BoxRec

HS Press wrote:Froch hits out at TV treatment

If Carl Froch has anything to do with it Jermain Taylor won’t be the only one licking his wounds following their super fight in the U.S. on April 25th. The reigning WBC Super Middleweight champ believes that TV executives on both sides of the Atlantic could also be bitten by the “Cobra”.

As of yet no deal has been reached for British TV to show the fight although BBC Radio 5 Live have realised the significance of the fight and will be broadcasting the fight live from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods in Connecticut. The Showtime TV network will also air the fight across the U.S. but Britain’s only genuine World Champ says that TV’s decision makers could be regretting their stance after the fight.

“This is a massive fight although British TV doesn’t seem to think so,” said Froch. “Unless something can be agreed shortly before the fight it’s going to mean fight fans missing out on seeing one of British boxing’s greatest ever nights and that would be a real shame. The irony is that I could have stayed at home in Nottingham, had a nice easy, first defence and that would have been shown on British TV. That would be the easy option though and I didn’t come all this way to become World Champion and then con the fans.

“When you first put on a pair of gloves as a kid you don’t dream about making routine defences, you dream about putting it all on the line and fighting the best in the world and that’s exactly what I’m doing now. It will be British TV’s loss if this fight isn’t shown because they will miss out on some British sporting history in the making with me going over to the U.S., taking Taylor into the trenches and finish him in style.”

Froch believes that Showtime could be in for a disappointing night too. “They’re going to see a great fight between two fighters at the top of their game but for them it’s going to be the wrong result. Naturally they’re excited about having a marquee name like Taylor fighting on Showtime for the first time.

“I saw a feature they did on the fight at the weekend and they introduced Taylor as one of the greatest fighters of his generation. It might be his place but it’s going to be my time and my generation on April 25th.”

In the piece Taylor dismissed Froch saying, “I’m still trying to figure out who he is. I don’t know much about him, he could be here in the gym today with me and I wouldn’t know who he was.

“He is the champion though so I have to respect that but I’ve watched his tapes and he’s showed me nothing special. He has to be taught how to lose just like I was. Losing to Kelly Pavlik has taught me that hard work and dedication are the only things that pay off.”

Taylor reigned supreme at middleweight dethroning long time champ Bernard Hopkins and defeating him for a second time until defeat to Kelly Pavlik led to him moving up to super middleweight.

“I’m not number one anymore but I know how to take a championship from somebody and that’s what I plan on doing,” said Taylor. “On April 25th I’m going to get in that ring and let it all out. Super Middleweight Champion of the World? I like the ring of that.”

Froch insists that he will not be leaving his belt in the U.S. “This is my chance to prove that not only am I the nest super middleweight in the World but one of the best fighters out there pound for pound. It’s a massive stage for me to make a real statement and I’m not going to disappoint anyone.

“Taylor says he wouldn’t know me if I walked into his gym but trust me if he even saw me in the gym he wouldn’t go ahead with the fight because I’m on fire right now. By the time I’m finished with him on April 25th Jermain Taylor will know exactly who I am and what I’m all about.”

http://WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

Loynesy wrote:As the starter of this thread is either a representative of Hennessey or a Froch apologist, the tone is foolhardy.

Is this a good fight? Yes.
Should it be televised? Of course
Should UK television have been part of the financing of the fight? Erm, probably.

Its as though Fat Mick wants to give another abject lesson in how not to promote after the debacle with Witter.

Finch wrote:Whilst it should and will be shown on British TV, Froch is seriously deluded.

One of Brtiish boxing's greatest ever nights ? Only when your mouth gets zipped !

One of the best pound for pound ? Yeah in Britain, but no where near on a world scale.

I think Frochy boy, you think you're a little bit better than you actually are.

sweetscience wrote:even if it is bought its been done wrong

HS should have done it like SKY do the yank shows, english bill first to wet the taste buds then over to the US for the main event

stujones wrote: Plus - Hennessey has a deal with ITV - he puts on a UK bill for Setanta and/or Sky... he could jeopordise that deal and face legal action... maybe he could change his name!

DG. wrote:

Finch wrote:Whilst it should and will be shown on British TV, Froch is seriously deluded.

One of Brtiish boxing's greatest ever nights ? Only when your mouth gets zipped !

One of the best pound for pound ? Yeah in Britain, but no where near on a world scale.

I think Frochy boy, you think you're a little bit better than you actually are.

Name me 10 great nights overseas for a British Fighter!

British TV needs to pick this up!

Finch wrote:Whilst it should and will be shown on British TV, Froch is seriously deluded.

One of Brtiish boxing's greatest ever nights ? Only when your mouth gets zipped !

One of the best pound for pound ? Yeah in Britain, but no where near on a world scale.

I think Frochy boy, you think you're a little bit better than you actually are.

exittored wrote:Going to America for your 1st defence is wrong imo

Why are they trying to break America when they haven't even broken Britain yet? His next 2 Fights should have been about building up his profile here and trying to get Froch to break into that 10,000 to 15,000 fan following

Personally i would have made his 1st Defence in Nottingham on April 25th against EDISON MIRANDA and shown on ITV 9pm Peak time. This would be an exciting fight for as long as it lasted and establish Froch as one of Britians most exciting Boxers.

2nd Defence in July at Manchester M.E.N arena would be a Unification Fight against KESSLER/BUTE/BALZSAY again on ITV 9pm Peak time. Have Murray vs Thaxton for the British Lightweight Title and Tyson Fury vs Derek Chisora/Sam Sexton for the English Heavyweight Title on the undercard to make a great night for British Boxing

After these 2 Fights he would have firmly established himself as a Household name in Britain and built up a good Fan following too.

Than he could go Fight in America in November against JERMAIN TAYLOR who by than would have a Super Middle belt too in what would be a much bigger Unification Fight for all the Belts and would definately get ITV/Setanta/Sky to shell out the money to show his Fight Live due to his much Higher Media and Public profile!

Coco wrote:I don't think you can critisise Froch, it's his promoter who is struggling

BABY BLUE wrote:i think warren made a comment about frochy oy. about which channel would show his fight. warren has made a valid point about him in terms of which tv channel will show his fights as froch is not a well known fighter in the state side.

stujones wrote:

Coco wrote:I don't think you can critisise Froch, it's his promoter who is struggling

Its TV companies who are struggling, and Hennessey is getting the backlash. There is no guarentee that this would have made UKTV even live at prime time. Could ITV had afforded, could Setanta afforded, would Sky be interested. I'm inclined to say no for all 3. Sky are not interested in Saturday boxing in the UK on prime time, and getting less interested in late night US shows.

Spud I am sure there are some clauses, but there will be alot of grey areas that are potentially liable or challenge worthy... like a definition of a "PPV" fighter, big fight etc. Do I think Sky would have Froch vs Taylor as a PPV - no probably not. Okay Khan vs Fagan is a far lesser fight, as was Prescott - but then FW had the bargining tool of his other stable when re-signing with Sky. Most of Hennessey's bills will be on ITV still.

ITV have been deemed the "bad guys" by some, but I think more anger should be directed at Sky - they have the money, but not the interest.

nobby_nobbins wrote:

Finch wrote:Whilst it should and will be shown on British TV, Froch is seriously deluded.

One of Brtiish boxing's greatest ever nights ? Only when your mouth gets zipped !

One of the best pound for pound ? Yeah in Britain, but no where near on a world scale.

I think Frochy boy, you think you're a little bit better than you actually are.

Well - Froch must be doing something right because he's got lots of people talking about him. Including you.

ERIC GUY wrote:How do people know TV companies are struggling, are they privy to the finances?? I aint seen anything that said there are probs!! can anyone help?

stujones wrote:

BABY BLUE wrote:i think warren made a comment about frochy oy. about which channel would show his fight. warren has made a valid point about him in terms of which tv channel will show his fights as froch is not a well known fighter in the state side.

Exactly, this is why this fight needed to be negotated on the US TV's terms, more so than UK TV terms. This fight is, at the moment, one of Froch's only chances to be on HBO - and with it being on a Friday at Nottingham, USTV wouldn't have been interested - and Froch would have been in the same position.