Hughie Fury vs. Michael Hunter | Sky Sports - 29 October 2022 (POSTPONED)

[Frostieballs]

I think he did a good job with Degale although some may disagree. Degale could easily have disappeared after the Groves loss then his poor performance straight after. He kept him relevant and also build CEJr.

I don’t think Mick did a bad job with Degale but I don’t think he did a particularly good job either. 3 fights at Bluewater, out in Hull, out in Canada and then Bristol against fairly average opposition isn’t going to do much to help a fighter sell tickets. This was after headlining a PPV at the O2 in a close fight.

He did keep Degale fairly active though which is never a bad thing but I think Mick struggled to get people to care about his fighters even if 1m+ (or we’ll over that when he had airtime on ITV) were watching them. Did he ever sell out an arena show? Crazy if not considering the roster of fighters he’s had.

Sold out the Nottingham Arena with Froch a good few times.

[Coco]

I think he did a good job with Degale although some may disagree. Degale could easily have disappeared after the Groves loss then his poor performance straight after. He kept him relevant and also build CEJr.

I don’t think Mick did a bad job with Degale but I don’t think he did a particularly good job either. 3 fights at Bluewater, out in Hull, out in Canada and then Bristol against fairly average opposition isn’t going to do much to help a fighter sell tickets. This was after headlining a PPV at the O2 in a close fight.

He did keep Degale fairly active though which is never a bad thing but I think Mick struggled to get people to care about his fighters even if 1m+ (or we’ll over that when he had airtime on ITV) were watching them. Did he ever sell out an arena show? Crazy if not considering the roster of fighters he’s had.

Sold out the Nottingham Arena with Froch a good few times.

Tony Oakey sold out the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth too

[Frostieballs]

Who was Mick's biggest success?

Froch or Tyson clearly. Took them both to world titles from pro debut.

[Frostieballs]

I don’t think Mick did a bad job with Degale but I don’t think he did a particularly good job either. 3 fights at Bluewater, out in Hull, out in Canada and then Bristol against fairly average opposition isn’t going to do much to help a fighter sell tickets. This was after headlining a PPV at the O2 in a close fight.

He did keep Degale fairly active though which is never a bad thing but I think Mick struggled to get people to care about his fighters even if 1m+ (or we’ll over that when he had airtime on ITV) were watching them. Did he ever sell out an arena show? Crazy if not considering the roster of fighters he’s had.

Sold out the Nottingham Arena with Froch a good few times.

Tony Oakey sold out the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth too

Slight difference. 2k vs 10k.

[Frostieballs]

Also, Dave Walker did over 5k at Ally Pally against Karmazin.

Football stadium / big arena shows weren’t a thing back then.

Without checking thoroughly, I’d say Mick was putting on some of the best attended events in the sport at the time.

[maverick23]

I think he did a good job with Degale although some may disagree. Degale could easily have disappeared after the Groves loss then his poor performance straight after. He kept him relevant and also build CEJr.

I don’t think Mick did a bad job with Degale but I don’t think he did a particularly good job either. 3 fights at Bluewater, out in Hull, out in Canada and then Bristol against fairly average opposition isn’t going to do much to help a fighter sell tickets. This was after headlining a PPV at the O2 in a close fight.

He did keep Degale fairly active though which is never a bad thing but I think Mick struggled to get people to care about his fighters even if 1m+ (or we’ll over that when he had airtime on ITV) were watching them. Did he ever sell out an arena show? Crazy if not considering the roster of fighters he’s had.

Sold out the Nottingham Arena with Froch a good few times.

Which fights? I was at a couple of Froch’s big fights with Mick and they weren’t sold out.

[maverick23]

Also, Dave Walker did over 5k at Ally Pally against Karmazin.

Football stadium / big arena shows weren’t a thing back then.

Without checking thoroughly, I’d say Mick was putting on some of the best attended events in the sport at the time.

What about Hatton? Calzaghe? David Haye against Maccarinelli and his U.K. fights after that? Scott Harrison?

Big arena shows were very much a thing then.

[Frostieballs]

Also, Dave Walker did over 5k at Ally Pally against Karmazin.

Football stadium / big arena shows weren’t a thing back then.

Without checking thoroughly, I’d say Mick was putting on some of the best attended events in the sport at the time.

What about Hatton? Calzaghe? David Haye against Maccarinelli and his U.K. fights after that? Scott Harrison?

Big arena shows were very much a thing then.

All good shouts.

I see Hatton as some kind of separate phenomenon.

Calzaghe actually struggled to shift tickets early in his title reign, but did ignite later on.

Froch and Walker sold reasonably well from early on.

Like I say, hadn’t checked thoroughly, but I think the impression that Mick’s shows were well attended was fair.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Also, Dave Walker did over 5k at Ally Pally against Karmazin.

Football stadium / big arena shows weren’t a thing back then.

Without checking thoroughly, I’d say Mick was putting on some of the best attended events in the sport at the time.

What about Hatton? Calzaghe? David Haye against Maccarinelli and his U.K. fights after that? Scott Harrison?

Big arena shows were very much a thing then.

All good shouts.

I see Hatton as some kind of separate phenomenon.

Calzaghe actually struggled to shift tickets early in his title reign, but did ignite later on.

Froch and Walker sold reasonably well from early on.

Like I say, hadn’t checked thoroughly, but I think the impression that Mick’s shows were well attended was fair.

You only have to look at who Calzaghe was fighting at the time. People just weren’t bothered.

[mickey1975]

Wasn't Oakey with Maloney?
Froch never totally sold out the arena.

[maverick23]

Also, Dave Walker did over 5k at Ally Pally against Karmazin.

Football stadium / big arena shows weren’t a thing back then.

Without checking thoroughly, I’d say Mick was putting on some of the best attended events in the sport at the time.

What about Hatton? Calzaghe? David Haye against Maccarinelli and his U.K. fights after that? Scott Harrison?

Big arena shows were very much a thing then.

All good shouts.

I see Hatton as some kind of separate phenomenon.

Calzaghe actually struggled to shift tickets early in his title reign, but did ignite later on.

Froch and Walker sold reasonably well from early on.

Like I say, hadn’t checked thoroughly, but I think the impression that Mick’s shows were well attended was fair.

I went to Froch against Dodson, Reid and Dirrell. None of them sold out. The Dirrell fight wasn’t helped by the crazy start time though. They weren’t poorly attended from memory but were a pretty long way from being sold out.

I just think Mick couldn’t get enough people to really care about his fighters. I don’t think Froch was helped by the frequent moves of TV network either. When Sky/Eddie got behind him his profile sky rocketed. I just don’t think that would have happened if he’d stayed with Mick.

[Frostieballs]

Frochy was defo doing 7-8k

[garethhop]

What about Hatton? Calzaghe? David Haye against Maccarinelli and his U.K. fights after that? Scott Harrison?

Big arena shows were very much a thing then.

All good shouts.

I see Hatton as some kind of separate phenomenon.

Calzaghe actually struggled to shift tickets early in his title reign, but did ignite later on.

Froch and Walker sold reasonably well from early on.

Like I say, hadn’t checked thoroughly, but I think the impression that Mick’s shows were well attended was fair.

I went to Froch against Dodson, Reid and Dirrell. None of them sold out. The Dirrell fight wasn’t helped by the crazy start time though. They weren’t poorly attended from memory but were a pretty long way from being sold out.

I just think Mick couldn’t get enough people to really care about his fighters. I don’t think Froch was helped by the frequent moves of TV network either. When Sky/Eddie got behind him his profile sky rocketed. I just don’t think that would have happened if he’d stayed with Mick.

His profile rocketed off the night vs Bute. Pure and simple. Sky and Hearn did a great job promoting that fight off the back of a loss, and Froch did a great job in his performance.

Think people forget how short the Hearn/Froch connection was. Two years from the first Matchroom event to the last, 5 fights, but 4 of them were amongst the biggest and most memorable fight nights of the decade.

[maverick23]

All good shouts.

I see Hatton as some kind of separate phenomenon.

Calzaghe actually struggled to shift tickets early in his title reign, but did ignite later on.

Froch and Walker sold reasonably well from early on.

Like I say, hadn’t checked thoroughly, but I think the impression that Mick’s shows were well attended was fair.

I went to Froch against Dodson, Reid and Dirrell. None of them sold out. The Dirrell fight wasn’t helped by the crazy start time though. They weren’t poorly attended from memory but were a pretty long way from being sold out.

I just think Mick couldn’t get enough people to really care about his fighters. I don’t think Froch was helped by the frequent moves of TV network either. When Sky/Eddie got behind him his profile sky rocketed. I just don’t think that would have happened if he’d stayed with Mick.

His profile rocketed off the night vs Bute. Pure and simple. Sky and Hearn did a great job promoting that fight off the back of a loss, and Froch did a great job in his performance.

Think people forget how short the Hearn/Froch connection was. Two years from the first Matchroom event to the last, 5 fights, but 4 of them were amongst the biggest and most memorable fight nights of the decade.

Yeah. Adam Smith always talks well I think about Froch. When Froch came on to Sky towards the end of the Super 6 he wanted to go on to PPV whilst Adam told him that his causal sports fan mates didn’t know who he was and he needed to be built properly and the Bute fight did that.

It’s weird in that probably only 10-20% of the volume of people who watched the Pascal fight (which was also a really good fight) watched the Bute fight yet it was integral in making people want to pay to watch him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Ben Whittaker Will Turn Pro

British boxing’s newest star Ben Whittaker will launch his professional career on the big stage when he features on the undercard of the Hughie Fury-Michael Hunter WBA heavyweight title eliminator on Saturday 2nd July at the AO Arena Manchester, live and exclusively on Sky Sports.

Whittaker is the final member of the record-breaking Team GB Tokyo medallists to turn over from the amateur ranks and is one of the biggest and most exciting names in recent years to enter the pros.

Recognized internationally as a top prospect, ‘B£NZO’ made headlines around the world last month when he inked an exclusive long-term promotional agreement with BOXXER at a lavish promotional launch packed with media and VIP attendees.

Charismatic and talented, Whittaker has stated an aim to become a global star and one of Britain’s all-time greats as he prepares to make his professional debut in the dynamic and competitive light-heavyweight division.

Guiding the 24-year-old Wolverhampton native on his professional path will be trainer SugarHill Steward, trainer of heavyweight megastar Tyson Fury. He has compared Whittaker to the legendary Roy Jones Jr, noting that both turned professional after achieving Olympic glory.

“Everything that's happened so far has led me to this and I have been waiting my whole life for this moment. I am just so excited to get in the ring and show you all what you already know I can do, I am counting down the days,” said Whittaker.

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said, “I’m very excited ahead of the professional debut of Ben Whittaker and believe that we’re going to witness the start of a very special journey in his career on July 2nd. We’ve never seen so much interest in a fighter announcement.

Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development Adam Smith, said, “A brilliant main event is supported by the highly anticipated professional beginning for Olympian starlet Ben Whittaker. This is a huge moment for Sky, Boxxer, 258, his trainer SugarHill and Ben’s family. We think he’s got the mix of skill, strength and personality to become a massive star in the sport. With a stacked card featuring our other emerging talent, this should be a real summer sizzler on Sky Sports!”

[jlh]

Not huge fan of watching Hughie but good to see some boxing on over the summer in the UK. Not sure where it came from but it felt like boxing followed the football season schedule - boxing went missing in the UK from June to September.

[mickey1975]

A bit ironic a kid called Benzo is starting on a Hughie bill.

[jimmystone]

A bit ironic a kid called Benzo is starting on a Hughie bill.

[Counter-puncher]

A bit ironic a kid called Benzo is starting on a Hughie bill.

Very good

[margaret thatcher]

ya, around the world all the headlines were of ben whittakers lavish press conference

and 'starlet' ffs, why are british boxing press release writers so obsessed with using that

jeez, they are making me want him to be ktfo already. how long until he's a 'global superstar'

[Dioufy]

ya, around the world all the headlines were of ben whittakers lavish press conference

and 'starlet' ffs, why are british boxing press release writers so obsessed with using that

jeez, they are making me want him to be ktfo already. how long until he's a 'global superstar'

Never change

[Spud]

Meaty Mick is a good promoter .

[Dioufy]

Meaty Mick is a good promoter .

Spot on.

From early on he was a player. Tyron, Froch, Degale.

Time has done him no favours.
He’s been though more deals than piers pudendum Morgan and hes like 25 stone.

Him defending Tyson on sky against Haye banging tv.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[ib]Press Release[/b]

BOXXER talents Caroline Dubois, Hassan Azim and Brad Rea will showcase their talents on the undercard of the crunch heavyweight showdown between Hughie Fury and Michael Hunter at the AO Arena Manchester on Saturday 2nd July, live and exclusive on Sky Sports.

The trio of prospects will join another red-hot talent who makes his highly-anticipated entry into the professional ranks, 2020 Olympic silver medallist Ben ‘B£NZO’ Whittaker. Trained by SugarHill Steward, multi-decorated amateur Whittaker was one of the most sought-after Tokyo Olympians by promoters. With his sublime talent and unique flair, he aims to become this generation’s face of the sport.

Manchester prospect Rea (13-0, 5 KO’s), who defeated Lukas Ndafoluma last time out in April, fights in front of his home fans’ for the second time this year when he features in an eight-rounder against Welshman Morgan Jones (14-3, 5 KO’s).

The all-action middleweight flattened Craig McCarthy for the count with one left uppercut on his last visit to the AO Arena Manchester on the Khan-Brook undercard in February. Prior to that he enhanced his growing reputation with an impressive victory over Jez Smith in a pulsating eight-round battle last October.

Lightweight sensation Dubois (2-0, 1 KO) has looked superb since turning pro last year and is now unbeaten in two fights at just 21 years old. ‘Sweet Caroline’ registered her first stoppage - a blistering first round TKO of Martina Horgasz in March - and will continue to show her rapid development under trainer Shane McGuigan again as she marches towards her first title.

Hard-hitting prospect Azim (4-0, 3 KO’s) and his brother Adam are both trained under McGuigan. Hassan has two first round KO’s from his four wins and aims to make it a knockout hat-trick as he continues to blaze a trail in the welterweight division.

Also confirmed for the card are heavyweight Steve Robinson (4-1, 3 KO’s) and super-welterweight April Hunter (5-1), training partner of middleweight champion Savannah Marshall.

“Caroline Dubois, Hassan Azim and Brad Rea are three of the best young talents in British boxing today and each of them has the potential to go all the way and become a global superstar in this sport. With an undercard showcasing the future of British boxing and a main event which will make waves in the heavyweight division, Manchester on 2 July is shaping up to be one of the best cards of 2022,” said Ben Shalom, BOXXER founder and CEO.

[maverick23]

Hughie’s ill so the whole show (including Ricky be Barrera) has been delayed to an as yet TBC date.