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Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 05:11
by Lightsoot
Good line-up from Setanta but I think it would be very fickle if some of you cancelled SKY.
SKY support grass roots British Boxing and have done so since the early 90s when the sport was well and truly on its knees and when other networks turned their backs - they still deserve our support. SKY's policy to scale down their international coverage may not suit everyone but, personally, I'm just pleased they are still prepared to cover bread and butter British boxing. It would be a bit like Boxing News only covering major fights and ignoring the small hall promoters.
Even though the fighters SKY screen aren't as talented this shouldn't detract from the fact that we have witnessed some cracking domestic duels on SKY over the years. Old romantics have been touched to see guys like Ian Napa and Colin Lynes finally becoming British champions.
SKY got themselves into a mess by screening inferior WBU and WBF title fights but I think they've learned from their mistakes. It may have cost them their relationship with allegedly in the shortterm but ultimately their harsher stance has benefitted us all. We're seeing better fights across the board with more television stations covering boxing.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 05:33
by Autobarn
I think Sky need Haye to smash Enzo Mac and have a heavyweight hope to focus on, when he comes back.
Hennessey IMO needs to get a move on with Murray and Barker, and some meaningful fights for them.
Murray-Thaxton is needed. With Khan snubbing Thaxton, let's see if Murray can win the British title.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 05:40
by Autobarn
Manc_Red wrote:Look Setanta are doing damage to Sky in the UK , everyone slagged the life outta them when the first came to 28 east (sky digital) stating they would only be fighting for scraps that Sky have thrown the rest to fight over.....
They've now got Premiership in the UK (with sky) and if your living in Ireland your getting 3pm kickoffs live too. The Boxing has been getting better up 'til now but looking at this Schedule for the start of '08 - for me there destroying Sky - in fact a friend of mine who works with Sky is saying its actually starting to take away Subscribers from them.
Boxing fans have seen Sky shy away from Big US fights for the last few years and Setanta are jumping on that now...
All in all I think its a Win Win for the Boxing fan to have 1 of these Networks dominating Coverage of Boxing so that were not out of pocket subscribing to the 2 of them!!!
It looks like what you say is true. Setanta detracting from Sky's coverage. But why aren't Sky making an effort to get some of the US fights? Sky always used to show Malignaggi, Taylor, and the like. It seems like they maybe put to much into Hatton-Mayweather and are negelcting all else.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 06:05
by Manc_Red
One thing I can say is that we don't know how many viewers Sky were getting with late night/early morning Boxing Live from the States - Money is no object to Sky, if figures for there Fights shown Live were Poor for maybe a Year or so then Bosses and Sponsors (adverts etc) probably gave the orders to pull the Plug. Its obviously harsh on Fight Fans but Money coming in is the main objective and if high numbers ain't watching it there going to possibly look to a different Sport that will keep both there Sponsors and Viewers happy.....
There was no Competition so Sky done what they liked but now its a different story - the Bully is being Bullied Back and I expect Sky to do something about it by the end of the year - and for the Pundit who views both Packages legally/illegally it can only be a good thing.
Expect to see most Big Fight Boxing Live From the US on One or the Other Packages this Year.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 06:09
by Autobarn
you'd think with the Hatton PPV buys being so high that Sky would actually make an effort with boxing.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 06:27
by Poncey
Ben Carey wrote:Good line-up from Setanta but I think it would be very fickle if some of you cancelled SKY.
SKY support grass roots British Boxing and have done so since the early 90s when the sport was well and truly on its knees and when other networks turned their backs - they still deserve our support. SKY's policy to scale down their international coverage may not suit everyone but, personally, I'm just pleased they are still prepared to cover bread and butter British boxing. It would be a bit like Boxing News only covering major fights and ignoring the small hall promoters.
Even though the fighters SKY screen aren't as talented this shouldn't detract from the fact that we have witnessed some cracking domestic duels on SKY over the years. Old romantics have been touched to see guys like Ian Napa and Colin Lynes finally becoming British champions.
SKY got themselves into a mess by screening inferior WBU and WBF title fights but I think they've learned from their mistakes. It may have cost them their relationship with allegedly allegedly in the shortterm but ultimately their harsher stance has benefitted us all. We're seeing better fights across the board with more television stations covering boxing.
Imagine you're only a boxing fan. Would you be willing to pay 17 pounds (the cost of the SKY Sports package) to just watch domestic fights?
Looking at the TV schedule for Jan, this is all SKY have:
Fri, Jan 18 British Super-Bantamweight Title
Esham Pickering v Sean Hughes 10pm Metrodome
Barnsley
Fri, Jan 25 European Light-Welterweight Title
Colin Lynes v Gianluca Branco 10pm Goresbrook LC
Dagenham
Is that value for money? I don't think so when, for 9.99, I can see:
Jan 5 Pauli Malignaggi v Herman N'Goudjo IBF Light-welterweight Atlantic City
Jan 12 Kevin Mitchell v Thomas Aryetee Super-featherweight York Hall
Jan 19 Roy Jones Jnr v Felix Trinidad Light-heavyweight New York
Jan 19 Cory Spinks v Vernon Phillips Junior middleweight New York
Jan 19 Ruslan Chagaev v Matt Skelton WBA Heavyweight Dusseldorf
It's not a case of supporting British boxing, just for the sake of it. SKY have an obligation to us, as (potential) customers to put on the best possible programming for our favourite sport. If they don't do that, then why should we continue to shell out almost double of a rival channel, just because they show domestic fights?
That doesn't seem fair to me.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 06:36
by Manc_Red
Whether Me or anyone here like's it Boxing is not even in Sky's Top 3 Sports on its Sports Stations, they dont care if there Upsetting 50 - 60k minority fans - there main bread winners are Premiership Football Rugby Cricket etc - to be honest i'd say more Viewers are watching Darts now.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 08:38
by TerribleTerry
Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:Ben Carey wrote:Good line-up from Setanta but I think it would be very fickle if some of you cancelled SKY.
SKY support grass roots British Boxing and have done so since the early 90s when the sport was well and truly on its knees and when other networks turned their backs - they still deserve our support. SKY's policy to scale down their international coverage may not suit everyone but, personally, I'm just pleased they are still prepared to cover bread and butter British boxing. It would be a bit like Boxing News only covering major fights and ignoring the small hall promoters.
Even though the fighters SKY screen aren't as talented this shouldn't detract from the fact that we have witnessed some cracking domestic duels on SKY over the years. Old romantics have been touched to see guys like Ian Napa and Colin Lynes finally becoming British champions.
SKY got themselves into a mess by screening inferior WBU and WBF title fights but I think they've learned from their mistakes. It may have cost them their relationship with allegedly allegedly allegedly in the shortterm but ultimately their harsher stance has benefitted us all. We're seeing better fights across the board with more television stations covering boxing.
Imagine you're only a boxing fan. Would you be willing to pay 17 pounds (the cost of the SKY Sports package) to just watch domestic fights?
Looking at the TV schedule for Jan, this is all SKY have:
Fri, Jan 18 British Super-Bantamweight Title
Esham Pickering v Sean Hughes 10pm Metrodome
Barnsley
Fri, Jan 25 European Light-Welterweight Title
Colin Lynes v Gianluca Branco 10pm Goresbrook LC
Dagenham
Is that value for money? I don't think so when, for 9.99, I can see:
Jan 5 Pauli Malignaggi v Herman N'Goudjo IBF Light-welterweight Atlantic City
Jan 12 Kevin Mitchell v Thomas Aryetee Super-featherweight York Hall
Jan 19 Roy Jones Jnr v Felix Trinidad Light-heavyweight New York
Jan 19 Cory Spinks v Vernon Phillips Junior middleweight New York
Jan 19 Ruslan Chagaev v Matt Skelton WBA Heavyweight Dusseldorf
It's not a case of supporting British boxing, just for the sake of it. SKY have an obligation to us, as (potential) customers to put on the best possible programming for our favourite sport. If they don't do that, then why should we continue to shell out almost double of a rival channel, just because they show domestic fights?
That doesn't seem fair to me.
Well put Emerson.
I feel no need to 'prop up' Sky Sports - Sky as a whole have been taking my 60 odd quid a month for years and up to now I have been happy (give or take) with the service. If the quality/quantity of my favourite sport drops off substantially I will go elsewhere. It is simple market forces.
As I am a big football fan aswell chances are I wont go for the time being but I am certainly reviewing my subscription on a month by month basis.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 09:39
by Goz
Murdoch deserves your loyalty!!!
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 14:29
by WayoftheCass
Sky took Sky Sports News off Virgin (along with Sky News, Travel and Sky 2 though who gives a shit though I do miss Simpson on Sky 1)which to begin with was a right pain in the arse.
But I found it pretty funny the way Setanta have just launched a mirror image of Sky Sports News (to the point they are even employing some former presenters).
Its like Sky do something to swindle the public and Setanta just do the opposite to readdress the balance.
Murdoch must be well pissed off. Good.
I enjoy Sky's Friday Night Fights and that idea has really worked. But their neglect of the world boxing scene is shocking. And in light of a previous poster claiming its in order to focus more on the sick man organizations of MMA like Cage Rage and WEC
its just stupid.
As much as I enjoyed Liddel-Silva the only reason it was so good was because it was in Joe Rogan's own words "A Wild boxing match." Thing is though that Sky aren't even smart enough to chase that market. Even the most ardent MMA fan can't take Cage Rage that seriously.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 15:11
by Poncey
WayoftheCass wrote:Thing is though that Sky aren't even smart enough to chase that market. Even the most ardent MMA fan can't take Cage Rage that seriously.
I agree. A mate of a mate is Cage Rage fighter, and he got seriously hurt in his only UFC fight.
I have no idea how many MMA fans there in the UK, but I would expect there to be more Boxing fans. Especially casual ones. MMA isn't even on terrestrial FFS.
I've got no problem with SKY getting WEC, as it's probably the number 2 MMA promotion in the US, but at least show varied boxing matches from the US and not just domestic/European title fights in the UK.
The shows aren't even that expensive to have.
Especially as SKY have a far superior commentary team to hand and production values.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 15:16
by BAMBI
1 am til 4 am..
where is it staged, NJ?
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 15:58
by Poncey
BAMBI wrote:1 am til 4 am..
where is it staged, NJ?
Yep.
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 20:48
by TerribleTerry
Terry D wrote:Malignaggi is on early tonight 1-3ish am for the running time. The non-Vegas start time has persuaded me to stay up for this one, although the fight has not got me doing cartwheels just yet.
I am hoping to see Malignaggi get his guido-ass knocked out. I dont live in Jersey/NY (obviously) but if I did, I would imagine I would have little time for this particular sub-culture..
http://www.guidofistpump.com/guidooftheweek.html
Posted: 05 Jan 2008, 21:15
by E
TerribleTerry wrote:Terry D wrote:Malignaggi is on early tonight 1-3ish am for the running time. The non-Vegas start time has persuaded me to stay up for this one, although the fight has not got me doing cartwheels just yet.
I am hoping to see Malignaggi get his guido-ass knocked out. I dont live in Jersey/NY (obviously) but if I did, I would imagine I would have little time for this particular sub-culture..
http://www.guidofistpump.com/guidooftheweek.html
This site is v funny - though yet agian we see the double standards of racism at white people passing without a blink...(Guido is a derogatory term for Italian-Americans.)
And PAulie does fit the Guido bill pretty perfectly....waxed eyebrows, tan, pout, gelled highlighted hair....
Still as I understand from someone who has met him several times, and contrary to the public persona, Paulie is apparently a good guy.
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 04:56
by Tykemania
Manc_Red wrote:One thing I can say is that we don't know how many viewers Sky were getting with late night/early morning Boxing Live from the States - Money is no object to Sky, if figures for there Fights shown Live were Poor for maybe a Year or so then Bosses and Sponsors (adverts etc) probably gave the orders to pull the Plug. Its obviously harsh on Fight Fans but Money coming in is the main objective and if high numbers ain't watching it there going to possibly look to a different Sport that will keep both there Sponsors and Viewers happy.....
Figure that the big factor is not necessarily viewing figures for boxing per se, so much as the fact that Sky are now being heavily hammered by the competition that they are getting for other live rights. The cost of their flagship football package has gone up, Super League is due for a renegotiation and Setanta's interest means that instead of picking up international fights for a pittance, they actually need to make sensible and realistic offer to promotors abroad...which they are unlikely to do...
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 06:58
by Poncey
Tykemania wrote:Manc_Red wrote:One thing I can say is that we don't know how many viewers Sky were getting with late night/early morning Boxing Live from the States - Money is no object to Sky, if figures for there Fights shown Live were Poor for maybe a Year or so then Bosses and Sponsors (adverts etc) probably gave the orders to pull the Plug. Its obviously harsh on Fight Fans but Money coming in is the main objective and if high numbers ain't watching it there going to possibly look to a different Sport that will keep both there Sponsors and Viewers happy.....
Figure that the big factor is not necessarily viewing figures for boxing per se, so much as the fact that Sky are now being heavily hammered by the competition that they are getting for other live rights. The cost of their flagship football package has gone up, Super League is due for a renegotiation and Setanta's interest means that instead of picking up international fights for a pittance, they actually need to make sensible and realistic offer to promotors abroad...which they are unlikely to do...
Sky know everything you watch on your set top box. Trust me.
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 09:05
by leforge
I glad Setanta are showing these fights. The only problem was how bad was that commentry last night.
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 09:12
by Autobarn
leforge wrote:I glad Setanta are showing these fights. The only problem was how bad was that commentry last night.
maybe.
but I appreciated getting more fights & less studio
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 09:15
by Manc_Red
Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:Tykemania wrote:Manc_Red wrote:One thing I can say is that we don't know how many viewers Sky were getting with late night/early morning Boxing Live from the States - Money is no object to Sky, if figures for there Fights shown Live were Poor for maybe a Year or so then Bosses and Sponsors (adverts etc) probably gave the orders to pull the Plug. Its obviously harsh on Fight Fans but Money coming in is the main objective and if high numbers ain't watching it there going to possibly look to a different Sport that will keep both there Sponsors and Viewers happy.....
Figure that the big factor is not necessarily viewing figures for boxing per se, so much as the fact that Sky are now being heavily hammered by the competition that they are getting for other live rights. The cost of their flagship football package has gone up, Super League is due for a renegotiation and Setanta's interest means that instead of picking up international fights for a pittance, they actually need to make sensible and realistic offer to promotors abroad...which they are unlikely to do...
Sky know everything you watch on your set top box. Trust me.
Not if its Cable m8
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 09:35
by chesh
Autobarn wrote:leforge wrote:I glad Setanta are showing these fights. The only problem was how bad was that commentry last night.
maybe.
but I appreciated getting more fights & less studio
Ditto. Much as I enjoy listening to Bunce
et al., if the US feed without the UK studio broadcast is more cost-effective and results in more shows and more fights, then I'm happy with that. Didn't think the commentary and post-fight interviews were too bad, actually.
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 09:48
by Manc_Red
I've never been a liker of the US Commentry Teams - I agreed with there 115 - 113 scorecard not favouring Paulie but other than that I think they talk complete trash!
Like the Full Coverage though must say
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 10:18
by Poncey
chesh wrote:Autobarn wrote:leforge wrote:I glad Setanta are showing these fights. The only problem was how bad was that commentry last night.
maybe.
but I appreciated getting more fights & less studio
Ditto. Much as I enjoy listening to Bunce
et al., if the US feed without the UK studio broadcast is more cost-effective and results in more shows and more fights, then I'm happy with that. Didn't think the commentary and post-fight interviews were too bad, actually.
Was it the FOXSports dude? I find him annoying at times. Tessatore is better.
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 12:24
by chesh
Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:chesh wrote:Autobarn wrote:maybe.
but I appreciated getting more fights & less studio
Ditto. Much as I enjoy listening to Bunce
et al., if the US feed without the UK studio broadcast is more cost-effective and results in more shows and more fights, then I'm happy with that. Didn't think the commentary and post-fight interviews were too bad, actually.
Was it the FOXSports dude? I find him annoying at times. Tessatore is better.
It was Dave Bontempo and Wally Matthews.
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 18:39
by steve689
Bob Sheridan is the best, as soon as a decent punch is landed: "Wow this is one heck of a fight it's quite possibly the best i have ever seen...it's Ali-Frazier all over again"
No Bob it's Jesse Feliciano V Kermit Cintron now f**k off