BoxRec

This "I'll bid a rediculous sum to feck up a rival fighter" is getting a bit boring and doesn't do the sport any favours at all.

I could understand why FW bought Woods vs Johnson. Joe and Frank made it no secret that if Johnson won there would be a damn good chance that Johnson and Joe would square up. Even the British fighter Calzaghe expressed that he wanted Johnson to win.

However, bidding on Froch vs Adamu and now (possibly) Haye vs Mormeck is silly and just petty. Froch isn't on Joe's radar (unfortunately) and it was clear with the fight date issue that an unrealistic bid was only made just to feck Froch up... and it worked. Unfortunately also, it seems like Enzo and Haye will never fight and as Boxingchat insuated - I doubt Haye will want to fight on a SN show.

Same will apply for Haye. If King bids for it, then it is understandable as Mormeck is a DKP fighter.

Quite simply, it's my belief that as far as SN are concerned, you are either 'with them' or 'against them.' Frank will do everything to maintain his spot at the top of the pile, and ensure that he continues to command the lions share of the pool of boxing talent in the country.

Allowing his rivals to negotiate their fighters into title shots, quite simply, is not good for his business profile, because otherwise, other fighters might start thinking that signing with said rivals is a good thing.

Lately, I think SN have been forced to re-evaluate their position, and it seems that a lot of other promoters are getting in on the act. Whilst no other UK based promoter has anything approaching the depth of Warren's stable, they are making ground in terms of getting their fighters in position.

Hennessy has Witter and Froch, one has a world title, and the other seems to be heading in the right direction to do the same, they got Eastman multiple title shots, plus a number of promising younger fighters coming through.

Hobson of course has Ricky Hatton, and Clinton Woods, he isn't getting rich off the back, but it looks good when fight academy try and sign other fighters.

Maloney has broken ranks, and has managed to secure the services of one David Haye, who whathever anyone says, has the potential to do the unthinkable and win a heavyweight title. Whether he does this or not, that makes him a hot prospect for a promoter looking to break back into the big time.

At the end of the day, I believe this is why we see SN rubbish fighters who aren't on their books, it's all about maintaining position at the top, and making their rivals look insignificant.

I guess you could say that this is just concomitant with the roughneck nature of all business, you don't stay on top by allowing your rivals to steal a march on you. Microsoft didn't just roll over and let Netscape do what they liked, they had to be buggered forcefully in court, that's the way it goes.

Of course, PR is generally an exercise in bluster and bullshit on all sides, nobody has the monopoly on that, it's just that as SN are at the top of the pile, their PR tends to draw more criticism, and there is more of it.

There are of course many more promotional outfits, but these are the major rivals I would suggest.

boxingchat wrote:Haye talks a good fight but........

Put the crackpipe down

Don't take drugs kids, they make you talk shit.

Sports Network are getting more and more desperate by the day

If Frank bids over the odds as it looks like he will, then I hope Haye pockets the pennies and fights on a SN show. If Haye beats Mormeck then Frank is going to have to dig alot deeper to get the undisputed Cruiser Champ in with Enzo.