BT to buy Boxnation!!

I love debating with you, Rob. You have an amazing ability to completely wipe all memory of things you've said. I can't be bothered searching through your old posts, but you said on one of the "Hearn <3 Sky" threads that Matchroom holding a monopoly over Sky's boxing is the best thing for boxing.

Let's cover a couple of these assumptions:

1 - production quality. Outside of Sky Sports News, I'd argue Sky isn't that slick. The BBC is frequently better, even with a lower budget. Sky only recently got into full in-house productions, before it spent a lot on external agencies to do its production work.
2 - BT has the finances to just pump money into production, unlike BN did at start-up. ESPN UK, with no in-house infrastructure, was churning out presentations that rivalled Sky's for production values.
3 - Frank's lack of loyalty isn't the issue since BT is clearly buying the overall product, including the deals with GBP and Top Rank. Also, it has the benefit of being the last game in town. Where else does Frank go? Sky's shut its doors to him, Five isn't looking to expand, and ITV is off the radar.

I agree with the first part, but why aren't you banging on at Sky for that?

I don't think Eddie is very forward thinking either. Sending out tweets doesn't strike me as anything particularly innovative, and that seems to be the only significant difference between him and Frank.

Plus, judging someone now, when everything is in his favour, won't give you much to work with.

 

I do beleive that the Matchroom approach to promoting is the way forward for boxing in this country. So yes I will support him.

You see boxing not being on Sky every week as a negative but I and many others disagree. The product has dramatically improved for several reasons. More competitive fights, more live fights per show, better production. I don't think putting out a poor product is good for the sport.

Sky's MO for Boxing is Big Shows, Big Events. Only two promotional companies are capable of doing that and neither could do more than 12 shows like that per year with there current stable.

I have one key reason to suggest that Frank working with BT will lead to the old Sky situation. Frank has done the same thing every channel he has been with. ITV, Sky, Setanta and Box Nation. It's always been the same ****.

 

I was right!

And I'd argue the fights have not been much better. Decent main events (with some pish ones too), the same appalling commentary, pundit team and presentation. Ringside is a gigantic pile of pus every week. Where are the better production values?

Sky's MO excludes the very promoters you were claiming to champion.

But BT isn't buying Frank, it's buying his content deals with GBP and Top Rank. Frank does nothing for them unless he provides solid content - there's no way a new operator will sign exclusives with one guy. It would be stupid.

And you're completely ignoring the good cards and the good fights Frank has put on. But you've made your mind up and, because if it, you're just trying to prove you're right.

I have no loyalty to either side, I just want more boxing on TV.

 

No DF you have a wonderful ability to remember things in a way that fits your agenda. I have never said a monopoly would be a good thing for boxing. I have said that Hearn having an exclusive contract with Sky was a good thing (NOT a monopoly).

Its not an assumption its an opinion which you need to start to understand people on here are more entitled to have.

1 - I disagree having watched various sports across multiple channels including the BBC and Sky. The 2nd point is irrelevant to the conversation.
2 - I have a fear that ***** will have to much involvement in that side of things.
3 - It's not clear to anybody what the ins and the outs of the deal is at this stage, and whether those deals will cross over. Perhaps this is true but we thought the same thing about Box Nation. The doors are shut at 5, ITV and Sky because Frank burnt his bridges there.

Because Sky's MO is to produce big shows. They had a situation where they were working with 4 promoters. In 2010 they were all told that they wanted better match making and big events. Frank dropped halfway throughout the contract to start his own channel, Hatton & Maloney didn't deliver. So they wen't with Hearn...who has shown a willingness to co promote by working with Hobson, Coldwell and making offers to Maloney. I don't have an issue with a TV Company picking one promoter to work with. 5 have Hennsey, Sky have Hearn, I was just saying I wish BT would have looked elsewhere.

I disagree with you regarding innovative promotion. I have some questions for you.
What was the last show you attended?
What was the last Matchroom and Frank shows you attended?
Did you go with friends who were casual fans? if so what were the opinions?

Sorry I didn't understand what you meant by this. can you explain?