Hennessy Sports Statement on Fury vs Chisora Purse Bids

[HS Press]

Hennessy Sports Statement on Fury vs. Chisora Purse Bids

Hennessy Sports would like to set the record straight concerning recent rumours that have been posted across the internet and in the media regarding the purse bids for the British Heavyweight title fight between challenger Tyson Fury and champion Dereck Chisora following the publication of a circular by the BBB of C on its website on 4 May stating that Mick Hennessy had failed to comply with the terms of the purse bid. 

On Wednesday 13th April, Hennessy Sports won via purse bids with a substantial offer, the rights to stage the British Heavyweight title fight, and, in accordance with Regulation 9.31(b) of the BBB of C rules (which states: “The Promoter making the highest bid accepted by the Board shall, within fourteen days of that acceptance, supply the Board with a date and venue for the contest”), submitted these details to the Secretary of the Board, Robert Smith on Wednesday 27th April. 

Due to the BBB of C's requirement for the fight to take place before the end of July and after careful consideration, Hennessy Sports decided that the best possible date for the exciting fight was Saturday 23rd July. After undertaking extensive research and with this being a notoriously bad month to stage an event in the UK and a number of high profile fights already  having been announced, Hennessy Sports decided to hold this highly anticipated and exciting British Heavyweight title fight at the fabulous “Plaza de Toros de Marbella”. This upmarket and glamorous Spanish city of Marbella is a popular destination for British tourists and home to many thousands of expats.

Mick Hennessy said: “We had to take a serious look at where and when to stage this fight due to a number of other great fights already happening during the month of July. The end of the month was really the only option we had but at this time of the year it is difficult to promote an event in the UK and after having had extensive discussions with our contacts in Marbella for a while now we took the bull by the horns and decided to hold this at the impressive 8,500 seated capacity Bullring in Marbella.”

“We had the full support and backing of the Spanish Boxing Board, local authorities, the town hall and the tourist board who were all extremely keen to host this prestigious event.”

On Tuesday 3rd May Hennessy Sports received a letter from the BBB of C stating that Mick Hennessy had failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the original purse bid and stating that it intended to open short-term purse bids.
Mick Hennessy said: “I have spoken to my lawyers regarding this and I cannot understand why the BBB of C has not granted approval for the bout, as to my knowledge, there is nothing to prevent a title fight being contested outside of the UK.  Let’s not forget that back in August 2007 Brian Magee fought Tony Oakey for the British Light Heavyweight title in Dublin.”  

“I’m also shocked and extremely disappointed as to why, having submitted a date and venue on time, I was not given the opportunity to submit an alternative venue for this date if the Board had concerns with the proposed venue, as it was the Board who had refused our proposed choice of venue.”

Mick Hennessy added: “Both fighters were being paid a significant purse. This additional delay is now threatening the commercial viability of the bout if it has to be held in July. This bout had all of the makings to become a remarkable event just like the time when British legends Frank Bruno, Lloyd Honeyghan and Gary Mason fought in Marbella back in 1987. But now it looks like lawyers are going to have to get involved to sort this out.”

[Glyn Leach]

Interesting ... Are we to take it that Hennessy complied but the Board just didn't like the venue? That's the implication I take from this HS press release. Is there a rule to say British title fights can't take place outside the UK? As this release states, there's a precedent for one having taken place outside the Board's direct jurisdiction. This looks like one to keep an eye on ...

[Alba]

its a bit far fetched ,to stage the fight in Spain!

[Glyn Leach]

its a bit far fetched ,to stage the fight in Spain!

Why? Different is not wrong. There's already been the bullring show that others have referred to featuring Honeyghan and Bruno, Matchroom staged a Eubank fight in the Algarve, there have been precedents and I really don't see a problem with it — in fact, I applaud it, a bit of ingenuity is no bad thing.

[grannyman]

its a bit far fetched ,to stage the fight in Spain!

You're probably right, but if a British title fight has already occurred in Dublin, then what's the difference? If the location is the only problem then Mick's lawyers could take the board to the cleaners.

[SAPFO]

It would of been full of Brits anyway and would have got the sport some new interest. Nice little 'away' trip for the hardcore fan too. Everything is against Hennessey atm.

[funso banjo baby]

this is completely ridiculous

[Dan Dares]

If they didn't like the venue, they should have let Hennessey submit an alternative, at least. Jesus, the bloke cant even buy a bit of luck.

[funso banjo baby]

spain is ridiculous

[dazzer]

i would have gone, would have been in spain anyway

[stujones]

spain is ridiculous

Ridiculous is different from not complying with the regulations. I thought having a British Heavyweight title fight in a cattle market in West Wales was ridiculous (although not for me personally, it was just down the road) but it was permitted.

Surely it is allowed to being held anywhere, providing it is in with the regulations. Its surely not up to the BBBoC to suggest where it should take place based on their opinion of the venue. Surely its up to the promoter to judge if the venue is ridiculous in terms of profitability - providing it IS above the regulations. The BBBoC should highlight what ruling this has breached.

I agree, Spain sounds ridiculous - but we don't know really his justifications for it - but surely he doesn't need to justify a venue that is not in breach of regulations.

[Coco]

As long as there isn't more to this, it seems Hennessy has been badly treated, I think the event in Spain would be fantastic.
I would guess that as long as his paperwork was in order he would have a strong legal case

[Dan Dares]

I think the Spain idea is a great one, and it would also attract lots of publicity if promoted properly. You could potentially do a 'Spain v England' thing on the undercard.

[Camcas]

If Hennessy has this fight it will be a failiure

[keithmoonhangover]

Dublin would be a great place for that fight. Fury would have a ton of support.

Hennessy is just trying to make some money. Can't blame him for that.

[earsjohn]

Sending this fight to Spain is seriously flawed. Its a very attractive fight that will garner a fair amount of casual interest. It's for the UK title and features two young UK heavyweights who could push on to World title contention in the next few years. Surely this is an easy sell in this country, even with a middling undercard - it would certainly be more attractive than the last Hennessey card at Wembley Arena and that did well, tickets wise, even up against a Warren card across town at York Hall.

Ignoring the rights and wrongs of whether the BBBC are entitled to rule out Spain, I'm glad they have as this is a match up that should be fought on these shores.

I'm not sure how the Bruno, Honeyghan card from 25 odd years ago is relevant in this case - Bruno was still on the comeback trail from the Witherspoon defeat while Gene Hatcher was a lamb thrown to the wolves - it was a bit of a party, semi-serious, whereas Fury-Chisora should be ultra-competitive and not treated as a bit of a joke.

If Hennessey is truly saying that he can't find a venue in the whole of the UK for this fight across a range of dates before the end of the deadline, then maybe that's more of an indication as to the reason behind recent defections than anything else - ie, he ain't much cop.

[Glyn Leach]

spain is ridiculous

Surely it is allowed to being held anywhere, providing it is in with the regulations. Its surely not up to the BBBoC to suggest where it should take place based on their opinion of the venue. Surely its up to the promoter to judge if the venue is ridiculous in terms of profitability - providing it IS above the regulations. The BBBoC should highlight what ruling this has breached... surely he doesn't need to justify a venue that is not in breach of regulations.

Exactly. We need to hear the Board's side of things now, be told officially what their problem is with Hennessy's proposal. Sadly, they still have a tendency to go ostrich at points like this, revert to 'gentleman's club' mode. A bit more transparancy would gain them a lot more respect IMO.
King G, my guess is that the target live crowd would be holidaymakers, Brits already in Spain. Neither fighter has headlined above York Hall-ish level so there's nothing to suggest a travelling (excuse the pun re Fury) fanbase exists for this fight.

[dookus]

Interesting to know whether or not the Board's decision actually is subject to legal review

[Jon Saxon]

I smell shite here.

Like i said the board is in someones pocket.

[funso banjo baby]

bloody ridic

its almost like they want everyone to hate Fury even more....and its hardly his fault that Hennessy seems to want to pander to the scumiest of fans

[palooka]

I smell shite here.

Like i said the board is in someones pocket.

You may have a point that needs looking into Jon.

On another thread it was pointed out that following a very serious ring accident the BBBC were almost written off following a law suit. It may have been suggested that a powerful and successful boxing business man aided the struggling BBBC. I'm not sure if that happened or not but would be interested if it were true.

[charlieb]

Fury's on a sinking ship, surely he realises that.

[keithmoonhangover]

Fury's on a sinking ship, surely he realises that.

Got to disagree. Fury has been promoted brilliantly so far.

[charlieb]

Fury's on a sinking ship, surely he realises that.

Got to disagree. Fury has been promoted brilliantly so far.

You mean until now?

[the truth]

Hennessy Sports Statement on Fury vs. Chisora Purse Bids

Hennessy Sports would like to set the record straight concerning recent rumours that have been posted across the internet and in the media regarding the purse bids for the British Heavyweight title fight between challenger Tyson Fury and champion Dereck Chisora following the publication of a circular by the BBB of C on its website on 4 May stating that Mick Hennessy had failed to comply with the terms of the purse bid. 

On Wednesday 13th April, Hennessy Sports won via purse bids with a substantial offer, the rights to stage the British Heavyweight title fight, and, in accordance with Regulation 9.31(b) of the BBB of C rules (which states: “The Promoter making the highest bid accepted by the Board shall, within fourteen days of that acceptance, supply the Board with a date and venue for the contest”), submitted these details to the Secretary of the Board, Robert Smith on Wednesday 27th April. 












Talk about dodgy! Spain Marbella gangsters paradise! No wonder the board knocked it back
Why there??
Due to the BBB of C's requirement for the fight to take place before the end of July and after careful consideration, Hennessy Sports decided that the best possible date for the exciting fight was Saturday 23rd July. After undertaking extensive research and with this being a notoriously bad month to stage an event in the UK and a number of high profile fights already  having been announced, Hennessy Sports decided to hold this highly anticipated and exciting British Heavyweight title fight at the fabulous “Plaza de Toros de Marbella”. This upmarket and glamorous Spanish city of Marbella is a popular destination for British tourists and home to many thousands of expats.

Mick Hennessy said: “We had to take a serious look at where and when to stage this fight due to a number of other great fights already happening during the month of July. The end of the month was really the only option we had but at this time of the year it is difficult to promote an event in the UK and after having had extensive discussions with our contacts in Marbella for a while now we took the bull by the horns and decided to hold this at the impressive 8,500 seated capacity Bullring in Marbella.”

“We had the full support and backing of the Spanish Boxing Board, local authorities, the town hall and the tourist board who were all extremely keen to host this prestigious event.”

On Tuesday 3rd May Hennessy Sports received a letter from the BBB of C stating that Mick Hennessy had failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the original purse bid and stating that it intended to open short-term purse bids.
Mick Hennessy said: “I have spoken to my lawyers regarding this and I cannot understand why the BBB of C has not granted approval for the bout, as to my knowledge, there is nothing to prevent a title fight being contested outside of the UK.  Let’s not forget that back in August 2007 Brian Magee fought Tony Oakey for the British Light Heavyweight title in Dublin.”  

“I’m also shocked and extremely disappointed as to why, having submitted a date and venue on time, I was not given the opportunity to submit an alternative venue for this date if the Board had concerns with the proposed venue, as it was the Board who had refused our proposed choice of venue.”

Mick Hennessy added: “Both fighters were being paid a significant purse. This additional delay is now threatening the commercial viability of the bout if it has to be held in July. This bout had all of the makings to become a remarkable event just like the time when British legends Frank Bruno, Lloyd Honeyghan and Gary Mason fought in Marbella back in 1987. But now it looks like lawyers are going to have to get involved to sort this out.”