Hobson and Hennessy

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 06 Feb 2006, 06:34

Boxing: Hobson's hat trick Feb 3 2006

By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MARK HOBSON is in line for a quickfire hat trick - thanks to a new boxing management deal.
The British and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion from Huddersfield didn't have a single fight during a frustrating 2005.

But the 29-year-old is due in the ring three times in the next five months if a proposed link-up with Hennessy Sports comes off.

Any deal between Hobson and the Essex firm would have positive spin-off effects for his stablemates Dale Robinson and James Hare.

In the past, the title-winning trio have all been managed by Glasgow's Tommy Gilmour, but those deals are up within months.

First on the agenda for Lindley's Hobson is a six-round warm-up at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday, February 17.

That fight, against a yet to be confirmed opponent, will be part of a show being put together to prepare Nottingham super-middleweight Carl Froch for his forthcoming British and Commonwealth title clash with Belfast's Brian Magee.

If all goes well, Hobson will defend his Commonwealth belt on a Sky show in Huddersfield in April.
Then, in another mandatory defence, he will put his British crown on the line by June.

"We've had productive talks with Mick Hennessy, and while things hinge on a handshake at the moment, there's no reason why the deal won't go through if everything goes smoothly later this month," said Chris Aston, who trains Hobson, Robinson and Hare at the Northern Fitness gym in Linthwaite.
"It's fair to say things haven't gone as we would have wished with Tommy Gilmour over the last 18 months or so. We would prefer to have been busier.

"With the contracts coming up for renewal, it was an obvious time to review things.

"Hennessy Sports have contacts in the USA and Canada, and that could open up some exciting new avenues."

Hobson, currently sparring with top heavyweight Matt Skelton, twice missed out on a tasty British title clash with David Haye last year.

First Haye, who has since won the European crown, withdrew injured, then Hobson suffered shingles.

Robinson has returned to flyweight after losing out on points to Martin Power in a British bantamweight title clash in London last May.

Welterweight Hare, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, won both his fights in 2005.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 07 Feb 2006, 10:29

Never sure if these things are true or just a negotiating tool. In fairness I could understand why Hobson would do it, he should have got the european shot befor haye with him being the british champion he would have also stood a good chance. He is a difficult fighter to go in against and a lot to the european guys (I don't believe Haye) would loose to him.

Hennessy gets good fighters good fights lets hope he can do so with Haye.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 08 Feb 2006, 08:28

This is an odd one for me. Why go to the one Promoter who has nothing to offer him. MH has very little TV, is unpopular with Sky executives and has no chance whatsoever with ITV. Furthermore he has no cruiserweights and no foothold on any easily available title chance for Hobson.

Big Brother Promotions (The Maloney's) have Haye as European Champion and Sports Network have Maccarinelli, Nelson, the WBU and WBO titles and EBU # 1 Cantatore well tied up. DK has the others and will only work in the UK with SN, thus leaving MH with very little to offer and no real prospects worthy of a British title challenge to keep him busy.

Hobson, say's he was offered alternative deals but wanted to "Stay loyal to Sky Sports" WTF is all that about? Loyal to SS, when have they wanted to put him on other than against Haye? Haye was getting more cash than him as a challenger and even leapfrogged him to the EBU #1 slot (How that happened is a scandal in itself).

The whole deal is very odd and Hobbo should take a close look at his managers and ask why he is being shunted around in such a poor fashion. He's not a bad fighter after all, so why the inactivity?

As for his loyalty to Sky Sports, does he not realise that if SS wanted him so much, his money grabbing greedy bastard of a Manager, Tommy Gilmour (There I go again), would have had him out at every opportunity but alas he has sat on his arse for months, loyalty has to work both way's. It appears Gilmour is getting the push when the real problem lies with the people he say's he is staying loyal to. Is Hobson deluded or what?

Mark Hobson is in a position to fight the winner of Nelson V Maccarinelli and be the European # 1. Still though he holds two titles that the others are just skating around and picking up better paydays and oppotunities in the process. He must feel like a pork sausage at a barmitzvah (Excuse the spelling)

Maloney and Warren will NEVER work with Hennessy, so his options are pretty limited IMO. Why has he not gone to Warren or even Maloney at least they have something to offer after being let down by Gilmour and Matchroom.

If ever there was a boxer pissing in the wind Hobson is it.

Robinson and Hare are the additional baggage for any Hobson deal but again it's hard to see a way back for these two under the Hennessy banner.

For once, I am baffled and thge logic escapes me!

J · Post by J » 08 Feb 2006, 08:47

nice post and understand your point I may not have been quite so vitriolic in places .
However one thing Maloney has worked with hennessey, Danny hunt vs lee meager but I guess we know what happened there and it is likely they wont be working together again but its unlikley Hennessey will ask to work with them after that fight.
I was ringside and meager won by a couple of rounds in a good fight I have to say.

Its a shame all inolvolved cant put their egos and petty fueds aside and work towards what is best for the boxers, the fans and the sport.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 08 Feb 2006, 09:04

It is to the great detriment of boxing that on the whole rival promoters don't work together more often, countless great matchups never happen because every promoter sees most other promoters as deadly rivals. I guess that will always be the case when all the promoters are competing to sign the best available talent.

As J points out, the Hunt v Meager fight was an Sports Network promoted Card, and Maloney was involved as a manager.

Hennessy was clearly unhappy with the result going the way of the SN fighter, and like J i thought that meager won fairly handily, I had it by 3 rounds I think. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a robbery, but I thought Meager the clear winner.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 08 Feb 2006, 09:11

Firstly, to clarify. Danny Hunt and Lee Meager was won by a purse offer by Warren so Hennessy had no choice but accept the fight or withdraw his fighter. Danny Hunt was managed by Frank Maloney. Frank Maloney and Hennesssy do not get on FACT from their day's at 'Zorba the Thief's' office.

They would not work together.

And I agree, Meager clearly won the fight but that had more to do with the poor Referee than the Promoters and or Managers involved. Thta Referee would have been appointed whoever the winning purse offer was from I assume.

Surely the purse offer system is put in place to ensure these fights get made and ego's don't get in the way.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 08 Feb 2006, 09:14

Personally, I am a Hobson fan and alway's liked James Hare but now I think he's best days are gone. I had a slight fancy that Hobson may trip Haye up but now we will, probably, never know.

Doesn't his manager post on here, perhaps he can give us some insight as to this strange decision.

J · Post by J » 08 Feb 2006, 09:16

ok that clears up why they worked together but the fact is they still did, so why not break new ground, think outside the box and do whats best for all involved and get the best fighters to fight the best available opposition irrespective of politics.

by the way thats a rhetorical question and i know its idealistic but surely one day its gottahappen as boxing becomes more marginalised by other sports and indee sports such as UFC etc etc, which personally I can only watch ten mins of. But undoutedly its eating into boxing's market.

It just pains me as a fan to see match ups we all want to see go by the by thats all, just making provocative comment and not attacking anyone here.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 08 Feb 2006, 09:21

It will never happen as they are not just rivals in sports but also business.

No different to Pepsi-Coke, Burger-King- Maccy D's etc etc etc

Anyway, that's enough of my diet.

jimmy from the green · Post by **jimmy from the green** » 08 Feb 2006, 09:21

boxingchat wrote:This is an odd one for me. Why go to the one Promoter who has nothing to offer him. MH has very little TV, is unpopular with Sky executives and has no chance whatsoever with ITV. Furthermore he has no cruiserweights and no foothold on any easily available title chance for Hobson.

Big Brother Promotions (The Maloney's) have Haye as European Champion and Sports Network have Maccarinelli, Nelson, the WBU and WBO titles and EBU # 1 Cantatore well tied up. DK has the others and will only work in the UK with SN, thus leaving MH with very little to offer and no real prospects worthy of a British title challenge to keep him busy.

Hobson, say's he was offered alternative deals but wanted to "Stay loyal to Sky Sports" WTF is all that about? Loyal to SS, when have they wanted to put him on other than against Haye? Haye was getting more cash than him as a challenger and even leapfrogged him to the EBU #1 slot (How that happened is a scandal in itself).

The whole deal is very odd and Hobbo should take a close look at his managers and ask why he is being shunted around in such a poor fashion. He's not a bad fighter after all, so why the inactivity?

As for his loyalty to Sky Sports, does he not realise that if SS wanted him so much, his money grabbing greedy bastard of a Manager, Tommy Gilmour (There I go again), would have had him out at every opportunity but alas he has sat on his arse for months, loyalty has to work both way's. It appears Gilmour is getting the push when the real problem lies with the people he say's he is staying loyal to. Is Hobson deluded or what?

Mark Hobson is in a position to fight the winner of Nelson V Maccarinelli and be the European # 1. Still though he holds two titles that the others are just skating around and picking up better paydays and oppotunities in the process. He must feel like a pork sausage at a barmitzvah (Excuse the spelling)

Maloney and Warren will NEVER work with Hennessy, so his options are pretty limited IMO. Why has he not gone to Warren or even Maloney at least they have something to offer after being let down by Gilmour and Matchroom.

If ever there was a boxer pissing in the wind Hobson is it.

Robinson and Hare are the additional baggage for any Hobson deal but again it's hard to see a way back for these two under the Hennessy banner.

For once, I am baffled and thge logic escapes me!

Boxing chat,

When/where did Hobson say he wants to stay loyal to Sky?
As if Mark would be in line to fight the winner of Nelson/Macc - has Warren offerd Mark a deal? you should know.....
Haye wants nothing to do with Mark as he only fights shot/un-heard of boxers so why go with Maloneys?

It boils down to who offers the most money and regular fights - Mark is in his prime now and needs to get work. Hennessy probably offered him the best financial deal - end of story. Mark doesnt want the fornicating WBU title when hes got the british and commonwealth belts.

Is this just sour grapes from Sports Network...ITV would love Mark Hobson. Come on they just showed Jennings v Muttley didnt they?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 08 Feb 2006, 09:25

boxingchat wrote:Firstly, to clarify. Danny Hunt and Lee Meager was won by a purse offer by Warren so Hennessy had no choice but accept the fight or withdraw his fighter. Danny Hunt was managed by Frank Maloney. Frank Maloney and Hennesssy do not get on FACT from their day's at 'Zorba the Thief's' office.

They would not work together.

And I agree, Meager clearly won the fight but that had more to do with the poor Referee than the Promoters and or Managers involved. Thta Referee would have been appointed whoever the winning purse offer was from I assume.

Surely the purse offer system is put in place to ensure these fights get made and ego's don't get in the way.

I presume you are referring to Panos Eliades there?

Of course where purse bids are involved that's correct, but what about other matchups where there is no title on the line, the fact is if there are two decent prospects managed by rival promoters, chances are they won't fight one another.

I understand entirely why one promoter wouldn't want to give a leg up to a rival promoter or his fighters, because it's not in their interests to aid their competition who do after all compete to sign fighters to their stables.

However, that's by the by, it does harm the sport without a doubt.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 08 Feb 2006, 09:43

jimmy from the green wrote:
boxingchat wrote:This is an odd one for me. Why go to the one Promoter who has nothing to offer him. MH has very little TV, is unpopular with Sky executives and has no chance whatsoever with ITV. Furthermore he has no cruiserweights and no foothold on any easily available title chance for Hobson.

Big Brother Promotions (The Maloney's) have Haye as European Champion and Sports Network have Maccarinelli, Nelson, the WBU and WBO titles and EBU # 1 Cantatore well tied up. DK has the others and will only work in the UK with SN, thus leaving MH with very little to offer and no real prospects worthy of a British title challenge to keep him busy.

Hobson, say's he was offered alternative deals but wanted to "Stay loyal to Sky Sports" WTF is all that about? Loyal to SS, when have they wanted to put him on other than against Haye? Haye was getting more cash than him as a challenger and even leapfrogged him to the EBU #1 slot (How that happened is a scandal in itself).

The whole deal is very odd and Hobbo should take a close look at his managers and ask why he is being shunted around in such a poor fashion. He's not a bad fighter after all, so why the inactivity?

As for his loyalty to Sky Sports, does he not realise that if SS wanted him so much, his money grabbing greedy bastard of a Manager, Tommy Gilmour (There I go again), would have had him out at every opportunity but alas he has sat on his arse for months, loyalty has to work both way's. It appears Gilmour is getting the push when the real problem lies with the people he say's he is staying loyal to. Is Hobson deluded or what?

Mark Hobson is in a position to fight the winner of Nelson V Maccarinelli and be the European # 1. Still though he holds two titles that the others are just skating around and picking up better paydays and oppotunities in the process. He must feel like a pork sausage at a barmitzvah (Excuse the spelling)

Maloney and Warren will NEVER work with Hennessy, so his options are pretty limited IMO. Why has he not gone to Warren or even Maloney at least they have something to offer after being let down by Gilmour and Matchroom.

If ever there was a boxer pissing in the wind Hobson is it.

Robinson and Hare are the additional baggage for any Hobson deal but again it's hard to see a way back for these two under the Hennessy banner.

For once, I am baffled and thge logic escapes me!

Boxing chat,

When/where did Hobson say he wants to stay loyal to Sky?
As if Mark would be in line to fight the winner of Nelson/Macc - has Warren offerd Mark a deal? you should know.....
Haye wants nothing to do with Mark as he only fights shot/un-heard of boxers so why go with Maloneys?

It boils down to who offers the most money and regular fights - Mark is in his prime now and needs to get work. Hennessy probably offered him the best financial deal - end of story. Mark doesnt want the fornicating WBU title when hes got the british and commonwealth belts.

Is this just sour grapes from Sports Network...ITV would love Mark Hobson. Come on they just showed Jennings v Muttley didnt they?

You seem to be missing my point and creating an argument whilst seemingly agreeing with me and me with you.

Hobson said that in Boxing News last week and it was a very odd statement. I agree with the Haye comment wholeheartedly and fancied Hobson (A little) to turn him over. Haye is from the Audley Harrison mould and will take no risks and Maloney will try guide him through a weak field to some success until, I fear the Vera get's exposed again.

The WBU title? Granted, but titles, any title, means nothing, it's the fighters who actually hold them that mean something and generate the cash. Maccarinelli, either as WBU or WBO champion or, as a challenger for the British and Commonwealth titles would be a big fight for Hobson and also provide him with a big-payday as would Johnny Nelson.

My point was, Hennessy cannot deliver a marquee fighter for Hobson and has no TV deal to keep him as busy as he should be. Froch is his main priority and he can't keep him busy without TV so what chance does Hobson have.

As for Warren offering him a deal, I don't know if he has, but I flip the coin over and ask whether he approached them to ask for one? I am sure if he did he would be pleasantly surprised and would be kept busy and be given a concrete game plan whilst making some decent money along the way wirth the added bonus of not having Gilmour dipping his pockets for his ?% when he does actually get him work.

Another point is, due to his inactivity, a mandatory challnger will soon be nominated and the only candidates can be either Haye or the loser of Nelson V Maccarinelli. The Promoters of those guy's, armed with TV deals would blow Hennessy out of the water and end up with Hobson's services anyway.

With Haye obliged to fight Cantatore, that just leaves Nelson or Maccarinelli, again TV money comes into play.

All in all, we agree on the main points and perhaps Hobson shoud pick the phone up to ensure he IS actually getting the best deal out there. My hunch is that he is most definately not. But then again what would I know!

My T Sharp · Post by **My T Sharp** » 08 Feb 2006, 10:02

Surprising he didn't explore the SN route. I'm sure that Frank would have got him a fight with Enzo, if he is successful against Nelson.

jimmy from the green · Post by **jimmy from the green** » 08 Feb 2006, 10:05

boxing chat we are in agreement on some points: - I have a feeling the winner of Tommy Eastman and Dean Francis will be made Mandatory for the British.
When Macc Loses his next fight he will probably fight for the vacant WBU title disregarded by Johnny (If it is "on the line" when they box).
Herbie Hide could be a marquee fight for Hobson if he can make the weight or wants to fight again - although I think the chances of that are slim to none.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 08 Feb 2006, 11:12

jimmy from the green wrote:boxing chat we are in agreement on some points: - I have a feeling the winner of Tommy Eastman and Dean Francis will be made Mandatory for the British.
When Macc Loses his next fight he will probably fight for the vacant WBU title disregarded by Johnny (If it is "on the line" when they box).
Herbie Hide could be a marquee fight for Hobson if he can make the weight or wants to fight again - although I think the chances of that are slim to none.

Come On, just when I thought you were getting a grasp on the situation too. Hide does not even hold, a British licence has been inactive since B & W TV and hasn't made anywhere near Cruiserweight since hitting puberty.

Dean Francis, one fight in how many years? Don't be daft.

Marquee fight, Herbie Hide, do me a favour Jimbo!

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 08 Feb 2006, 11:25

boxingchat wrote:
Come On, just when I thought you were getting a grasp on the situation too. Hide does not even hold, a British licence has been inactive since B & W TV and hasn't made anywhere near Cruiserweight since hitting puberty.

Dean Francis, one fight in how many years? Don't be daft.

Marquee fight, Herbie Hide, do me a favour Jimbo!

There has been talk for a while that Hide was going to return as a Cruiser, but so far that is all its been, talk.
Dean Francis hasn't looked to bad since his return, his shoulder has held up well, will know if he has a chance after his next fight against Eastwood.

Outside of Haye and Thompson there isn't much for Hobson to go after on the British scene, maybe Hennessy will get him some work in the US, but i'm just guessing.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 08 Feb 2006, 11:31

I think Hide's career is over to all intents and purposes.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 08 Feb 2006, 12:52

boxingchat wrote: As for Warren offering him a deal, I don't know if he has, but I flip the coin over and ask whether he approached them to ask for one?

Maybe he's been on the phone to Wayne Alexander and thought better of it.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 08 Feb 2006, 13:42

MightyWarrior wrote:
boxingchat wrote: As for Warren offering him a deal, I don't know if he has, but I flip the coin over and ask whether he approached them to ask for one?
Maybe he's been on the phone to Wayne Alexander and thought better of it.

Perhap's if he is he would realise why he has been inactive and call them straight away.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Read your Bible, the bit about the Prodigal son