BoxRec

America's Al Haymon is preparing to move into the British boxing market from January by staging a fight between James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jnr on ITV Box Office.

The respected manager - long considered the sport's most powerful individual - has until now resisted the temptation to make fights in the United Kingdom despite having worked with some of the highest-profile British fighters, but is nearing an agreement for DeGale v Eubank Jnr to take place in London.

Unsuccessful negotiations had previously been held for the rival super-middleweights to fight on December 8 at London's O2 Arena or the Kensington Olympia where Eubank Jnr, prior to his participation in the World Boxing Super Series, had fought while promoted by Poxon Sports.

Haymon's influence - Floyd Mayweather has credited him with much of his success and his long-term shaping of the sport in the United States under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner has led to him recently signing Manny Pacquiao - is instead considered the key to finalising a date for January.

If his plans demonstrate the significant and growing interest in the British fight scene, PBC also now represents a potential long-term rival to allegedly's Queensberry Promotions and Eddie Hearn's Matchroom, the most influential figures in the UK.

Both respectively compete via BT Sport and Sky Sports, and while Matchroom have most recently announced plans to venture into Italy and have already begun to do so in the US through streaming service DAZN USA, the promising platform offered by ITV has remained largely untapped.

It is also understood that both American and British bills will be broadcast by ITV, and not exclusively on pay-per-view television, and that British heavyweight Joe Joyce is central to their plans for multiple shows throughout 2019.

PBC cards on free to air ITV? Fück yess..

I guess we’ll get the odd PPV..

The USA cards on ITV should no doubt always be free to air.

We’ll likely get Pacquiao vs. Broner, Spence vs. Garcia on ITV.

Looking forward to the free to air baaxing but not looking forward to DeGale boxing Jnr , fight does nothing for me

Oiky wrote: ↑08 Nov 2018, 20:31 Looking forward to the free to air baaxing but not looking forward to DeGale boxing Jnr , fight does nothing for me

Ha! If it was free I wouldn’t mind.. but that’ll be for sure PPV. Unfortunately.

I wonder what the plans for Joe Joyce is..

Hopefully keeping him active given his age and against better fighters than hanks

We've already got two main promoters who are reluctant to do business with each other. Do we need another?

We'll see what he brings. Free to watch boxing would be very welcome.

Deleted_Scenes wrote: ↑08 Nov 2018, 20:47 We've already got two main promoters who are reluctant to do business with each other. Do we need another?

We'll see what he brings. Free to watch boxing would be very welcome.

Hearn works well with Al.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Nov 2018, 20:59

Deleted_Scenes wrote: ↑08 Nov 2018, 20:47 We've already got two main promoters who are reluctant to do business with each other. Do we need another?

We'll see what he brings. Free to watch boxing would be very welcome.

Hearn works well with Al.

Yeah, it was tongue in cheek, based on Haymon's in-house American matchmaking. Hearn and Haymon seem mostly ok with each other.

EDIT: Ignore this post

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Nov 2018, 20:21 PBC cards on free to air ITV? Fück yess..

I guess we’ll get the odd PPV..

The USA cards on ITV should no doubt always be free to air.

We’ll likely get Pacquiao vs. Broner, Spence vs. Garcia on ITV.

I voted "not bothered" without really thinking - if the above is true, then it's great news for fans.
Fighters seem to get well paid with him too, so let's hope that continues.

It's funny, since I became a boxing fan nearly 30 years ago, people have been saying, "boxing's finished - dying on it's arse" but it just keeps growing and growing.
Arguably more money and more mainstream now, than at any time in history.

I wonder if IFL will manage to interview him. He doesn’t seem to seek the limelight.

PBC has been pretty dire. Won't last long in the UK before it fizzles out.

Not enough top level fighters to keep it going and can see it being yet another PPV grab.

ScottDetonator wrote: ↑09 Nov 2018, 06:43 PBC has been pretty dire. Won't last long in the UK before it fizzles out.

Not enough top level fighters to keep it going and can see it being yet another PPV grab.

It's picking back up in the US and it ca't be a money grab if it's already stated majority of UK and US cards will on regular ITV.

More competition with money behind it is not a bad thing (hopefully we don't end up in PPV hell though)

dookus wrote: ↑09 Nov 2018, 07:49 More competition with money behind it is not a bad thing (hopefully we don't end up in PPV hell though)

Or too many decent fights on the same night..

I'm guessing Eubank would have signed with PBC..

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Nov 2018, 06:55

ScottDetonator wrote: ↑09 Nov 2018, 06:43 PBC has been pretty dire. Won't last long in the UK before it fizzles out.

Not enough top level fighters to keep it going and can see it being yet another PPV grab.

It's picking back up in the US and it ca't be a money grab if it's already stated majority of UK and US cards will on regular ITV.

I'll believe it when we see some PBC cards 'live' on ITV! A couple of 4am fights and then Degale vs Eubank for £20?

Plus, picking up in the US? A load of old tripe recycled against each other or under matched guys, yes. If you call that picking up

PBC has done more damage than actually pit the best against the best.

Who would be the promoter?

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑10 Nov 2018, 05:54 Who would be the promoter?

I was thinking the same. Could use Poxon Sports?

If theres boxers in this country who want paid a fortune for sitting on their arse then Uncle Al's their man

handsofstone wrote: ↑10 Nov 2018, 09:16 If theres boxers in this country who want paid a fortune for sitting on their arse then Uncle Al's their man

You reckon he'll be signing more UK boxers?

Eubank Jr.
DeGale
Selby?
Khan

cant even think of many more right now..

I think Joyce will be built up in USA.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑10 Nov 2018, 08:06

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑10 Nov 2018, 05:54 Who would be the promoter?

I was thinking the same. Could use Poxon Sports?

I imagine there will be British promoters lining up around the block to offer their services.

keirw wrote: ↑12 Dec 2018, 04:50

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑10 Nov 2018, 08:06

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑10 Nov 2018, 05:54 Who would be the promoter?

I was thinking the same. Could use Poxon Sports?

I imagine there will be British promoters lining up around the block to offer their services.

They won’t have to do much anyway. PBC sells itself.

How much do Tom Brown and Lou DiBella really do on the PBC?

Btw. What is Haymon Sports? Is that Al’s own promotional company?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑12 Dec 2018, 06:47

keirw wrote: ↑12 Dec 2018, 04:50

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑10 Nov 2018, 08:06

I was thinking the same. Could use Poxon Sports?

I imagine there will be British promoters lining up around the block to offer their services.

They won’t have to do much anyway. PBC sells itself.

How much do Tom Brown and Lou DiBella really do on the PBC?

Btw. What is Haymon Sports? Is that Al’s own promotional company?

I think iit is officially a sports management company as he can't officially be booth the promoter and manager.

I think it will be great for the smaller British promoters as there will be more chances for them to get their lads on to televised undercards.

keirw wrote: ↑12 Dec 2018, 06:55
I think iit is officially a sports management company as he can't officially be booth the promoter and manager.

I think it will be great for the smaller British promoters as there will be more chances for them to get their lads on to televised undercards.

And that too on ITV.

I know Dennis Hobson usually uses FreeSports but I think when people are flicking through, you’re more likely to flick through BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5 etc. Would be good for him too.