Warren eager for Harrison v Skelton
Posted: 10 Jul 2004, 12:25
I don't like the comments about SKY's plans for Saturday nights. 
Saturday July 10, 2004
The Guardian
allegedly remains hopeful that a showdown between the Olympic super-heavyweight champion Audley Harrison and the British and Commonwealth champion Matt Skelton will happen in September.
Harrison, 32, and Skelton, 37, are undefeated and a confrontation between the two would be one of British boxing's most marketable fights. Warren, who promotes Skelton, said: "We've been talking to Audley and his business adviser and we've had meetings with his lawyer.
"As ever, it's all about money. It's also about talking realistic sums. But it is in Audley's interests for this fight to happen as it is the one the fans want to see. I think there is a good chance of making this one happen."
The prospect of Warren putting on more major fights before Christmas may be hampered by TV politics, however, with Sky planning to screen 15 pay-per-view Premiership football matches on Saturday evenings before Christmas, which appears to jeopardise its regular boxing shows.
Major bouts involving Joe Calzaghe, a potential cruiserweight title contest between the veteran World Boxing Organisation champion Johnny Nelson and the 23-year-old World Boxing Union champion Enzo Maccarinelli of Wales, and a possible WBO featherweight title contest between Scott Harrison and his mandatory challenger Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico, might all be pushed back to the new year unless Sky is prepared to accommodate the sport on Saturdays.
But Warren is "100% certain" he can deliver a significant autumn fight for his WBU light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, against either the WBA champion Vivian Harris or the former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora, with Harris the more likely opponent, in October, in Manchester.
Saturday July 10, 2004
The Guardian
allegedly remains hopeful that a showdown between the Olympic super-heavyweight champion Audley Harrison and the British and Commonwealth champion Matt Skelton will happen in September.
Harrison, 32, and Skelton, 37, are undefeated and a confrontation between the two would be one of British boxing's most marketable fights. Warren, who promotes Skelton, said: "We've been talking to Audley and his business adviser and we've had meetings with his lawyer.
"As ever, it's all about money. It's also about talking realistic sums. But it is in Audley's interests for this fight to happen as it is the one the fans want to see. I think there is a good chance of making this one happen."
The prospect of Warren putting on more major fights before Christmas may be hampered by TV politics, however, with Sky planning to screen 15 pay-per-view Premiership football matches on Saturday evenings before Christmas, which appears to jeopardise its regular boxing shows.
Major bouts involving Joe Calzaghe, a potential cruiserweight title contest between the veteran World Boxing Organisation champion Johnny Nelson and the 23-year-old World Boxing Union champion Enzo Maccarinelli of Wales, and a possible WBO featherweight title contest between Scott Harrison and his mandatory challenger Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico, might all be pushed back to the new year unless Sky is prepared to accommodate the sport on Saturdays.
But Warren is "100% certain" he can deliver a significant autumn fight for his WBU light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, against either the WBA champion Vivian Harris or the former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora, with Harris the more likely opponent, in October, in Manchester.
