Are the promoters dropping the ball?

[stujones]

I know it has been discussed on various threads, but are Britain's promoters dropping the ball somewhat?

All I seem to be hearing by the TWO leading promoters is DAZN this, DAZN that, ESPN this, ESPN that, Showtime this, Showtime that.

The domestic bills are looking garbage. allegedly worked wonders to get BT on board domestically but seems to be very much negleting this side of things and focusing so much of his energy on one fighter. It was terrible that one of his few, geniune, world class, fighters on his stable had a recent world title fight that wasn't showcased on UK TV. I really cannot remember when the last time a UK fighter had a world title fight not shown on TV at all (even Froch vs Taylor was on delay on ITV).

But Hearn is no better, in fact worse. Hearn without mentioning the freaking DAZN word now (and that name and its pronounciation is a pet peeve) is rare - he is seen in America more so than UK. The UK bills seem to be going down the toilet as most of his fighters are seemingly fighting in the states.

Not that long ago the UK had more world champions than any other country and boxing was booming - yes spareheaded by Joshua but there were other names that could also fill arena's. But now the focus seems to have shifted to perhaps one or two names and then using these other fighters to fill undercards..... yes short term gain perhaps, but long term these guys are losing their name in the UK - fact is most "lay" boxing fans will not stay up till 2-3 am to watch Ricky Burns in an undercard fight - yet a big number would watch him fight Crolla at prime time in the UK.

I'm just wondering what people think - I am honestly thinking that this spreading of wings - by both Warren and Hearn, could jeopordise the popularity of boxing in the UK. Or do you think getting fighters recognised in the states will do their popularity good in the UK? For me, it did nothing to James DeGale's popularity.

All eggs seem to be in very few baskets, but its those on the crest of a world title - or world champions that need their profile extended is being neglected - Why hasn't Callum Smith capitalised on his world title?

[Ezzard]

Very underwhelmed this year so far. Almost all fights seem to be showcase fights.

Same for international too. Even the ones I thought might be competitive... Browne-Jack, Kov's rematch and Degale-CEJ were all one-sided.

I know boxing goes through cycles where fighters need to be built u for a few years... If AJ fought 3 times a year instead of twice...same for all the stars... But that would mess with them cycling the PEDs.

[JimStone]

They are not dropping the ball.

They are moving with the times. BT and Sky will both be dead in the water within a decade IMO. Streaming is where it's at and the American platforms will be where the money is.

[stujones]

At the expense of UK time zones and eventually uk ticket sales?

[JimStone]

At the expense of UK time zones and eventually uk ticket sales?

Three or four stadium fights a year in the UK would be enough over here for Eddie I reckon. Prospects can be brought along on small hall shows, and the undercards of those stadium fights and big US shows. And social media chat of course... Any more than a couple of big shows worldwide a month will be overkill theses days.

[liamlion]

Yes, absolutely the momentum has been lost.

The truth is, Eddie Hearn can’t be in two places at once. With Sky behind him, he’s made very good use of his UK boxing monopoly and has rejuvenated British boxing. Since he’s gone to America the fizz has gone.

His most recent IFL tv video shows him clearly explain that DAZN’s success in America is his priority.

Changing times domestically.

[JimStone]

Eddie has achieved all he can domestically in his line of work. Yes he is a money grubber and always will be but you can still get bored of the same old cat food even when it makes you a fortune. The DAZN thing is an interesting new adventure for him and now is the time to tackle it.

[rd350lc]

Great post , was only thinking myself today what poor start to the year ..
Can only hope it will get better soon but nothing on the horizon sets pulses racing .

[stujones]

I was wondering are channels like ifl, who do great things, also partly to blame. They do amazing things to raise the games profile...but obviously need to respond to "the masses " and they (and it's not just ifl) need to prioritise to talk about fighters who will get viewers for them....and it's mainly heavyweights.

I was thinking Liam Walsh , a true world class fighter, is struggling to get fights....if Hearn and Warren weren't as preoccupied with a few star names....and building that stateside profile.....im sure Walsh would be a useful addition.....almost like how Tommy Coyle was a few years back

[kbackup408]

I echo what JimStone said ^ promoters have now realised streaming is the way forward worrying times for Sky - they soon will only be a box office platform!

*just a heads up lads - yous all can access DAZN in the UK if you have a VPN !

[kbackup408]

I was wondering are channels like ifl, who do great things, also partly to blame. They do amazing things to raise the games profile...but obviously need to respond to "the masses " and they (and it's not just ifl) need to prioritise to talk about fighters who will get viewers for them....and it's mainly heavyweights.

I was thinking Liam Walsh , a true world class fighter, is struggling to get fights....if Hearn and Warren weren't as preoccupied with a few star names....and building that stateside profile.....im sure Walsh would be a useful addition.....almost like how Tommy Coyle was a few years back

IFL changed the game but it now is becoming a problem they interview the same 10 odd people (Hearn, Coldwell, Frank Smith etc) - I miss the old interview where they would interview boxers coming up

(also would like to mention not Kugan but the other fella on IFL gets on my nerves thinks he has cracked it his interviewing skills are garbage!)

[danconnollyeire]

At the expense of UK time zones and eventually uk ticket sales?

Three or four stadium fights a year in the UK would be enough over here for Eddie I reckon. Prospects can be brought along on small hall shows, and the undercards of those stadium fights and big US shows. And social media chat of course... Any more than a couple of big shows worldwide a month will be overkill theses days.

Eh? You think we're getting 3/4 stadium fights this year? Be lucky to have one. AJ's next fight after Miller won't be 'til Octoberish and may be in the states. No other fighter in the UK is stadium level

[dalcumly]

There are a number of issues here. First of all FW and Eddie Hearn have absolutely no time for each other and would do anything to bring the other financial pain. But that's not the main problem.
With British boxing showing promise in recent years in terms of monetary success the Americans saw the potential.
The Yanks have upped their game and FW and Hearn have saw the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. What surprises me is that Hearn hasn't sought to consolidate what he had. Instead he's taken the leap and gone for broke. FW seemed to be on the way out but he's a great survivor and with the attraction of Fury he's now back challenging.
However both promoters can only be successful if they can make the fights the fans will pay for. At the moment Fury has no fight arranged. It will be interesting to see how many people buy into Joshuas 5am fight with a nobody.
More importantly, having raised British level boxers financial expectations, they've now caused serious problems here as evidenced by the lack of top fights in the last 10 weeks or so.
Other promoters are being priced out by British boxers demanding too much for routine fights having heard how much money some have been making on undercards over the last few years.
Other than Fury and Joshua ALL other British boxers have to wake up and smell the coffee. It's better to take £20,000 or £30,000 three times a year than holding out for £100,000 and nobody willing to promote it.

[stujones]

And whilst I didn't like them at the time, mainly because I thought they were gearing up for more PPVs - which I was partially correct, I just feel we are losing the domestic grudges that can fill arena's. I hated fake grudges, but you know what I mean, in some cases they didn't need to slag off their mother - it was just a natural fit.

Fights likes Campbell vs Coyle, Crolla vs Burns and Smith vs Fielding..... they were "arena" sellers as main events - but it wasn't just their fights it was the nuturing fights to bring them to the main even and arena sellers that I feel we are missing and it won't happen if they are mainly fighting in the states.

I don't mean this to be about Liam Walsh, but Selby vs Walsh should have been an arena seller. Even without a world title baubble - that is an tough contest to call.... but these typical chief supports or small hall main eventers aren't getting the profile to be arena main eventers.

You can see who the priorities of BOTH main promoters are - its the heavyweights. I miss those good domestic dust ups where you thought the winner could move on to world title fights and the loser could perhaps come again.