Magee-Froch moved to London

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 10 Mar 2006, 06:59

Maloney Promotions Press Release

After great consideration and deliberation with boxing people and Team Magee, Maloney Promotions have today decided to move the classic British and Commonwealth Super-middleweight title fight between Carl Froch the champion and Brian Magee to the home of British boxing the atmospheric York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, this is a venue where many titles have been won and lost and reputations lost and gained, including fighters such as Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Lennox Lewis

This decision wasn't taken lightly, Frank Maloney saying "Belfast boxing is like the London buses you wait ages for one and then two or three come along at once." It was taken as a business decision and as a consideration to the Belfast boxing fans. One of the main reasons behind this decision was because Sports Network are to run a show at the same Kings Hall venue six days before featuring the WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison.

Frank who manages Scott believes it could be a conflict of interests as he would have to spend a week promoting Harrison and not mentioning Magee-Froch thus leaving him only six days to promote the mega fight. Maloney took the decision that it would harm both promotions as it would split the Belfast public down the middle.

Team Magee are also of the opinion that regretable it would be very hard to hold a fight of this magnitude in Belfast on that date and although it's with much regret that Brian will be losing the home advantage he still believes his fans will follow him to London and cheer him on to victory. Magee knows the York Hall well as he has boxed there when he was managed by Frank Maloney and Panix Promotions so it will not be an alien venue to him,

Another venue that was mentioned was Nottingham this being the home town of champion Carl Froch the promoter knew this could have broken records for a fight at Nottingham but because of Maloney's allegience to Brian and Team Magee it was thought that London was a better venue with it's history and unique atmosphere.

Frank made a cheeky remark saying "At least you gents will get to see the boxing and you'll be able to bring your wives and keep them happy by letting them going shopping in London"

Maloney has promised Magee that there will be an Irish atmosphere to the East London venue on the 26th May.

The one thing that the Belfast public can be assured of is that when Brian wins the titles his first defence will be in his home city.

Tickets for this great clash at the historic East London venue can be purchased online at http://www.maloneypromotions.com or via the ticket hotline on 0871 221 1508 and are priced at £70 ringside and £35 standard.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 10 Mar 2006, 08:29

So you have an Irishman and a Nottingham fighter to fight in London. Seems like a strange one, although I can understand the reasoning (with Guzman and Harrison on the week before).

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 10 Mar 2006, 10:52

Why on earth is Harrison v Guzman in Belfast thats the question. Obviously the Braehead Arena (or whatever you call it) is booked on the date in question but surely there's better places than Belfast to have the fight? No offence intended to anyone from Belfast but I am talking in terms of bums on seats here. I cant see Harrison v Guzman in Belfast doing big numbers.

johnswan1 · Post by **johnswan1** » 10 Mar 2006, 11:21

Great stuff, I'll definitely be going to this to cheer Brian on.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 10 Mar 2006, 12:16

nickd wrote:Why on earth is Harrison v Guzman in Belfast thats the question. Obviously the Braehead Arena (or whatever you call it) is booked on the date in question but surely there's better places than Belfast to have the fight? No offence intended to anyone from Belfast but I am talking in terms of bums on seats here. I cant see Harrison v Guzman in Belfast doing big numbers.

Neither can I. Irish fans turn out to see their own fighters, and I don't see Harrison as a massive draw in Northern Ireland unless he's getting the proddy support, I don't know his religion and I'm not interested, just wondering whether that might be a factor as there's a lot of Scottish descendents in Northern Ireland.

The Hawk · Post by **The Hawk** » 10 Mar 2006, 13:54

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
nickd wrote:Why on earth is Harrison v Guzman in Belfast thats the question. Obviously the Braehead Arena (or whatever you call it) is booked on the date in question but surely there's better places than Belfast to have the fight? No offence intended to anyone from Belfast but I am talking in terms of bums on seats here. I cant see Harrison v Guzman in Belfast doing big numbers.
Neither can I. Irish fans turn out to see their own fighters, and I don't see Harrison as a massive draw in Northern Ireland unless he's getting the proddy support, I don't know his religion and I'm not interested, just wondering whether that might be a factor as there's a lot of Scottish descendents in Northern Ireland.

I have a feeling that'll it'll do very well in Belfast, once word gets around that its a "World title"

be it WBO or not, Harrison will be known by a lot for beating McCullough and I can't see religion being brought into it, thats one thing that brought people together at the Kings Hall during the troubles of the 1980's in Northern Ireland, Boxing! and it was Barry McGuigan and no-body cared what religion Barry McGuigan was. This is they type of card that should bring the Boxing fan's of Northern Ireland out, not just Belfast. Its a quality card and word will spread fast in such a small country and you put Amir Khan's name on it and its a winner for sure. I'm sure there'll be bus runs from Glasgow for the Scottish fans as there was from Belfast when Wayne fought Harrison.

Anyway, I hope I'm right as I for one am very pleased to see this being held only 4 miles from my house

.....I have wanted to see Harrison Vs Guzman fight for the last couple of years. Fantastic news!

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 10 Mar 2006, 13:56

There must be a good reason to have the fight there. Surely though there are other arenas in Scotland or at a push the Telewest Arena in Newcastle is not that much of a trek from Glasgow compared to Belfast!

Chesney_Chambers · Post by **Chesney_Chambers** » 10 Mar 2006, 14:01

The Hawk wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
nickd wrote:Why on earth is Harrison v Guzman in Belfast thats the question. Obviously the Braehead Arena (or whatever you call it) is booked on the date in question but surely there's better places than Belfast to have the fight? No offence intended to anyone from Belfast but I am talking in terms of bums on seats here. I cant see Harrison v Guzman in Belfast doing big numbers.
Neither can I. Irish fans turn out to see their own fighters, and I don't see Harrison as a massive draw in Northern Ireland unless he's getting the proddy support, I don't know his religion and I'm not interested, just wondering whether that might be a factor as there's a lot of Scottish descendents in Northern Ireland.
I have a feeling that'll it'll do very well in Belfast, once word gets around that its a "World title" be it WBO or not, Harrison will be known by a lot for beating McCullough and I can't see religion being brought into it, thats one thing that brought people together at the Kings Hall during the troubles of the 1980's in Northern Ireland, Boxing! and it was Barry McGuigan and no-body cared what religion Barry McGuigan was. This is they type of card that should bring the Boxing fan's of Northern Ireland out, not just Belfast. Its a quality card and word will spread fast in such a small country and you put Amir Khan's name on it and its a winner for sure. I'm sure there'll be bus runs from Glasgow for the Scottish fans as there was from Belfast when Wayne fought Harrison.

Anyway, I hope I'm right as I for one am very pleased to see this being held only 4 miles from my house .....I have wanted to see Harrison Vs Guzman fight for the last couple of years. Fantastic news!

Eamon Magee Vs Takaloo should shift some tickets as well

The Hawk · Post by **The Hawk** » 10 Mar 2006, 14:05

Chesney_Chambers wrote:
The Hawk wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote: Neither can I. Irish fans turn out to see their own fighters, and I don't see Harrison as a massive draw in Northern Ireland unless he's getting the proddy support, I don't know his religion and I'm not interested, just wondering whether that might be a factor as there's a lot of Scottish descendents in Northern Ireland.
I have a feeling that'll it'll do very well in Belfast, once word gets around that its a "World title" be it WBO or not, Harrison will be known by a lot for beating McCullough and I can't see religion being brought into it, thats one thing that brought people together at the Kings Hall during the troubles of the 1980's in Northern Ireland, Boxing! and it was Barry McGuigan and no-body cared what religion Barry McGuigan was. This is they type of card that should bring the Boxing fan's of Northern Ireland out, not just Belfast. Its a quality card and word will spread fast in such a small country and you put Amir Khan's name on it and its a winner for sure. I'm sure there'll be bus runs from Glasgow for the Scottish fans as there was from Belfast when Wayne fought Harrison.

Anyway, I hope I'm right as I for one am very pleased to see this being held only 4 miles from my house .....I have wanted to see Harrison Vs Guzman fight for the last couple of years. Fantastic news!
Eamon Magee Vs Takaloo should shift some tickets as well

Yes thats true, I ment to have said that, its another quality match up, although to be honest theres as much people will turn up to see Magee get beat as there will be to see him win

either way it draws ticket sales

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 10 Mar 2006, 16:08

The froch one will be interesting in the light of recent events aswell. If Calzaghe leaves the SM devision there aren't that many people around. If he stays we can see where the other two are in comparison. couple with that Froch's disapointing recent showing and we have a whole load of variables.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 10 Mar 2006, 19:30

The Hawk wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
nickd wrote:Why on earth is Harrison v Guzman in Belfast thats the question. Obviously the Braehead Arena (or whatever you call it) is booked on the date in question but surely there's better places than Belfast to have the fight? No offence intended to anyone from Belfast but I am talking in terms of bums on seats here. I cant see Harrison v Guzman in Belfast doing big numbers.
Neither can I. Irish fans turn out to see their own fighters, and I don't see Harrison as a massive draw in Northern Ireland unless he's getting the proddy support, I don't know his religion and I'm not interested, just wondering whether that might be a factor as there's a lot of Scottish descendents in Northern Ireland.
I have a feeling that'll it'll do very well in Belfast, once word gets around that its a "World title" be it WBO or not, Harrison will be known by a lot for beating McCullough and I can't see religion being brought into it, thats one thing that brought people together at the Kings Hall during the troubles of the 1980's in Northern Ireland, Boxing! and it was Barry McGuigan and no-body cared what religion Barry McGuigan was. This is they type of card that should bring the Boxing fan's of Northern Ireland out, not just Belfast. Its a quality card and word will spread fast in such a small country and you put Amir Khan's name on it and its a winner for sure. I'm sure there'll be bus runs from Glasgow for the Scottish fans as there was from Belfast when Wayne fought Harrison.

Anyway, I hope I'm right as I for one am very pleased to see this being held only 4 miles from my house .....I have wanted to see Harrison Vs Guzman fight for the last couple of years. Fantastic news!

I wasn't suggesting the fight be billed as some sort of clash across the sectarian divide, I was suggesting that being a jock might get Harrison some support in Northern Ireland.

I was under the impression that boxing wasn't so big in Belfast from talking to my uncle patsy from Armagh, but he's a bit of an old boy, well, put it this way, he was old enough to watch Archie Moore v Yolande Pompey at the Haringey Arena.

one who knows · Post by **one who knows** » 11 Mar 2006, 03:21

Everyone knows why snw have taken this show to Belfast, A week before a former worker of theirs is to run a show which was all ready booked, But in boxing money rules and power is god. Snw have both. The parting of the ways were on good terms, Please you know no one leaves snw, Look at Hatton will they leave him alone. Behind the scenes all that loveydovey talk of i love you franks and all that respect for each other is a farce. Snw only want to be the one game in town, a number of their employees believe that they walk on water and are untouchable, one in particular the suntanned matchmaker!It's a wise decision by maloneys to move their show, lets all support them, boxing needs more than one promoting firm, competition is good for the sport, keep up your independance ricky hatton and keep going maloney promtions!"

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 11 Mar 2006, 05:22

Don't think you're far wrong there. SN take rejection about as well as Glen Close in fatal attraction. You could say Frank is a bit like Jason in friday 13th - you think he's finished ( court rulings against him, bankruptcy, a shooting ) and suddenly he rears up to finish you off - allegedly

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Mar 2006, 08:23

Yup must say, it does smack of a little nudge out of the way from SN. Frank likes being top dog, I don't even think it's about the money for him, it's about being number 1, something he has managed for about as long as I can remember now. A lot of other promotional outfits have come and gone.

What if Maloney had stuck to his guns? Surely Magee being a man from the area could have sold tickets, surely more than he will sell at the York Hall, I mean what's the maximum capacity of the York Hall with the upstairs balcony.

Missed opportunity? Who knows.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 11 Mar 2006, 16:37

Maloney is still Scott Harrison's manager, right? So surely he had some input into arranging the Scott Harrison fight - perhaps he thought it was more important Scott not getting stripped than the Froch vs Magee fight.