Sky's domestic line up

[fizzjambo]

When Sky gave Eddie Hearn the power they have over their domestic boxing schedule they put a considerable weight on his shoulders. The argument for the change in tact was to drop the number of domestic boxing shows but increase the quality and depth of show on offer. Are people generally happy enough with what is now on offer for this autumn so far? Let's put aside the rights and wrongs of the changes and focus on whether or not the drop of in output looks like being compensated by an increase in quaility.

Sept 8th - The Bellew fight depends on how you view Bellew in my opinion. You either think he fought a very close fight (I scored it a draw) at world title level against Cleverly and hence is a world class operator himself or that both are no where near real world class in a weak division and it was at best a Euro level fight. I slightly fall in the middle but to me Miranda is a poorish opponent. In reality he's a middle or super middle and hasn't had a really good win since he beat Alan Green in 2007. He's lost 5 of 11 since then.
Barker's fight is more understandable due to his injury problems but in reality again he's fighting a 36 year old light middle who doesn't have a win of any real note at all. The only interest to it is how fit Barker is as if he's half right this should be no contest for him. Ochieng and Toms is a decent scrap as Ochieng is just a baby and Toms has a couple of good wins (though eqaully a couple of bad losses) of late. A number of good potential prospects are on the undercard but it's not a nights boxing of any great match up's in my opinion and I'd be stunned to see an upset of any type.

Sept 22nd - The Frampton fight, for me, is superb. Molitor hasn't look the same since Caballero wrecked him but the Caballero of four years ago is light years ahead of the current Frampton. Frampton really hasn't fought anyone near Molitor's level but then Molitor has looked pretty beatable of late. I don't think Frampton could be asked to face any better at this stage of his development. Selby's fight is a good one as well. Lindsay has been inactive of late and got a shock against Simpson but a good few have suffer like that against Simpson. Until then he was looking good and is only 30. Selby is in good form himself but is not quite at European level yet. It's a good match and an upset is possible. McCloskey's fight isn't great but he's looked very poor in his last three fights and really hasn't shown any evidence of being world class himself. Perez is coming off a couple of decent wins so it's a reasonable enough fight. Perez winning wouldn't be a shock. Again good prospects on the undercard.

Oct 6th - I'm bored senseless of the Prizefighter but it's a decent line up. Not 'the best ever' as a few have been claiming but acceptable. Mathews, Crolla, Sykes and Farrell all have a good shot and Fielding is in a half decent scrap. It's no better than what's gone before though.

Oct 20th - Brook's fight isn't a classic but he needs to stay at his current level until he polishes one or two things up a bit. If he gets everything right he should do a number on Saldivia, if he is what he was against Jones then he's in a serious fight. It secures a madatory No1 spot so it's a decent enough fight in general and Saldivia can bang so it tests that chin again. McDonnell is the only support at present and he's in a reasonable fight as well. It's a wee step up from his last contest and world level at bantam is frightening - there's no huge rush. A decent card at present

[winkveron]

I said on here a couple of years ago that I'd rather have a stacked bill every 2/3 weeks rather than thin, average bills every weekend. I got laughed out of here. So, I prefer this. I think that in the space of 6 weeks or so they are 3 good bills that I'd go out of my way to watch rather than the sometimes missable weekly shows.

There's always a weekly Ringside show to keep your appetite in the intervening time, as well as foreign shows on streams etc.

[danfoster]

I think that's a really fair summary of the fights mate.

I personally think that some of weekly shows - especially those based on the template of 'ordinary UK prospect v Teak Tough Ghanain' - were killing boxing. Shows like that quite rightly - in my personal opinion - caused Sky to go a different route.

So my vote is for fewer shows with better quality.

Also, I hear FIVE and Hennessey might be making a bit of a move too so things are looking ok if you ask me.

[mickey1975]

allegedly has a much, much better schedule. The Barker fight is crap as is the Bellew fight if you look at it without Eddie Hearn goggles on.

[Camcas]

Allegedly channel has a much, much better schedule. The Barker fight is crap as is the Bellew fight if you look at it without Eddie Hearn goggles on.

It doesn't have a better UK schedule, just picked up better overseas fights

[smoggy7188]

Skys lack of boxing schedule isnt really a problem because you have three other channels showing a decent amount of boxing with allegedly, Channel5 and Goodwins set up. I think your summary of Mirandas last few fights is a bit harsh because if you look at his record he only really looses to good solid world class operators. Miranda is just below world class level and is a bit of a gatekeeper to world level so if Bellew can do a good job on him then its a good name to have. Selby/Lindsay is the best fight they have got scheduled, too classy operators going to war will be a brilliant watch and will be the fight of that weekend. McDonnells fight pisses all over the Brook fight for me, really looking forward to that one. McDonnell has gone along under the radar but he is one of the most improved boxers around and should win if he keeps the fight long and doesnt go to the trenches.

[fizzjambo]

I think that's a really fair summary of the fights mate.

I personally think that some of weekly shows - especially those based on the template of 'ordinary UK prospect v Teak Tough Ghanain' - were killing boxing. Shows like that quite rightly - in my personal opinion - caused Sky to go a different route.

So my vote is for fewer shows with better quality.

Also, I hear FIVE and Hennessey might be making a bit of a move too so things are looking ok if you ask me.

I don't disagree with Sky removing the average stuff, so long as it's replaced with really top class bills. I like the Frampton card and am happy with the Brook card so far but the Bellew/Barker card is really poor and although I loved Prizefighter at first I don't even watch it now, just sick to the back teeth with it - so many of the bouts are either dreadful or just getting good when they end

I don't just have Sky for the boxing but it's one of the major reasons and although I really hope Hearn does well I'm pretty close to canceling Sky as a result of their boxing output. It's difficult to justify spending £60 a month (phone line, sky sports, sky package) on the fights Bellew, Barker and McCloskey have and Prizefighter. I know the landscape was changing but are the cards announced any better than Froch/Bute, Quigg/Munro, Price/Sexton, Brook/Jones, etc? As a package the sum total of Haye, Price, Fury, Bellew, Cleverly, De Gale, Groves, Froch, Barker, Murray, Saunders, Mac, Brook, Khan, Mitchell, Gavin, Burns, Murray, Rees, Frampton, Quigg, Munro, McDonnell is excellent along with all the prospects coming through but everything is spread so thin and thus is high end cost.

I understand what Sky are trying to do and if you could sign up to Sky Sports without their main package I'd stay but they seem to be pouring so much money into F1 which I have no interest in.

[Manchester Hitman]

I havent really got a problem with the cards Hearn has got scheduled.

The belfast bill looks good, and I respect the fact he brought in Molitor as a replacement for Kiko 'Running Man' Martinez.
Whilst Miranda is a pretty washed up Middleweight, he is still a danger for Bellow as he will go down swinging for the fences for however long it lasts rather then just coming over for the cheque.

[Instantiate]

Skys lack of boxing schedule isnt really a problem because you have three other channels showing a decent amount of boxing with Allegedly channel, Channel5 and Goodwins set up. I think your summary of Mirandas last few fights is a bit harsh because if you look at his record he only really looses to good solid world class operators. Miranda is just below world class level and is a bit of a gatekeeper to world level so if Bellew can do a good job on him then its a good name to have. Selby/Lindsay is the best fight they have got scheduled, too classy operators going to war will be a brilliant watch and will be the fight of that weekend. McDonnells fight pisses all over the Brook fight for me, really looking forward to that one. McDonnell has gone along under the radar but he is one of the most improved boxers around and should win if he keeps the fight long and doesnt go to the trenches.

Despaigne isn't close to being world class, and Miranda hasn't done anything to suggest that he's only 'just below world class' at 175.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Allegedly channel has a much, much better schedule. The Barker fight is crap as is the Bellew fight if you look at it without Eddie Hearn goggles on.

allegedly SHOULD be better, it's a channel devoted to boxing....

[mickey1975]

Allegedly channel has a much, much better schedule. The Barker fight is crap as is the Bellew fight if you look at it without Eddie Hearn goggles on.

Allegedly channel SHOULD be better, it's a channel devoted to boxing....

And this is a forum dedicated to boxing, so, to us lot, £10 a month is a lot better than £60 for much better action. None of Hearn's fighters are likely to lose in the upcoming fights, he is probably even going to get Froch a gimme now he knows a channel actually WANTS him. Compare that to Burns-Mitchell or even Heffron-Smith, fights which are genuine 50/50, 60/40.

[saturday_kid]

I'd rather see weekly "average" bills (think people forget for every Broadhurst Vs Haskins or prospect Vs Afrobum there was a Rhodes/Macklin or Skelton/Rogan) there were atleast

My problem is with these big bumper bills were missing some small hall classics - fights for english titles, interesting 8 rounders etc.
Unless your British title level your not getting any TV exposure (sometimes even the Brit title fights aren't shown live) in favour of silly WBC/WBA alphabetty intercontinetal international baubles)

In my ideal world Sky would show Friday Fight Night small hall bills weekly and a bumper saturday night show every month or so.

Yes I know Sky have a lot less time/money for boxing now but they still persist with Prizefighter they could use that money/time for small hall shows (if they weren't monoploised by one promoter that is)

Unfortunately i'm not a casual fan so Sky/Hearn would have no interest in what I have to say/what I want.

[smoggy7188]

Skys lack of boxing schedule isnt really a problem because you have three other channels showing a decent amount of boxing with Allegedly channel, Channel5 and Goodwins set up. I think your summary of Mirandas last few fights is a bit harsh because if you look at his record he only really looses to good solid world class operators. Miranda is just below world class level and is a bit of a gatekeeper to world level so if Bellew can do a good job on him then its a good name to have. Selby/Lindsay is the best fight they have got scheduled, too classy operators going to war will be a brilliant watch and will be the fight of that weekend. McDonnells fight pisses all over the Brook fight for me, really looking forward to that one. McDonnell has gone along under the radar but he is one of the most improved boxers around and should win if he keeps the fight long and doesnt go to the trenches.

Despaigne isn't close to being world class, and Miranda hasn't done anything to suggest that he's only 'just below world class' at 175.

Miranda was in control against Despaigne and only lost cos of low blows.

[fizzjambo]

Sorry unless you class Francisco Sierra, David Banks or Henry Porras as 'world class' then Miranda doesn't have a single win of any note at 168. He certainly does not have a single win of even the slightest interest at 175!

It is scraping the barrell in the extreme to suggest that Miranda provides a test of world operator level credentials at 175. He was a potentially dangerous test for top fighters at 160, a stepping stone for decent fighters at 168 and is a club fighter at 175. To claim anymore is bull turd

[fizzjambo]

Skys lack of boxing schedule isnt really a problem because you have three other channels showing a decent amount of boxing with Allegedly channel, Channel5 and Goodwins set up. I think your summary of Mirandas last few fights is a bit harsh because if you look at his record he only really looses to good solid world class operators. Miranda is just below world class level and is a bit of a gatekeeper to world level so if Bellew can do a good job on him then its a good name to have. Selby/Lindsay is the best fight they have got scheduled, too classy operators going to war will be a brilliant watch and will be the fight of that weekend. McDonnells fight pisses all over the Brook fight for me, really looking forward to that one. McDonnell has gone along under the radar but he is one of the most improved boxers around and should win if he keeps the fight long and doesnt go to the trenches.

Despaigne isn't close to being world class, and Miranda hasn't done anything to suggest that he's only 'just below world class' at 175.

Miranda was in control against Despaigne and only lost cos of low blows.

So what? Despaigne isn't world class! Plus there tends to be a reason fighters throw low blows, normally that their struggling. Miranda is no gatekeeper at 175. Would Lara having Ricky Hattons name on his record at 154 mean anything?

[smoggy7188]

Where did i say Miranda is a gatekeeper at light-heavy? Where did i say Despaigne is world class? You cant deny having Miranda on his record isnt a good scalp, plus Miranda is better than Karpency and Kuziemski.

[Instantiate]

Where did i say Miranda is a gatekeeper at light-heavy? Where did i say Despaigne is world class? You cant deny having Miranda on his record isnt a good scalp, plus Miranda is better than Karpency and Kuziemski.

You claimed that Miranda only "looses to good solid world class operators". Since Miranda lost to Despaigne, you must consider Despaigne world class or you don't agree with your own statement. Also, Miranda was hurt by Despaigne and outboxed in most rounds; he wasn't close to being 'in control', which is probably why he resorted to proscribed tactics.

Karpency, Kuziemski, and Miranda are currently far from world class at 175. Cleverly's poor opposition doesn't elevate Miranda.

[smoggy7188]

I put "he only really looses to world class operators", if i meant he only looses to world class operators i would have left out the really. I will watch what i put more carefully next time.

[Instantiate]

Good man! Clarity is nice.

Your qualifier signifies Miranda's declining form; he's now losing to prospects lacking notable wins. I don't think Miranda-Bellew is a poor fight, as the former has recently shown in losing efforts that he can make prospects and fringe-contenders work hard for victory. I do, however, take issue with the conclusion that Miranda is currently near world level in any respect.

[smoggy7188]

I like the Miranda fight cos Bellew has past the British and Commonwealth level now, there isnt a fight for him at that level. And if he isnt going to fight for the Euro belt id rather see him fight Miranda than some Afro bum. I agree Miranda is not the force he once was but for Bellew at this stage it is a good fight and he should force Bellew to think about things instead of just banging through him.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Allegedly channel has a much, much better schedule. The Barker fight is crap as is the Bellew fight if you look at it without Eddie Hearn goggles on.

Allegedly channel SHOULD be better, it's a channel devoted to boxing....

And this is a forum dedicated to boxing, so, to us lot, £10 a month is a lot better than £60 for much better action. None of Hearn's fighters are likely to lose in the upcoming fights, he is probably even going to get Froch a gimme now he knows a channel actually WANTS him. Compare that to Burns-Mitchell or even Heffron-Smith, fights which are genuine 50/50, 60/40.

Oh noes, Froch might be getting an easy one after being the under-dog in something like 4 of his last 5. Sorry but Froch deserves an easy one, unlike Cleverly who will almost certainly be fed another turkey. Some of what is on allegedly is class, like the Burns v Mitchell contest but some other stuff is complete garbage (Alexander Povetkin v Hasim Rahman being a notable example).

Your right this is a boxing forum and this is about a boxing channel. Comparing Sky to allegedly is disingenuous however as Sky fill their schedule up with more than just boxing. If we had a channel called "Sky Boxing" that was aimed solely at boxing fans I'd expect to see A LOT of boxing on their schedule, I'd expect notable international bouts like Golovkin v Proksa or Mthalane v Nunez to be picked up. Sadly a true "boxing channel" doesn't seem to have picked up either of those fights (yet).

[whiskey]

Sky are showing Golovkin vs Proska.

A fight I can't wait to see.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Sky are showing Golovkin vs Proska.

A fight I can't wait to see.

You sure? I can't see it listed on their schedule. If it's not on over here then it is a huge shame.

[whiskey]

Sky are showing Golovkin vs Proska.

A fight I can't wait to see.

You sure? I can't see it listed on their schedule. If it's not on over here then it is a huge shame.

Sunday morning 8.30 sky sports 4 HD sept 2nd.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Ah, so no one is showing it live? :(