago............its now time for the kid to let his fist do the talking and show the country the talents which may belive he has

KHAN v MITCHELL 2010.............Sounds good dont it ????

After burning his bridges with SKY and the BBC prefer to pay Gervais and Graham Norton vast amounts of our dosh to produce their crap BRAVO TV Beckons for British boxing....hahaha

No seriously what do yoy guys think.....will Hatton stay on British TV....or is the lure of the US Dollar to much????????

JimmyJamJerusalem · Post by **JimmyJamJerusalem** » 04 Aug 2005, 08:14

Every fighter dreams of fighting in Vegas on the big shows. It's not a lure for Hatton, it's natural progression. If you don't go to the states and make a name for yourself (Lewis, Hamed etc) you piss every one at home off with weak defences (CALZAGHE!!!!).

Mitchell v Khan could happen sooner that 2010, and Khan would take the little punk to school!! I know boys who beat Mitchell in the amateurs quite convincingly. He aint all that.

My tip for the top is still young Tony Doherty.

Sports Network are not showing on Sky anymore then, is that correct??

split_decision · Post by **split_decision** » 04 Aug 2005, 16:31

JimmyJamJerusalem wrote: Sports Network are not showing on Sky anymore then, is that correct??

Correct

pasty_spud · Post by **pasty_spud** » 05 Aug 2005, 01:35

since when would hatton fighting in america mean it won't be shown on ITV??

before ITV he was with SN,SKY AND SHOWTIME.if hatton was to fight in america during that time it would have been shown on sky..now it's SN,ITV and HBO/SHOWTIME whoever...and the same would apply..

i think it'll only be a problem if hatton leaves SPORTS NETWORK (SN),but i guess that'll be a breach of contract on hattons part??

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 05 Aug 2005, 03:48

pasty_spud wrote:since when would hatton fighting in america mean it won't be shown on ITV??

before ITV he was with SN,SKY AND SHOWTIME.if hatton was to fight in america during that time it would have been shown on sky..now it's SN,ITV and HBO/SHOWTIME whoever...and the same would apply..

i think it'll only be a problem if hatton leaves SPORTS NETWORK (SN),but i guess that'll be a breach of contract on hattons part??

Hatton's not under contract with them at the moment, their agreement expired after the Tszyu fight and he still hasnt signed a new one.

I really hope he jumps ship. While Allegedly did deliver him the Tszyu fight lets be honest he was held back for a long long time. Even though it would mean very few if any Hatton fights held in the UK for him to be a huge star he needs to be fighting in the US and Allegedly just isnt keen on that when he can pack the MEN with 22,000+ every time Hatton fights and line his own pockets.

split_decision · Post by **split_decision** » 05 Aug 2005, 08:24

pasty_spud wrote:since when would hatton fighting in america mean it won't be shown on ITV??

I dont think they wouldnt show it if it was in the US but I cant imagine they'd be too happy about showing something that would draw a big primetime saturday night audience at say 4 in the morning.

pasty_spud · Post by **pasty_spud** » 05 Aug 2005, 10:55

nickd wrote:
pasty_spud wrote:since when would hatton fighting in america mean it won't be shown on ITV??

before ITV he was with SN,SKY AND SHOWTIME.if hatton was to fight in america during that time it would have been shown on sky..now it's SN,ITV and HBO/SHOWTIME whoever...and the same would apply..

i think it'll only be a problem if hatton leaves SPORTS NETWORK (SN),but i guess that'll be a breach of contract on hattons part??
Hatton's not under contract with them at the moment, their agreement expired after the Tszyu fight and he still hasnt signed a new.

i didn't know that!, he'll sign back with warren...

spilt_decision wrote:I dont think they wouldnt show it if it was in the US but I cant imagine they'd be too happy about showing something that would draw a big primetime saturday night audience at say 4 in the morning

of course they would,not only would they have the rights to show it at 4am but they would holds the rights to replays..say 8pm sunday night for which i would imagine they would get 3 or 4 million viewers.[/quote]

rubberjohnny · Post by **rubberjohnny** » 05 Aug 2005, 12:17

God, I hate armchair experts. What the F'#k do you lot know about the inner dealings of the business. Go back to reading the Sun or talk about something you actually know about.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 05 Aug 2005, 12:23

Don't hold back now

Fact is though, the inner dealing of the business are a mystery to pretty much everyone except those who are directly involved, viewing figures, contracts, and the money aspect of the game have always been pretty hard to nail down, precisely because people like to keep that sort of thing to themselves. There's more rumour than actual knowledge involved.

I personally am not convinced that ITV would be guaranteed anything like those figures for a replay on a Sunday. They got what was is, 4.5 million for showing Amir Khan live, and more people currently know Khan than Hatton due to the power of the Olympics.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 05 Aug 2005, 12:24

rubberjohnny wrote:God, I hate armchair experts. What the F'#k do you lot know about the inner dealings of the business. Go back to reading the Sun or talk about something you actually know about.

Shut Up, this is interesting, and should we just not come to the forum to discuss anything boxing related?

Anyway I'd be chuffed if Hatton leaves SN because Hatton will be likely to make meaningful fights instead of tripe like the Mausa fight that Warren wants.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 05 Aug 2005, 12:47

Whilst not spectacularly exciting from a fan's perspective it would make sense to get another belt.

I'd rather see him in with Corralles myself, even though Corrales isn't a 140 lber, I reckon it would still have all the ingredients for a cracking fight.

Both men are going to want a hefty payday though, and it might take a while to make.

What Hatton musn't do is lose the momentum he gained in taking out Tszyu.

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 05 Aug 2005, 13:25

How can it be a bad time for Sports Network, they have a twenty-fight contract with ITV and some of their stars will now be afforded prime-time TV exposure.

They have in Amir Khan, the most well known boxer in the country at the moment as well of course current IBF champion Ricky Hatton who I can't see upping and leaving SN and who is guaranteed to put at least 20,000 bums on seats at the MEN or even more if they go outdoor next summer at the City of Manchester Stadium.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 05 Aug 2005, 14:01

rubberjohnny wrote:God, I hate armchair experts. What the F'#k do you lot know about the inner dealings of the business. Go back to reading the Sun or talk about something you actually know about.

Correct whoever has upset you then.