Is the matchroom monopoly good for boxing?

[Jeff Thomas]

Having dealt with them they are a good outfit. They treat boxers very well- pay decent money and they seem in touch with what the fans want more then any other major promoter has demonstrated (not taking into account any of the newer guys like Goodwin, coldwell and co).

I think that they should make moves to promote the young guys, a 20 second clip and some press ups and them eating their dinner isn't enough. They should have a show dedicated to the undercards or have the option to watch shows in full with the main event on another channel.

I'm really intrigued by sky's strategy at the moment - what do you think they are planning?

[milpool]

I think Sky are a bit shortsighted if they are putting all their eggs in Eddie Hearn's basket. If Matchroom have a monopoly there is a risk that the quality will fall and not only that but it'll ensure that other promoters will struggle without vital TV exposure.
It will also be a lot more difficult for fights to be made particularly if the likes of Maloney and Hatton get a TV deal elsewhere. We'll have the Price v Fury scenario all too often and boxing doesn't need that.

Fair enough have one promotion as the principle player but don't freezer out the others.

[leforge]

I think Sky are a bit shortsighted if they are putting all their eggs in Eddie Hearn's basket. If Matchroom have a monopoly there is a risk that the quality will fall and not only that but it'll ensure that other promoters will struggle without vital TV exposure.
It will also be a lot more difficult for fights to be made particularly if the likes of Maloney and Hatton get a TV deal elsewhere. We'll have the Price v Fury scenario all too often and boxing doesn't need that.

Fair enough have one promotion as the principle player but don't freezer out the others.

Has Maloney gone anywhere? Is there any credibility in a tiny article in the star which not on their website?

[smoggy7188]

Hearn seems to be putting on big shows which will be cheaper for sky cos Hearn will be making his money through the tickets. Prizefighter is a massive cash cow for the Hearns and gets massive numbers for Sky. Id rather they gave Hearn a proportion of the dates ie 60% and let the other dates go to promoters who put up good fights so the dates go on a fight by fight basis for example miles/woodhouse. Hearn already has a massive monopoly due to the other sports that they put on. Putting the undercard on the red button would be a good idea, they could put andy scott and ed robinson commentary if they wanted. i saw a tweet from someone who works for skyboxing where he was asked why dont you show the undercard and he put cos we would be called allegedly. I can see Maloney just shedding his stable and keeping on Price. There have been persistant rumours that he was quitting the game for ages.

[Jeff Thomas]

That would make sense, let everyone compete for the remaining dates

[junior pepa seed]

Young Eddie has been a breathe of fresh air for me, doing everything right so far and he is still learning..he has a passion and the brain. Getting a great stable together and puts on some good cards, embraced social media unlike other promoters he is giving fans what they want and making the fights we want.

[whiskey]

I don't think Hearn should get a kicking for Sky's decisions.

The guy brought in Bute for Froch in their first proper promotion after Carl completed his super six obligations. That was the biggest fight out there for Carl and he got him home advantage.

Took Brook from undercard obscurity to 10,000 seat arenas - and got Barker a shot at the no1 in Sergio Martinez in no time at all. He also let Barker keep the entire purse, which was a terrific gesture indeed - and is looking for a shot at IBF middleweight champ Daniel Geale etc next after his hip rehab is concluded.

With regards the other promoters, I feel most for the likes of Martin Murray and Scott Quigg. If its true about Maloney / Price then that's odd, especially as he's in the marquee division. But Murray and Quigg had a lot of exposure and building-up on the channel and it seems a waste to cut them loose.

Historically Wazza and Hennessy etc have struggled to see eye to eye on making fights with each other (khan Murray , khan thaxton, Froch calzaghe) Perhaps Sky feel putting their eggs in the matchroom basket will encourage fights to be made, instead of rival promoters fleshing out cards with euro-bum fights, than risk a defeat to one of their competitors.

I dunno. At least Matchroom are a safe pair of hands. It could have been another promoter who just wanted to fleece the tv money for sh*t fights with stablemates or eastern bloc bums - instead of fighting their rivals from the uk ( which is what the fans want to see )

In closing you can't help but feel aggrieved for the others, and in an ideal world Sky kept everyone on. But it is what it is. Time will tell.

But logistically even Munroe vs Quigg II will require a new tv channel to air on. Unless matchroom co-promote with maybe Frampton in a double header.

[Coco]

No monopoly is good but Matchroom are the best people I have dealt with

[Jeff Thomas]

So basically it's monopolies are a bad thing but if someone has to have one it's best it's matchroom!

[leforge]

So basically it's monopolies are a bad thing but if someone has to have one it's best it's matchroom!

FWP have a monopoly on allegedly has that been good thing? i know there queensbury but it part of the same thing

[statmanjohn]

Re: Olympians
With Rob McCracken training them and Carl Froch training with them. It's a good influence to sway them into the matchroom camp.

[whiskey]

Re: Olympians
With Rob McCracken training them and Carl Froch training with them. It's a good influence to sway them into the matchroom camp.

It seems that way from the outside, but the reality is Rob simply isn't like that. Carl would offer his own experiences if asked, for them to draw their own conclusions from.

They're are a few ex-Olympians and former amateur stars who are unhappy with their current arrangement , who are very much firm friends with the current squad. So that is without doubt the main influence.

It boils down to Hennessy on terrestrial or matchroom on sky really, at this point in time. Unless the BBC or ITV jump back into it, off the back of the Olympics. Perhaps Hatton etc secures a great deal elsewhere and gets involved too. Still plenty of time to go.

[danfoster]

In any sane, logical business then a monopoly is quite clearly a bad thing as it supresses value and diversity. This is a bad thing for the consumer.

But in boxing, when 'suppliers' ie promoters refuse to match their best fighters together out of self-interest, then the losers are the consumers (the fans at home and at the venue) and in this case the broadcasters, who are left trying hard to sell an inferior product (and often with product subject to change at the last minute).

I remember when Adam Smith got the gig he made a point of saying that 'from now on, promoters will have to work together, no more excuses'. Sadly, with very few exceptions, it didn't happen.

If Hearn ends up with all the fighters, Sky/Matchroom model becomes similar to UFC. I don't like UFC so i don't watch it but everybody who does like it says that it's strength comes from hard matchmaking. The guys that run the show aren't scared of losing their one cash cow fighter (as an independent promoter quite naturally would be) and so they're prepared to put on quality shows knowing that this is what counts. The quality shows bring in the punters (viewing figures, ticket sales etc) and so everyone is happy.

I wonder if this is the driving force behind Sky's strategy?

Someone who would know these things told me that Matchroom produce nearly 20% of ALL Sky's live output - snooker, boxing, darts etc. They have a reputation for professionalism and look after their fighters well. It's understandable that Sky see them as ideal partners for this project, especially when you look at the stable they're putting together.

I dare say they'll have the cream of the Olympians too.

I'm not ITK at all it's just my analysis. I personally think it could work well.

[danfoster]

Re: Olympians
With Rob McCracken training them and Carl Froch training with them. It's a good influence to sway them into the matchroom camp.

It boils down to Hennessy on terrestrial or matchroom on sky really, at this point in time. Unless the BBC or ITV jump back into it, off the back of the Olympics. Perhaps Hatton etc secures a great deal elsewhere and gets involved too. Still plenty of time to go.

From what i've seen, Anthony Joshua has all the makings of a serious cross-over star. He could get all the broadcasters interested if he gets a gold or perhaps even any medal.

Apparently Hatton is saying he's got a deal with Five. I wouldn't know if that's true, just passing on rumours. As a viewer, I say the more the merrier. Maybe we'll see Quigg v Galahad?

[twenty six]

Just because Hearn has his "exclusivity" agreement with Sky, there's no reason other Promotors cannot sub contract fighters to him and then feature on Sky.
If you're a Promotor with no TV deal the dilemma is to carry on and try and make a profit on ticket sale generation, sponsorship etc, or take a reduced cut by sub contracting fighters to the Promotor with the TV deal.

[mfc_se15]

Hearn seems to be putting on big shows which will be cheaper for sky cos Hearn will be making his money through the tickets. Prizefighter is a massive cash cow for the Hearns and gets massive numbers for Sky. Id rather they gave Hearn a proportion of the dates ie 60% and let the other dates go to promoters who put up good fights so the dates go on a fight by fight basis for example miles/woodhouse. Hearn already has a massive monopoly due to the other sports that they put on. Putting the undercard on the red button would be a good idea, they could put andy scott and ed robinson commentary if they wanted. i saw a tweet from someone who works for skyboxing where he was asked why dont you show the undercard and he put cos we would be called Allegedly channel. I can see Maloney just shedding his stable and keeping on Price. There have been persistant rumours that he was quitting the game for ages.

Agreed with this post. I think something needs to be done about the undercards. Seems a real shame that we are missing out on decent match ups/the progression of some of the youngsters. Even if they just showed them in full on a Sunday morning or something it would be an improvement - I mean lets be honest what are sky showing at 10 on a Sunday morning F1 maybe and the weekends football goals on one channel that leaves a couple of channels spare.

[stujones]

No Monopoly is good and this will only mean less boxing on Sky.

However, I think long term it could be better for Maloney and Hattons to seek a new tv deal (although try to avoid a different subscription based channel). Hattons and Maloney must be very frustrated at how much Sky favour the Hearns with their advertising. Did anyone see any adverts for Saturday's bill - which a great domestic bill. Compare that to Hatton vs Brook.

[orbtastic]

I personally wish they would dump Prizefighter and show more of the sort of cards Hatton & Maloney were showing - decent headliner and some up and comers on the undercard. They're entertaining live, although as with all prospects they typically get fed some soft touches but it's not like the likes of Eubank Jr or Fury are being tested of late, neither are many of the FW prospects.

I can see why they love Prizefighter though, you don't need to know anything about boxing to watch it and the fights are short and usually fairly active, although the level of skill is generally poorer compared to domestic title fights. Plus it's cheap for them and it's perfect pub viewing.

[Jeff Thomas]

Someone should jump on eurosport

[smoggy7188]

Someone should jump on eurosport

This. One of Mickey Helliett shows got just under 800,000.

[mfc_se15]

Someone should jump on eurosport

This. One of Mickey Helliett shows got just under 800,000.

He has had a few on there I think. Sure at least a couple of the ones I've been at, at the Coronet have been on Eurosport.