Bottom line seems to be that boxing cant take off in this country without TV coverage from our National Broadcaster. Since RTE are taxpayer-funded they just might be suceptable to some clever lobbying if it was done right. . But how to organise something that would be effective?.Boxing fans are so fragmented and disunited....I dunno ..??? Social media???
I suppose lobbying would help keep abusing them on social media they might notice. But up to promotors and fighters to provide a proven package, good quality fights etc . More and more pros in Ireland and most willing to fight each other so Irish v Irish is way to go then hopefully TV will follow when fights , atmosphere and crowds ensure that TV aren't taking a risk. Hopefully the ban on MTK fighters competing in republic is lifted. Don't see any difference in risk to public and fighters up north than down here. Fights like Geraty and Tennyson would have made great viewing for RTE.
I can't understand it. Boxing is made for tv. An action sport with a guaranteed ad break every 3 minutes! A proven winner for Tv. Suppose the ridiculous cost of an "outside broadcast unit" in RTE is a factor...they're all highly unionised workers and on tip top rates of pay. A way around this TV coverage problem might be the much leaner tv3??? As regards the MTK ban..I totally agree Luke..what a farce.....
Whilst all the above are valid points especially the ad break situation i believe its a main big business sponsorship that is missing, The cost of outside broadcast is ridiculous if some figures are to be believed,and this is why you would require a major sponsor to cover this cost ie hunky dorys with brian peters, Rte had no bother showing Mick Conlans debut fight once they got it for free recently and even delayed coverage of some irish shows would be a huge bonus, Look put munster versus leinster on in any rugby ground in Ireland and you will get 20k there, we have our euro,world and olympic medalists in the stadium and cant get 1200 down there, (that was a figure i heard of the elite finals night recenty),if im a business why would i pay to sponsor boxing over rugby when the figures speak to themselves, So say what you want a bout the D4s of this world at least they go out and actively support their sport and this is what pulls in the sponsors,
Anyone like to hazard a guess as to who Carl will face in Windsor Park this summer? How about Abner Mares? Nonito Donaire? Both would probably travel....
i think what will make or break irish boxing at the professional level will be the success of our top fighters if conlan,barnes,quigley,frampton and another all held world titles at the same time, pro boxing would suddenly become very hot same as when bernard dunne was an attraction, other fighters then got more air time. it helped he wass from dublin we need a big star or two to act as a conduit for publicity and popularity for other boxers. Think of irish mma, when mcgregor broke through he was a one man show, if another irish mma start was starting off now, who knows rte might get behind him big time in the hope of a return. We need someone like quigley to make it big though i also feel rte is a complete joke that is overfunded and produces crap, tv3 has no where near the budget and is still doing well. we need a free market to decide what the customer wants not a channel that uses government money and is only interested in themselves
Fought a few times Con always won by a big margin in computuer scoring, Pro game is obviously very diffrent but id expect the same result,
Welcome...I just hope ye aint paying him too much cos you're effectively paying him twice now.....remember your tax pays his wages. If he gives you any lip in the build-up - remind him of that!