The future of boxing on Sky Sports

[maverick23]

So we’re 7 weeks away from the end of Boxxer’s deal on Sky Sports and no news yet on a renewal.

Shalom has spoke positively about a new deal but there are now rumours that Sky only want to do a deal on a fight by fight basis. I.E. rather than an annual budget, every single show has to be agreed separately for a certain price.

Whilst I think that could be best for the viewer due to, you’d imagine, better quality control, it could be bad news for Boxxer as it’s hard to plan properly without guaranteed funds and dates. Particularly when they apparently have many fighters on large guarantees.

I did wonder whether something was amiss when Boxxer didn’t sign any of the 2024 U.K. Olympians. They went real hard after the 2020 crop yet the only fighter they signed from the last Olympics was Cindy Ngamba from the refugee team whilst the male Olympians went to Eddie or Frank.

I’m not sure whether Boxxer will other alternatives either. I’d be surprised if TNT want to get back into boxing and I don’t know who else in the U.K. would want to pay say c.£1m a show.

[Coco]

So we’re 7 weeks away from the end of Boxxer’s deal on Sky Sports and no news yet on a renewal.

Shalom has spoke positively about a new deal but there are now rumours that Sky only want to do a deal on a fight by fight basis. I.E. rather than an annual budget, every single show has to be agreed separately for a certain price.

Whilst I think that could be best for the viewer due to, you’d imagine, better quality control, it could be bad news for Boxxer as it’s hard to plan properly without guaranteed funds and dates. Particularly when they apparently have many fighters on large guarantees.

I did wonder whether something was amiss when Boxxer didn’t sign any of the 2024 U.K. Olympians. They went real hard after the 2020 crop yet the only fighter they signed from the last Olympics was Cindy Ngamba from the refugee team whilst the male Olympians went to Eddie or Frank.

I’m not sure whether Boxxer will other alternatives either. I’d be surprised if TNT want to get back into boxing and I don’t know who else in the U.K. would want to pay say c.£1m a show.

Shalom had a real touch getting the contract in the first place, if it gets renewed I'll believe he has a fairy godmother!!

Whittaker has gone with Andy Lee, whose fighters are with Frank or Eddie, how much are Big Fraze and the Welsh girl worth?

[keithmoonhangover]

It's going to be renewed. What other options are there?

[maverick23]

It's going to be renewed. What other options are there?

That’s it’s not renewed or that it’s turned into a fight by fight deal.

[keithmoonhangover]

It's going to be renewed. What other options are there?

That’s it’s not renewed or that it’s turned into a fight by fight deal.

When I was a kid, I'd watch anything that Eurosport and ScreenSport would dollop up. Herbie Hide undercards aplenty, but back then it was a novelty to have so much sport available after years and years of terrestrial TV. Now there's a lot of competition from the other sports and I wonder how many people would watch a York Hall show on a Friday night, instead of a mid-table Championship game.

[maverick23]

So we’re 7 weeks away from the end of Boxxer’s deal on Sky Sports and no news yet on a renewal.

Shalom has spoke positively about a new deal but there are now rumours that Sky only want to do a deal on a fight by fight basis. I.E. rather than an annual budget, every single show has to be agreed separately for a certain price.

Whilst I think that could be best for the viewer due to, you’d imagine, better quality control, it could be bad news for Boxxer as it’s hard to plan properly without guaranteed funds and dates. Particularly when they apparently have many fighters on large guarantees.

I did wonder whether something was amiss when Boxxer didn’t sign any of the 2024 U.K. Olympians. They went real hard after the 2020 crop yet the only fighter they signed from the last Olympics was Cindy Ngamba from the refugee team whilst the male Olympians went to Eddie or Frank.

I’m not sure whether Boxxer will other alternatives either. I’d be surprised if TNT want to get back into boxing and I don’t know who else in the U.K. would want to pay say c.£1m a show.

Shalom had a real touch getting the contract in the first place, if it gets renewed I'll believe he has a fairy godmother!!

Whittaker has gone with Andy Lee, whose fighters are with Frank or Eddie, how much are Big Fraze and the Welsh girl worth?

Shalom did great getting the deal with Sky. I don’t blame Sky either. The other promoters (Sauerland, Hennessy) have had opportunities in the past and failed to take advantage of it. They also had Adam Smith helping out and the start of their run was great.

I’m torn on the job they’ve done with Whittaker. He’s a name, has a following, sells tickets but is booed in his hometown, gets a lot of flack and also takes heat for things his promoter should help with. He got a lot of heat for the round stuff in the Cameron rematch and they could have dealt with the Cameron 1 reaction a lot better.

I’m not that bothered by a lot of their women’s stuff. I also wonder how they’re in a position to offer someone like Terri Harper £200k+ to fight on an undercard.

[Rezzer1967]

It's going to be renewed. What other options are there?

That’s it’s not renewed or that it’s turned into a fight by fight deal.

When I was a kid, I'd watch anything that Eurosport and ScreenSport would dollop up. Herbie Hide undercards aplenty, but back then it was a novelty to have so much sport available after years and years of terrestrial TV. Now there's a lot of competition from the other sports and I wonder how many people would watch a York Hall show on a Friday night, instead of a mid-table Championship game.

Yes I was the same. I knew the careers of Johnny B Goode and Thunder Aaya inside out. Marcus Macdonald was a young referee and Jimmy was still fighting. Golden days. Now I’m 100% more selected. Still enjoyed those Screensport days. Very exciting as was any boxing broadcast overnight from the USA.

[stujones]

Yes, I think they will go for a fight by fight deal - they only seem to be interested in these Saudi bills or ones backed by Turki.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yes, I think they will go for a fight by fight deal - they only seem to be interested in these Saudi bills or ones backed by Turki.

Can mean that Boxxer have more stacked cards then

[Jimmy2025]

Is the logical move not for Boxxer to go to DAZN too and DAZN to do a deal for Sky to be allowed to show PPV fights?

[JamesPhilips]

Yes, I think they will go for a fight by fight deal - they only seem to be interested in these Saudi bills or ones backed by Turki.

Can mean that Boxxer have more stacked cards then

They don’t have many good fighters though…

[johninmanchester]

It's going to be renewed. What other options are there?

Could just take PPV events from DAZN /The Ring and cut Boxxer loose to sink or swim as an independent promotion.

Sky doesn't have to have an in house exclusive promoter

And right now Saudi has all the talent and is doing all the big shows

Saudi also want Sky platform, so it's a two way street. Sky can get the big Saudi fights with no headache or crap filler events, and Saudi get access to the Sky platform

Cant really see why Sky would need boxxer at all tbh!

[SeanBrennan]

I hope it's renewed, Warren and Hearn will be insufferable if Shalom goes.

[maverick23]

Yes, I think they will go for a fight by fight deal - they only seem to be interested in these Saudi bills or ones backed by Turki.

Can mean that Boxxer have more stacked cards then

They currently do 8 U.K. shows a year on regular SSports. If it goes fight by fight then I’d imagine it’ll reduce.

They also don’t have a particularly big stable. Who are their prospects?

[maverick23]

Is the logical move not for Boxxer to go to DAZN too and DAZN to do a deal for Sky to be allowed to show PPV fights?

I’m not sure DAZN would want them. There’s only a few fighters (Jr, Whittaker, Azim) that they’d want I think.

Eubank is probably big enough now to do a deal with Sky Sports without a promoter.

Also DAZN won’t want to share PPVs. If Turki’s involved then he may do.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is the logical move not for Boxxer to go to DAZN too and DAZN to do a deal for Sky to be allowed to show PPV fights?

I’m not sure DAZN would want them. There’s only a few fighters (Jr, Whittaker, Azim) that they’d want I think.

DAZN pick up anything tbh.. stables a stable and it cuts out the network rivalry.

[maverick23]

Is the logical move not for Boxxer to go to DAZN too and DAZN to do a deal for Sky to be allowed to show PPV fights?

I’m not sure DAZN would want them. There’s only a few fighters (Jr, Whittaker, Azim) that they’d want I think.

DAZN pick up anything tbh.. stables a stable and it cuts out the network rivalry.

There’s a difference in picking up a few cheap shows to add content and singing a fairly long term multi million £ deal.

They’ve got Eddie and Frank already. I don’t think adding Shalom adds much additional subscribers.

[johninmanchester]

Is the logical move not for Boxxer to go to DAZN too and DAZN to do a deal for Sky to be allowed to show PPV fights?

I’m not sure DAZN would want them. There’s only a few fighters (Jr, Whittaker, Azim) that they’d want I think.

DAZN pick up anything tbh.. stables a stable and it cuts out the network rivalry.

If they lose the Sky deal, you'll 100% have fighters jumping ship (or trying to; I'd expect to see lawsuits).

If they lose Whittaker and Azim they are done for. Tbh even losing Whittaker would be a total death knell for them.

Even if the stable held together, DAZN won't pay them anything like 8m a year like Sky does.

I think people are daydreaming if they think there is some sort of seamless transition from losing a Sky deal. Sky is big steady money. Difficult to replicate those conditions.

[Coco]

So we’re 7 weeks away from the end of Boxxer’s deal on Sky Sports and no news yet on a renewal.

Shalom has spoke positively about a new deal but there are now rumours that Sky only want to do a deal on a fight by fight basis. I.E. rather than an annual budget, every single show has to be agreed separately for a certain price.

Whilst I think that could be best for the viewer due to, you’d imagine, better quality control, it could be bad news for Boxxer as it’s hard to plan properly without guaranteed funds and dates. Particularly when they apparently have many fighters on large guarantees.

I did wonder whether something was amiss when Boxxer didn’t sign any of the 2024 U.K. Olympians. They went real hard after the 2020 crop yet the only fighter they signed from the last Olympics was Cindy Ngamba from the refugee team whilst the male Olympians went to Eddie or Frank.

I’m not sure whether Boxxer will other alternatives either. I’d be surprised if TNT want to get back into boxing and I don’t know who else in the U.K. would want to pay say c.£1m a show.

Shalom had a real touch getting the contract in the first place, if it gets renewed I'll believe he has a fairy godmother!!

Whittaker has gone with Andy Lee, whose fighters are with Frank or Eddie, how much are Big Fraze and the Welsh girl worth?

Shalom did great getting the deal with Sky. I don’t blame Sky either. The other promoters (Sauerland, Hennessy) have had opportunities in the past and failed to take advantage of it. They also had Adam Smith helping out and the start of their run was great.

I’m torn on the job they’ve done with Whittaker. He’s a name, has a following, sells tickets but is booed in his hometown, gets a lot of flack and also takes heat for things his promoter should help with. He got a lot of heat for the round stuff in the Cameron rematch and they could have dealt with the Cameron 1 reaction a lot better.

I’m not that bothered by a lot of their women’s stuff. I also wonder how they’re in a position to offer someone like Terri Harper £200k+ to fight on an undercard.

Shalom worked a miracle getting the contract, the other promoters never had sky's pot of gold, having Adam Smith wasn't a positive thing!
Whittaker now is box office, but can they keep him?
And Shalom's concentration on the women is embarrassing!
The lad from Barnsley is a good fighter, and sells locally, but is unheard of out of that

[maverick23]

Shalom had a real touch getting the contract in the first place, if it gets renewed I'll believe he has a fairy godmother!!

Whittaker has gone with Andy Lee, whose fighters are with Frank or Eddie, how much are Big Fraze and the Welsh girl worth?

Shalom did great getting the deal with Sky. I don’t blame Sky either. The other promoters (Sauerland, Hennessy) have had opportunities in the past and failed to take advantage of it. They also had Adam Smith helping out and the start of their run was great.

I’m torn on the job they’ve done with Whittaker. He’s a name, has a following, sells tickets but is booed in his hometown, gets a lot of flack and also takes heat for things his promoter should help with. He got a lot of heat for the round stuff in the Cameron rematch and they could have dealt with the Cameron 1 reaction a lot better.

I’m not that bothered by a lot of their women’s stuff. I also wonder how they’re in a position to offer someone like Terri Harper £200k+ to fight on an undercard.

Shalom worked a miracle getting the contract, the other promoters never had sky's pot of gold, having Adam Smith wasn't a positive thing!
Whittaker now is box office, but can they keep him?
And Shalom's concentration on the women is embarrassing!
The lad from Barnsley is a good fighter, and sells locally, but is unheard of out of that

Having Adam Smith was a positive thing for Boxxer and for the sport. He’d have been someone pushing boxing heavily behind the scenes to get big fights, more promotion on other Sky channels and would have helped getting the boxing on Sky Showcase. Who in Sky now would heavily be pushing boxing?

It’s no surprise to me the volume and quality of Sky U.K. shows reduced when Adam Smith went off sick.

[a force]

For the amount of shows they put on they have enough headliners.

They’ve got Whittaker / Clarke / Artingstall / Denny for the midlands, Price / Edwards for Wales, Billam-Smith for Bournemouth, Simpson for Barnsley / Yorkshire & Azim / Buatsi / Riakporhe / Riley for London.

They’ve could potentially do something with Jeffers & Massey in the north west. Jeffers should come to the fore when Simpson moves on.

They’ve also got Eubank for PPV’s & Bakole for these big Saudi bills.

Dubois is a tricky one because she doesn’t sell tickets but she could well be the best at her weight.

They just need to hang on in there while all this Dazn & Saudi business plays out. No one’s going to keep losing money forever. We saw it with Haymon in the States. Eventually the Saudi’s will get fed up.

[ShadrachSimmo]

It's going to be renewed. What other options are there?

That’s it’s not renewed or that it’s turned into a fight by fight deal.

When I was a kid, I'd watch anything that Eurosport and ScreenSport would dollop up. Herbie Hide undercards aplenty, but back then it was a novelty to have so much sport available after years and years of terrestrial TV. Now there's a lot of competition from the other sports and I wonder how many people would watch a York Hall show on a Friday night, instead of a mid-table Championship game.

There’s too much sport available on tv/social media etc now. Too much choice. There’s no mystique to anything. Even going back 30 years it was exciting watching things like the World Cup or euros as it was a chance to see players you would never normally see. Now you can watch any game anywhere anytime on your phone. Same with boxing. European title fights in the 70’s were shown live on the BBC. How fckin crazy does that sound now. Even the old Friday fight nights on Sky seems an age ago. British and Comminwealth title fights every month…sigh getting all fckin nostalgic here ..

[tony1234]

That’s it’s not renewed or that it’s turned into a fight by fight deal.

When I was a kid, I'd watch anything that Eurosport and ScreenSport would dollop up. Herbie Hide undercards aplenty, but back then it was a novelty to have so much sport available after years and years of terrestrial TV. Now there's a lot of competition from the other sports and I wonder how many people would watch a York Hall show on a Friday night, instead of a mid-table Championship game.

There’s too much sport available on tv/social media etc now. Too much choice. There’s no mystique to anything. Even going back 30 years it was exciting watching things like the World Cup or euros as it was a chance to see players you would never normally see. Now you can watch any game anywhere anytime on your phone. Same with boxing. European title fights in the 70’s were shown live on the BBC. How fckin crazy does that sound now. Even the old Friday fight nights on Sky seems an age ago. British and Comminwealth title fights every month…sigh getting all fckin nostalgic here ..

Boxing wasn't shown live on the BBC in the 70's, hardly any fights were. Mike Barrett & Mickey Duff's shows at the Albert Hall and Wembley Arena were held on a Tuesday night and shown on Sportsnight with Harry Carpenter on the Wednesday

[ShadrachSimmo]

When I was a kid, I'd watch anything that Eurosport and ScreenSport would dollop up. Herbie Hide undercards aplenty, but back then it was a novelty to have so much sport available after years and years of terrestrial TV. Now there's a lot of competition from the other sports and I wonder how many people would watch a York Hall show on a Friday night, instead of a mid-table Championship game.

There’s too much sport available on tv/social media etc now. Too much choice. There’s no mystique to anything. Even going back 30 years it was exciting watching things like the World Cup or euros as it was a chance to see players you would never normally see. Now you can watch any game anywhere anytime on your phone. Same with boxing. European title fights in the 70’s were shown live on the BBC. How fckin crazy does that sound now. Even the old Friday fight nights on Sky seems an age ago. British and Comminwealth title fights every month…sigh getting all fckin nostalgic here ..

Boxing wasn't shown live on the BBC in the 70's, hardly any fights were. Mike Barrett & Mickey Duff's shows at the Albert Hall and Wembley Arena were held on a Tuesday night and shown on Sportsnight with Harry Carpenter on the Wednesday

I must rephrase that. European title fights involving British boxers. That’s what I meant to say..

[tony1234]

There’s too much sport available on tv/social media etc now. Too much choice. There’s no mystique to anything. Even going back 30 years it was exciting watching things like the World Cup or euros as it was a chance to see players you would never normally see. Now you can watch any game anywhere anytime on your phone. Same with boxing. European title fights in the 70’s were shown live on the BBC. How fckin crazy does that sound now. Even the old Friday fight nights on Sky seems an age ago. British and Comminwealth title fights every month…sigh getting all fckin nostalgic here ..

Boxing wasn't shown live on the BBC in the 70's, hardly any fights were. Mike Barrett & Mickey Duff's shows at the Albert Hall and Wembley Arena were held on a Tuesday night and shown on Sportsnight with Harry Carpenter on the Wednesday

I must rephrase that. European title fights involving British boxers. That’s what I meant to say..

I don't remember many European title fights being shown live, I started following boxing around 1977 as a nipper. I would go to bed with my radio to listen to the fights live as that was the only way to get the coverage, I'm not sure but I think Des Lynam commentated.
The first fight I remember watching live on BBC was Parlov v Conteh in 1978 on a Saturday night but it was ultra rare