Do we want Frank back?

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 25 Jun 2007, 03:43

Now that we're looking forward to some SN shows, is anyone getting impatient about the TV situation? I mean, Khan in his first calculated test as a pro, Arthur and Cook for alphabet titles, Enzo Macca against a world class puncher...

Setanta and Sky are doing fine with boxing at the moment. Between them we could be getting most of the major action (though would love to see committment to more German, Japanese, Irish fights as well).

The only thing missing is ITV and Frank renewing. Is anyone working on a contract that will provide good fights...We need a terrestrial station to keep the sport truly afloat and maybe even one who will compete with the cable/atellite channels for international battles.

fried bread · Post by **fried bread** » 25 Jun 2007, 03:52

If the Brits are going to be misfits cut off from the rest of the world - no!

If Warren plans to match Enzo M with King cruisers, maybe. If Calzaghe fights Kessler, then it's essential. Khan will come good, so we should get off his back a bit. He's at that stage where you face lesser comp.

Not sold on the heavyweights and this mythical world title shot. Without David Haye the heavyweights are mostly dull.

Not sold on Cookie and Arthur at all as world class fighters.

Right now they're in limbo but anything they do will pale to what Ricky Hatton did in Vegas (of course, Warren brought Ricky along masterfully if protectively but you'd never see him topping the bill in Vegas if he was with FW, IMO).

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 25 Jun 2007, 04:21

What's the best fight FW has given us since his ITV contract began?

Lacy v Joe?

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 25 Jun 2007, 04:40

You'd have to say yes, unification fight at super-middle, long time champion against much touted successor.

Unfortunatly for Frank has spent too long messing around with the messy fat heavyweights, Calzaghe has been too inconsistant, Arthur has been injured and not had the fights, Harrison has sunk away from boxing, people have expected Khan to be in competitive fights because he has been the major ticket seller for most of his fights and most of all Hatton left him.

After Lacy v Joe you could make a case for it being Woods v Johnson. Yes there have been better fights (Earl v Katsides) but for attracting viewers and succedding in supplying and decent fight.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 25 Jun 2007, 04:40

Boxing needs terrestrial television.

But it's hardly going to be welcomed with open arms if the product is no good.

ITV just needed a contract which allowed an independent person to look at the proposed fights and say yes or no. I can't believe this happened and have actually been told it didn't. If this independent quality control is allowed, it would do wonders for both ITV and the sport.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 25 Jun 2007, 04:52

It does seem mental that a network would allow someone to specify the quality of the product they provide.

I guess ITV were lured by the prospect of Hatton, Calzaghe, Khan and Harrison, (i think Harrison was still a factor at that stage wasn't he?), which is a pretty impressive line up.

However, it's not ever wise to give control to the promoter to set their own targets.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 25 Jun 2007, 05:33

I just think they wanted Hatton and Khan. Joe appeared to be going nowhere after the Same fight. Some good fights but so many silly ones. Just why did they make Calzaghe-Bika? What good did anyone think Joe v Ashira would be? Was it clever of Arthur to say on national TV "I want the weakesht of the championsh"? It was a bit of a disaster but I'd like to see them do it right this time.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 25 Jun 2007, 07:01

All Allegedly is good for is building up the records of boxers who then fornicate off and leave him to go across the pond and fight decent opponents...

his best two fighters EVER for example....

Messrs Hatton and Hamed....

If Johnson had beaten Woods he would have fought Joe, as it was Clinton beat him.....

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 25 Jun 2007, 07:11

I agree with James, Boxing needs terrestial television. It would be great if the Beeb and ITV were involved with the sport ala the 1980's. However, I definately think ITV need to be involved cause their comeback at least gave the sport some justice - unlike the BBC's rediculously late one fight show.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 25 Jun 2007, 07:32

Would love to see Frank put on consistently good shows on ITV. I'm looking forward to Khan-Limmond in particular. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to think that Amir will be the future box office of British boxing.

Calzaghe-Kessler of course would be a deal clincher!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 25 Jun 2007, 08:32

By the way Autobarn, I'm not convinced about Setanta yet. How many false dawns have we had from them. A bit like Channel 5, they seem to want to tip their toes in but never commit.

One show doesn't mean they are in for the long haul. We can go back as far as Jones vs Ruiz as a hope that Setanta would compete with Sky. Then we had Bennett vs Earl (and a real ding dong fight that was) and assurances that they will showcase more domestic action.

Still can count the number of shows they have done on one hand.

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 25 Jun 2007, 09:48

I hope ITV continue to air boxing, but don't sign an exclusive deal with SN. ITV should say if the bill is good enough we'll air it, if it isn't we won't. It'd be nice to see the likes of Froch and Haye get the coverage that their talents deserve

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 25 Jun 2007, 11:20

stujones wrote:By the way Autobarn, I'm not convinced about Setanta yet. How many false dawns have we had from them. A bit like Channel 5, they seem to want to tip their toes in but never commit.

One show doesn't mean they are in for the long haul. We can go back as far as Jones vs Ruiz as a hope that Setanta would compete with Sky. Then we had Bennett vs Earl (and a real ding dong fight that was) and assurances that they will showcase more domestic action.

Still can count the number of shows they have done on one hand.

Back then though, they were just piping the feeds in as i recally, they didn't have their own production team.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 25 Jun 2007, 12:44

A fair call James, but I believe everybody (except Dempsey) were "loaned" and have not signed a perminent deal (exclusive or otherwise) to Setanta. This is their first and it could be their last.... We all thought that Five and Bravo were in for the long haul after their one off fights.

The Earl vs Bennett fight naturally was not a US feed and that wasn't sustained

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 25 Jun 2007, 13:04

stujones wrote:By the way Autobarn, I'm not convinced about Setanta yet. How many false dawns have we had from them. A bit like Channel 5, they seem to want to tip their toes in but never commit.

One show doesn't mean they are in for the long haul. We can go back as far as Jones vs Ruiz as a hope that Setanta would compete with Sky. Then we had Bennett vs Earl (and a real ding dong fight that was) and assurances that they will showcase more domestic action.

Still can count the number of shows they have done on one hand.

well, they have made big step ups. Hatton just excelled and they have the rights to his next several fights. if that doesn't put them in the swing of things...

of course we need confirmation of consistent commitment. interesting doc on Wednesday - 'I Could Have Been a Contender', on journeyman Tony Booth.

This month, Setanta have excelled. Two terrific spectacles. The Cotto card was uniformly excellent (apart from Foreman-Thompson) and the Hatton fight was worth staying up for (despite poor undercard and bickering presenters).

Before, all I can remember is Hopkins-Eastman which was aeons ago. Seems like things are picking up.

I know no one wants to pay extra. However, Setanta can really up the quality of Uk boxing coverage. If at any chance they threaten to one-up Sky, we should see a counter move by them...in an ideal world, we get terrific stuff every week or two.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 25 Jun 2007, 13:31

Is that confirmed regarding Hatton's next fight/s. Given that Hatton's promotional future isn't secure - I doubt anything can be certain regarding who he signs for. Setanta would be a little fecked if he say signed for King for the US and Warren again (unlikely I know). Thats of course if Frank does renew with ITV.

states · Post by **states** » 25 Jun 2007, 13:37

It was reported in the Independent on Sunday a few weeks ago that Setanta had signed a six fight deal with Fight Academy. Quite what the ins and outs of that deal were, and whether or not any of those fights will feature Hatton or not, I don't know. But it does seem that Setanta are more serious this time around.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 25 Jun 2007, 19:50

I doubt Hatton dumps Hobson. Hatton does want to have UK homecomings -especially with the sparse HBO dates (1 fight in 2005, disgraceful!) - so why burn bridges?

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 26 Jun 2007, 05:13