ITV confirm no boxing in 2010 - "Boxing is not not economically sustainable"

Although it sucks, it's not unexpected. It's only the Hennessy deal anyway so we're not completely missing out. I'm sure someone will pick up the Hennessy contract, but it would be hilarious if no-one wanted one with him. Pack your bags, Mick.

 

Based upon the quality of the shows being offered, it is 100% true.

You have to make TV want to televise. Coverage isn't a right after all.

Someone, somewhere along the line is going to have to take a paycut - this might be promoters, fighters or whoever, to boost the quality of shows to make a company other than Sky want to screen it.

With other sports, they know what they are getting when they sign a deal. Six Nations Rugby, Challenge Cup rugby, cricket highlights and so on. Boxing is pretty random, it must be said.

 

ITV even wanted to scrap Primevil so this is not a surprise.

 

Yep boxing is **** compared to those amazing tv specials.

 

Well they're keeping Harry Hill's TV Burp so I can almost forgive them.

 

It will mean if Hennessy wants his fights on tv he will have to drop his valueation down to get some station on board. Not the greatest group of fighters to try and market to tv companies but Froch will be the key fighter some tv stations may want so if they work it out right then Froch could be back on SKY getting the push he deserves or even ESPN.

 

I do not mind the odd advert break. I pop the kettle on or go for a quick loo break.

ITV are making huge cut backs everywhere so I doubt whatever crap Hennesey has done will have anything to do with the decision to drop the sport from the schedule.

 

To be honest, they probably are paying him too much for the **** he's churned out in recent months. The main events are usually decent,although theres been a few dodgy ones (O'Donnell v Glover and Murray v Lawton-total mismatches) but the undercards have been dogawful. They started off quite well towards the end of last year, I remember they had Danny Williams, Junior Witter and English title fights early on but now its just people I haven't heard of or hugely overrated prospects that come unstuck within their first couple of fights against journeyman.

It's bad for Boxing that itv are pulling out, no doubt but I won't particularly miss his shows-something I never thought I'd say when he was putting on good quality shows from top to bottom earlier in the year.

Hopefully he can get his act together and maybe have some domestic FTA shows on this Primetime channel. I dunno. It's no surprise itv have pulled out, and that email response sums it up really.

 

Think finch and rob are right. Southern area title fights are generally not good undercards (rare exceptions like tony salaam-George groves when this happens). They are too long and too often are between two mediocre fighters who have no business fighting ten rounds, ie mcdonagh-purdy. Would you get two conference south football teams taking u an hour of primetime coverage and costs?

Far better to have competitive six or four round fights and not **** like fury's little brother. A maximum of one contender walkover fight a night.

People trust there to be good fights throughout ufc cards. They don't expect good boxing bills and who can blame them.

Costs could be brought down by having a one-camera set up and even courier tapes to local station to put out within an hour of event going on.

IMO bbbofc could help by allowing people to drink skiffs while watching fights. Does the sport no good having empty crowds. Gives immediate impression fights don't matter.

 

Whats changed????. Was it not economically sustainable all them years ago when they were showing Benn, Eubank and co. I think its safe to say that it would cost a lot more then than now. There something not quite right about there reasoning.

 

That's it ITV, keep showing **** like Coronation St, Emmerdale & other bollock otherwise known as Soaps!