BoxRec

Okay in the last year we had Hunt vs Meager and maybe a couple of others, but it seems like there does seem to be an UK version of the King/Arum feud happening at this moment.

However, I really cannot understand (hopefully someone can enlighten me) why there are not more inter promotional fights happening. Unlike with King and Arum, there is no longer any TV deals to worry about, whilst there is some confusion and rumours, it seems like Sports Network are the only UK promotional company tied to a long term "regular" contract.

Between them Matchroom, Hennessey, Fight Academy etc have some exciting fighter who I would love to see fight against SN fighters or indeed each other. BEFORE anyone reads this wrong, its not designed to be critical of Sports Network - we don't see many inter promotional fights involving the non-televised promoters (i.e. Fight Academy vs Hennessey).

That is one of my hope of 2005, I do think boxing is in a major crisis over here (as it was in the world scene about 4-5 years ago). However, King and Arum now do (when needed) can negotiate a deal and unifications are becoming more and more common (thank god). It is time that the UK promoters helped each other out and inter promotional events/fights were made.

Anybody care to enlighten me why they cannot happen.

Nobody? Or is this a bit of a dodgy subject to discuss.

It depends on the promoters i suppose, maybe wanting to protect their 'assests'...... <cough> "allegedly" <cough>

I agree with you stu, it is a major problem and needs to be rectified sooner rather than later. When fighters are signed up with different promoters it means they will rarely fight the best available at there weight which results in careers stagnating and a stream of mismatches.

The problem is similar in America with Showtime/HBO and Arum/King but isn't as bad as the scope is much bigger so competetive matches can still be made. I think Hennessy signing for SKY Sports would be a step in the right direction.

steve689 wrote:I agree with you stu, it is a major problem and needs to be rectified sooner rather than later. When fighters are signed up with different promoters it means they will rarely fight the best available at there weight which results in careers stagnating and a stream of mismatches.

The problem is similar in America with Showtime/HBO and Arum/King but isn't as bad as the scope is much bigger so competetive matches can still be made. I think Hennessy signing for SKY Sports would be a step in the right direction.

Yes, I can understand the Showtime/HBO problems, that primarily has to do with TV rights. Yet still it doesn't seem to be as big a stumbling block as it was 4-5 years ago. Great matches are happening more often now.

The fact the only one promoter has a long term TV deal surely doesn't mean that this stumbling block exists. I could see why Harrison and Skelton couldn't be made before, but now?

I think it boils down to ego's.