Golden Boy to promote in the UK

[chad]

Source SKY Sports:

Golden Boy promotions will apply for a licence to promote fights in Great Britain and hope to add to their stock of British fighters.

The American company, which promotes Amir Khan, is planning to sign up some of the fighters which represented Great Britain at the London Olympics.

Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer told The Times: "We want to sign up some of those fighters who represented Britain at the Olympics.

"It would not necessarily be those who won medals and we want those fighters with the right talent and charisma.

"I will be spending a lot of time in the UK and I would personally take these fighters under my wing and nurture them, which is something I have not done before.

"The idea will be to showcase them here in the US as well and we would put on four fights a year in the UK with them and four in the US. We would hope to stage our first show in the UK in the second quarter of 2013."

[Bennyblanco]

Has amir Kahn's brother fought as a pro yet? Could imagine them getting him on board

[jtourettes]

I wonder what Brit prospects they'll get knocked out through premature/stupid matchmaking?

[btahthezone]

Least GBP test their prospects. Our prospects are help back and not natured into the talent they could be. For a prospect GBP would be the best option. I can see Cleverley moving over to GBP to be honest. Antony Agogo is defiantly going to go to GBP

[Tarquin Tarpaulin IV]

Ogogo has signed....

[Ratchet Exits Nu]

Gbp match them tough. It's the Hennessy sports way also.

We should watch and pay for fights and not one sided beating over poor opposition.

[stujones]

One of the early criticisms of Golden boy was how they under matched their prospects - I am pleased they are changing their views on this.

This could change the landscape of British boxing quite significantly - unless of course they work as partners to other promoters..... if they do work as partners who will they join (having previously had good working relationships with Hatton promotions and Khan).

[Lenny]

Who are going to be their headliners?

[sweetscience]

What about tv?

Think sky will have to take them as they could stop them having there big US shows

The Matchroom monopoly clearly isn't working

[The Law]

What about tv?

Think sky will have to take them as they could stop them having there big US shows

The Matchroom monopoly clearly isn't working

B*allegedly claim to have first refusal on all HBO shows from the states. If that is true then it is likely that B*allegedly will also have first refusal on UK shows.

[pyenest77]

What about tv?

Think sky will have to take them as they could stop them having there big US shows

The Matchroom monopoly clearly isn't working

B*allegedly claim to have first refusal on all HBO shows from the states. If that is true then it is likely that B*allegedly will also have first refusal on UK shows.

Lets hope so. Recently BN have not had their promised 2 shows a week so maybe this will give them the abilty to do a couple a week.

[jtourettes]

What about tv?

Think sky will have to take them as they could stop them having there big US shows

The Matchroom monopoly clearly isn't working

B*allegedly claim to have first refusal on all HBO shows from the states. If that is true then it is likely that B*allegedly will also have first refusal on UK shows.

I thought GBp had defected to Showtime now?

[jtourettes]

Gbp match them tough. It's the Hennessy sports way also.

We should watch and pay for fights and not one sided beating over poor opposition.

There's a fine line between matching tough and matching stupid.

[iamasadlittleboy]

One of the early criticisms of Golden boy was how they under matched their prospects - I am pleased they are changing their views on this.

This could change the landscape of British boxing quite significantly - unless of course they work as partners to other promoters..... if they do work as partners who will they join (having previously had good working relationships with Hatton promotions and Khan).

I'll be honest my problem with GBP is that they under-match then make them leap up rather than step up. The learning curve needs to be a smooth one but GBP often have them leaping from C to B+ (Jacobs going from Ishe Smith to Dmitry Pirog, or Mitchell going from Chazz Witherspoon to Jonathan Banks).

Look at the likes of Deontay Wilder as a prime example of an under-matched prospect, yet to fight anyone who had a pulse despite being a pro for 4 years and with 26 fights.

Omar Figueroa's 20th fight was against a guy who hadn't been in the ring for 2 years and had lost 3 of his previous 5 over 2 years...

They are pushing their top youngsters wonderfully (Santa Cruz, Mares, Thurman) but a number of others aren't being given the developmental fights that they need.

[The Law]

What about tv?

Think sky will have to take them as they could stop them having there big US shows

The Matchroom monopoly clearly isn't working

B*allegedly claim to have first refusal on all HBO shows from the states. If that is true then it is likely that B*allegedly will also have first refusal on UK shows.

I thought GBp had defected to Showtime now?

That's a good point. Most GBP shows have been on Showtime since summer 2012. However, I'm not sure if they have an exclusivity deal with Showtime. Either way GBP should be open to hold a contract with any UK TV network. Sky/B*allegedly will be the main contenders .... unless GBP start their own TV channel

[Jack B]

B*allegedly claim to have first refusal on all HBO shows from the states. If that is true then it is likely that B*allegedly will also have first refusal on UK shows.

I thought GBp had defected to Showtime now?

That's a good point. Most GBP shows have been on Showtime since summer 2012. However, I'm not sure if they have an exclusivity deal with Showtime. Either way GBP should be open to hold a contract with any UK TV network. Sky/B*allegedly will be the main contenders .... unless GBP start their own TV channel

When it comes to TV I think GBP will have plenty of options - the biggest promoters in world boxing combined with the most recognisable names in British boxing (Khan + London 2012 Olympians) will generate interest from broadcasters.

Terrestrial - a definite possibility. Channel 5 have shown an increased interest in the last 18 months, going from a one-off fight to having a decent stable of fighters through Hennessy. They could well want to strengthen their brand link with boxing - having the Olympians would be a great way of doing this.

I also wouldn't rule out the BBC or ITV being interested. Both have done it before after successful Olympics and characters like Joshua, Ogogo etc. have the potential to become household names. They could well buy into that - especially with the carrot of having bigger GBP names involved.

BT Sport - this is a HUGE possibility. They are buying sports rights left, right and centre (Premier League, Premiership Rugby etc.) and are setting up next year. Getting the biggest names in boxing on board would be another feather in their cap and another way to rival Sky Sports.

Sky Sports - can't see it happening. They will stay loyal to the Matchroom contract. Clearly they were hoping to monopolise the British scene through 1 promoter - but Hearn hasn't been able to make this happen. I expect them to chug along for the next couple of years and then seriously consider their future in the sport afterwards.

ESPN - an outside chance. The key here is whether they will have any interest in UK TV now they've lost football and rugby. If they do, I imagine they'll be looking at niche sports, so boxing could well fit in. With the last Klitschko fight being shown, as well as Lee Haskins, the signs are that they might be keen.

BN - really depends on FW's strategy. What is his priority - his TV channel or his promotional company? Clearly, GBP running UK shows will affect FWP massively - but will he care about this if it increases BN subscriptions? The fact that he snapped up Maloney/Price and was desperate to get the Hatton fight would suggest his priorities are with broadcasting - which makes BN a runner.

Loaded TV - too new and niche to be a contender. Can't see them doing much else than lower level British title fights.

Any others - you tell me!

[stujones]

One of the early criticisms of Golden boy was how they under matched their prospects - I am pleased they are changing their views on this.

This could change the landscape of British boxing quite significantly - unless of course they work as partners to other promoters..... if they do work as partners who will they join (having previously had good working relationships with Hatton promotions and Khan).

I'll be honest my problem with GBP is that they under-match then make them leap up rather than step up. The learning curve needs to be a smooth one but GBP often have them leaping from C to B+ (Jacobs going from Ishe Smith to Dmitry Pirog, or Mitchell going from Chazz Witherspoon to Jonathan Banks).

Look at the likes of Deontay Wilder as a prime example of an under-matched prospect, yet to fight anyone who had a pulse despite being a pro for 4 years and with 26 fights.

Omar Figueroa's 20th fight was against a guy who hadn't been in the ring for 2 years and had lost 3 of his previous 5 over 2 years...

They are pushing their top youngsters wonderfully (Santa Cruz, Mares, Thurman) but a number of others aren't being given the developmental fights that they need.

Yes, I do agree with this. However, not sure I agree with your example for Seth Mitchell

Is Jonathan Banks a B+ level heavyweight before his win over Mitchell. A small (IMO) cruiserweight who got done by Adamek, he jumped to heavyweight fought some of the most dire opposition I have ever seen a "contender" has faced at heavyweight and has looked poor - including a draw against a complete nobody.

It might have been conceivable that Witherspoon would have given Banks his hardest fight at heavyweight - Chazz certainly has a better record than most of Banks' opponents. Also GBP might have seen how Mitchell struggled with Chazz and kind of no longer class him as someone they wish to nuture.

Agree with the Smith and Pirog analogy. Although Smith is an awkward one - on his good day he is a possible a geniune threat for those in the lower half of the top ten (as can be seen by how many people are giving him a live chance against Bunderage).

[whiteboy]

didn't they say this 2/3 years ago??

[jBacca]

Ogogo has signed....

Defo? I don't think he's gonna' do too much in the pros.

[DavidPayne]

One of the early criticisms of Golden boy was how they under matched their prospects - I am pleased they are changing their views on this.

This could change the landscape of British boxing quite significantly - unless of course they work as partners to other promoters..... if they do work as partners who will they join (having previously had good working relationships with Hatton promotions and Khan).

I'll be honest my problem with GBP is that they under-match then make them leap up rather than step up. The learning curve needs to be a smooth one but GBP often have them leaping from C to B+ (Jacobs going from Ishe Smith to Dmitry Pirog, or Mitchell going from Chazz Witherspoon to Jonathan Banks).

Look at the likes of Deontay Wilder as a prime example of an under-matched prospect, yet to fight anyone who had a pulse despite being a pro for 4 years and with 26 fights.

Omar Figueroa's 20th fight was against a guy who hadn't been in the ring for 2 years and had lost 3 of his previous 5 over 2 years...

They are pushing their top youngsters wonderfully (Santa Cruz, Mares, Thurman) but a number of others aren't being given the developmental fights that they need.

Leap from Chaz to Banks wasn't that big, the truth was, Mitchell was over-rated because of his aesthetics and aggressive style. Banks is just a shrewd, experienced guy that Mitchell should have been able to overcome if his effusive prologue was to be lived up to - but he lacked the talent to adapt.

[stujones]

Primetime? Maybe a cheaper PPV or Free to Air if it fits in with a big US bill. Remember Primetime and GBP have worked together on a UK production and GBP did thank primetime for saving the show and wanted to work with them in the future.

[CharlieW]

This is because they want a piece of the pie for the Khan vs Brook fight !!

Remember Kell Brook is fighting Devon Alexander (a goldenboy fighter) on a Goldenboy show, so the links between Matchroom and Goldenboy will be made. The fight will be a massive unification fight in the UK (when Brook hopefully wins and Khan gets a world title back). The fued started not long ago on Ringside tv programme.

Hope all goes well as whateva happens its good exposure for UK fighters in US and thats where the moneys made.

@charlie_whitman

[gobbles]

Who are going to be their headliners?

They said they will putting on big name US fighters as the headliners.
Will be interesting if their CBS shows continue, as they showed Leo Santa Cruz at 1.30pm in California, which would be 9.30pm here. So would be an ideal fit for US TV and British TV.

They gave away the tickets to the CBS portion of the show in LA, so if they could get a paying audience in the UK, they could stage a decent name fight for the US market who would get the interest of British fans, plus show off their Olympic prospects, plus work with a promoter who doesn't have TV to get some ticket sellers on the undercard, 4 times a year, they could stage it at a pretty big arena.

[whiskey]

Co-owner of GBP uk is Amir Khan

Who hopes to sign all the Olympic talent.

[Alba]

Co-owner of GBP uk is Amir Khan

Who hopes to sign all the Olympic talent.

thought he was doing one with Clinton Woods old promotor? and signed the irish amatuer -who then changed his mind .