Mick Hennessy

[Spud]

What are your thoughts on Meaty Mick Hennessy ?

[jameswilson]

[SeanBrennan]

big fan. Helped a lot of fighters, seemed to get dumped by a lot of fighters too (example Fury/Froch)although obviously I do not have full facts. Both his boxing kids seem a credit to him too.

Have you come across him Spud?

Good thread suggestion this imo.

[wrighty]

I like him. He put some quality shows on itv free to air with the likes of Danny McIntosh, Froch, Thaxton, Witter and Darren Barker. John O'Donnell too. It just seemed to go south.

I bet he's got an interesting story

[Nightmare Roy]

Seems like a decent fella for a boxing promoter

[jamesmcdonnell]

I went to a lot of his shows back when I was still covering boxing, they were always really good events.

[Fray Bentos]

I enjoyed his cards and how he went about things - a throwback if you will.

[Spud]

Its good see s lot of positive comments…

I think Micks knowledge of the sport os immense. In addition I have seen first hand his abilities as a VP promoter … he is very good.

So why do I have a feeling of what could have been.

[stujones]

One of those who I felt "on paper" would have / should have been any prospects "go to" promoter. He seemed to be "Mr" I can get a TV contract. He had Prime time BBC, Prime Time ITV (in the days when ITV were doing it quite well, with good advertising and buildups on ITV 4) - Nobody I feel could dispute that his two biggest stars, he brought them along well in terms of match making - not many "bums" in early Froch career, Fury also was fighting a good range of decent opponents.

When Froch made his controvesial and high profile leaving of his loyal sidekick in the middle of a highly recognised Boxing tournament that was getting him stateside exposure and plaudits with the fans I thought he was crazy and I really questioned it. This was a guy who had not long before had a global "fight of the year" contender on terrestrial TV (if memory serves it wasn't quite prime time) which was viewed by Millions and he is leaving the man who brought him that to go the "marginalised" Sky - I thought he was nuts.

Boy was I wrong - Boxing switched and the promoters needed to become a good looking face so you could promote yourself became the thing and youtube's popularity far outweighed ITV and BBC etc - and 80,000 fans in Wembley later Froch became the poster boy for Matchroom, which in turn was the poster for British Boxing.

Re Fury - I do maintain and I stick by it, that this was more "luck" than skill. I think people forget that Fury's was on a high (no pun) with Hennessy by his side. He also had a high profile bout fall through twice. I think the making of Fury what he is now, isn't necessarily the skillful promoting of Warren over Hennessy - Fury's first two comeback fights were quite drab affairs and didn't create much buzz. I don't even think it was the "new exciting" Fury style - it was his high profile backstory. Fury's misdemeanours and his humble apology on programmes like Sports Personality of the Year and This Morning which led to Netflix documentary which led to him becoming a super star. I remember saying at the time when Fury was getting slated for comments like "Jessica Ennis looks good in a dress" or words to that effect when he then went on Sports Personality and spoke openly about his Mental Health issues - I thought "a star is born".

Hennessy is a traditional promoter in the days where promoting has changed - long gone are the days of Bruno where a prime time slot of ITV or BBC means exposure to 18 million people and instant fame. Its not about the clicks on Youtube and also being part of "his excellency" pet project where his pocket money can see the fights he wants to see happen.

[Spud]

Great post

[black panther]

One of those who I felt "on paper" would have / should have been any prospects "go to" promoter. He seemed to be "Mr" I can get a TV contract. He had Prime time BBC, Prime Time ITV (in the days when ITV were doing it quite well, with good advertising and buildups on ITV 4) - Nobody I feel could dispute that his two biggest stars, he brought them along well in terms of match making - not many "bums" in early Froch career, Fury also was fighting a good range of decent opponents.

When Froch made his controvesial and high profile leaving of his loyal sidekick in the middle of a highly recognised Boxing tournament that was getting him stateside exposure and plaudits with the fans I thought he was crazy and I really questioned it. This was a guy who had not long before had a global "fight of the year" contender on terrestrial TV (if memory serves it wasn't quite prime time) which was viewed by Millions and he is leaving the man who brought him that to go the "marginalised" Sky - I thought he was nuts.

Boy was I wrong - Boxing switched and the promoters needed to become a good looking face so you could promote yourself became the thing and youtube's popularity far outweighed ITV and BBC etc - and 80,000 fans in Wembley later Froch became the poster boy for Matchroom, which in turn was the poster for British Boxing.

Re Fury - I do maintain and I stick by it, that this was more "luck" than skill. I think people forget that Fury's was on a high (no pun) with Hennessy by his side. He also had a high profile bout fall through twice. I think the making of Fury what he is now, isn't necessarily the skillful promoting of Warren over Hennessy - Fury's first two comeback fights were quite drab affairs and didn't create much buzz. I don't even think it was the "new exciting" Fury style - it was his high profile backstory. Fury's misdemeanours and his humble apology on programmes like Sports Personality of the Year and This Morning which led to Netflix documentary which led to him becoming a super star. I remember saying at the time when Fury was getting slated for comments like "Jessica Ennis looks good in a dress" or words to that effect when he then went on Sports Personality and spoke openly about his Mental Health issues - I thought "a star is born".

Hennessy is a traditional promoter in the days where promoting has changed - long gone are the days of Bruno where a prime time slot of ITV or BBC means exposure to 18 million people and instant fame. Its not about the clicks on Youtube and also being part of "his excellency" pet project where his pocket money can see the fights he wants to see happen.

Good post. I like Mick and unlike just about every other promoter from the dawn of time, he seems to have integrity.

But just couldn't seem to hold onto TV deals and top fighters: Tyson Fury, Carl Froch, Darren Barker and even guys like John Murray opted to leave him.
Probably as Stu says, he wasn't able to change/adapt the way he promoted and get his fighters the exposure they needed.

[JamesPhilips]

Has Mick made any good money out of boxing?EG Barry Hearn admitted that he never did and advised Eddie not to get into boxing…

[SeanBrennan]

Not sure, he's sold 50% of his company

[SeanBrennan]

One of those who I felt "on paper" would have / should have been any prospects "go to" promoter. He seemed to be "Mr" I can get a TV contract. He had Prime time BBC, Prime Time ITV (in the days when ITV were doing it quite well, with good advertising and buildups on ITV 4) - Nobody I feel could dispute that his two biggest stars, he brought them along well in terms of match making - not many "bums" in early Froch career, Fury also was fighting a good range of decent opponents.

When Froch made his controvesial and high profile leaving of his loyal sidekick in the middle of a highly recognised Boxing tournament that was getting him stateside exposure and plaudits with the fans I thought he was crazy and I really questioned it. This was a guy who had not long before had a global "fight of the year" contender on terrestrial TV (if memory serves it wasn't quite prime time) which was viewed by Millions and he is leaving the man who brought him that to go the "marginalised" Sky - I thought he was nuts.

Boy was I wrong - Boxing switched and the promoters needed to become a good looking face so you could promote yourself became the thing and youtube's popularity far outweighed ITV and BBC etc - and 80,000 fans in Wembley later Froch became the poster boy for Matchroom, which in turn was the poster for British Boxing.

Re Fury - I do maintain and I stick by it, that this was more "luck" than skill. I think people forget that Fury's was on a high (no pun) with Hennessy by his side. He also had a high profile bout fall through twice. I think the making of Fury what he is now, isn't necessarily the skillful promoting of Warren over Hennessy - Fury's first two comeback fights were quite drab affairs and didn't create much buzz. I don't even think it was the "new exciting" Fury style - it was his high profile backstory. Fury's misdemeanours and his humble apology on programmes like Sports Personality of the Year and This Morning which led to Netflix documentary which led to him becoming a super star. I remember saying at the time when Fury was getting slated for comments like "Jessica Ennis looks good in a dress" or words to that effect when he then went on Sports Personality and spoke openly about his Mental Health issues - I thought "a star is born".

Hennessy is a traditional promoter in the days where promoting has changed - long gone are the days of Bruno where a prime time slot of ITV or BBC means exposure to 18 million people and instant fame. Its not about the clicks on Youtube and also being part of "his excellency" pet project where his pocket money can see the fights he wants to see happen.

Brilliant insightful post this.

[Spud]

I remember falling out with Mick because thought I was going to get a job with him when the reality all that was available was work on a show by show basis.

I liked Mick and his team they were a pleasure to
Be around, one of them is a very good poster on here.

[coneye]

Think boxing needs more guys like him . Knows his job ,proof is in the pudding so to speak , from a laymans point of view outside looking in , it just seems he can't seem to get back the loyalty he shows , , but thats boxing , and the better you are at your job , the better you do , the more the sharks circle and want what you have got . Guys like Mick Hennessy are always going to have the nouce , skill set , buisness acumen and whatever else you need to get guys to the top , Keeping them from the sharks will always be his biggest problem

[samwbr]

Not enough cash?

[jonp]

Micks a good guy really believes in his fighters and stands by them, Probably too nice and not cut throat enough for the modern game.

[Spud]

Micks a good guy really believes in his fighters and stands by them, Probably too nice and not cut throat enough for the modern game.

Very sad but true

[MacTavish]

Was out with mates a few years ago and was drinking in Guy Ritchie’s pub (Mayfair I think, forget the name).

Mick was having a few pints at the bar - went over to say hello and that one of his cards at Ally Pally was the first I went to (Walker Vs Karmizin), we chatted for about 5 mins and he was such a nice and genuine guy.

[si7dog7]

Was out with mates a few years ago and was drinking in Guy Ritchie’s pub (Mayfair I think, forget the name).

Mick was having a few pints at the bar - went over to say hello and that one of his cards at Ally Pally was the first I went to (Walker Vs Karmizin), we chatted for about 5 mins and he was such a nice and genuine guy.

Loved watching David Walker. Very exciting and never in a dull one. From my original neck of the woods in SE. Fought some good names too.

[SeanBrennan]

I remember falling out with Mick because thought I was going to get a job with him when the reality all that was available was work on a show by show basis.

I liked Mick and his team they were a pleasure to
Be around, one of them is a very good poster on here.

thanks for sharing Spud, did not know his team posted on here, can only be a good thing for the forum. I think both of his children come across really well in boxing too. I know his son is not blessed with all the natural ability but he's always worked hard and also never talked ill of opponents.

[si7dog7]

I remember falling out with Mick because thought I was going to get a job with him when the reality all that was available was work on a show by show basis.

I liked Mick and his team they were a pleasure to
Be around, one of them is a very good poster on here.

thanks for sharing Spud, did not know his team posted on here, can only be a good thing for the forum. I think both of his children come across really well in boxing too. I know his son is not blessed with all the natural ability but he's always worked hard and also never talked ill of opponents.

Spud did a lot of stuff for Mick back in the day…
SecondsOut days he bigged them all (the stable) up and for good reason. There were bloody good.


Maybe too much of a nice guy Mick. Very passionate, very loyal.

Sadly, loyalty gets you no-where in boxing promotion.

That early 00s stable though. So exciting. Most cards were great.

Ooh. Suits you sir.

[SeanBrennan]

I remember falling out with Mick because thought I was going to get a job with him when the reality all that was available was work on a show by show basis.

I liked Mick and his team they were a pleasure to
Be around, one of them is a very good poster on here.

thanks for sharing Spud, did not know his team posted on here, can only be a good thing for the forum. I think both of his children come across really well in boxing too. I know his son is not blessed with all the natural ability but he's always worked hard and also never talked ill of opponents.

Spud did a lot of stuff for Mick back in the day…
SecondsOut days he bigged them all (the stable) up and for good reason. There were bloody good.


Maybe too much of a nice guy Mick. Very passionate, very loyal.

Sadly, loyalty gets you no-where in boxing promotion.

That early 00s stable though. So exciting. Most cards were great.

Ooh. Suits you sir.

Just scared my cat off my lap laughing out loud at your last sentence!

[SeanBrennan]

Spud's a great part of the forum, enjoy learning about his experiences. Genuinely interesting. He definitely has a book in him.