'Time for the BBC and ITV to take boxing seriously'

Wednesday 17 August 2011 by Paul Foley


With the exception of Sky Sports, boxing fans have been largely starved of their regular fight feast ever since terrestrial channels decided to pull the plug on a sport that has always brought in big viewing figures.

Those not willing to shell out at least £40 extra per month on top of their annual BBC licence fee are immensely grateful to the internet for providing mass round-the-clock boxing coverage including live streams of big bouts.

It is a far cry from the days of the 1980s and 1990s when BBC and ITV provided an outlet that first ignited my now seemingly lifelong passion for the modern-day gladiator duel.

Wednesday and Saturday nights regularly hosted top British names, such as Barry McGuigan, Frank Bruno, Duke McKenzie, Lloyd Honeyghan, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank with commentary from legends Harry Carpenter and Reg Gutteridge.

Long after the action had ended the debate continued in my school classroom and playground with several of us all keen to prove we were the expert.

The newspapers also recognised boxing alongside football and cricket for the major sport it was as McGuigan and Bruno enjoyed their celebrity status.

However once Rupert Murdoch's empire took its almost exclusive foothold on pugilism during the mid-1990s boxing became a secondary sport.

Many newspaper editors decided boxing now no longer deserved or demanded a place on the back page.

Thankfully trade papers Boxing News and Boxing Monthly kept the fight flag flying as football increasingly became the mass obsession.

The BBC made a brief attempt to get back in the ring by signing 2000 Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison, but a series of substandard opponents and dire contests gave the corporation its final confirmation that boxing was no longer worth the time, money and audience.

In more recent times ITV screened the likes of Carl Froch who should now be one of the most renowned faces in British sport following his ever-enthralling battles.

Amazingly ITV once again threw in the towel despite huge audiences and positive feedback.

The radio stations have also played a massive part in ignoring boxing and unless a fight is deemed massive in their eyes it doesn't get a mention.

But despite the rejection, the noble art has fought on.

Weekend shows are still well attended and the fight army listen in their droves to BBC Five Live and BBC London's Boxing Hour.

Last month Channel 5 announced their arrival on the boxing scene by screening the British and Commonwealth heavyweight clash between Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury.

Despite the two being largely unknown to the wider public the show peaked at 2.9 million viewers, encouraging the channel to publicly declare its much-needed long-term commitment.

Boxing is still in a healthy condition with four British world champions Amir Khan, Carl Froch, Ricky Burns and Nathan Cleverly in addition to a host of potential additions including Kell Brook, Darren Barker and Kevin Mitchell.

Sky to its credit, has been the sole long-term TV backer and without its loyalty boxing may have become a minor sport.

There can be no rational reason as to why BBC and ITV continue their stubborn stance.

The last three Olympics have seen Britain capture two gold medals from Audley Harrison and James DeGale, while Bolton sensation Amir Khan captured silver.

With such an impressive record you would think financial backers would be lining up in their droves to back a sport that has offered many a misguided youngster an opportunity for prosperity.

Furthermore in the wake of nationwide youth looting the government would also be well advised to ensure struggling amateur clubs are adequately resourced.

These clubs are the lifeblood to many communities as volunteers pour endless hours into young men who one day may stand on a podium instead of being wasted in prison.

Boxing has always had its fair share of knockers, but wouldn't even the anti-fight brigade prefer their screens to be filled with images of two disciplined and respectful competitors battling it out?

Are you listening BBC and ITV?