Wazza & Sky Fall-out?

It won’t be true. It’ll just be the normal of a promoter saying “I want more money for X, X and X to stay on Sky” and they’ll respond, “But promoter, your PPV fights attract terrible numbers and deliver poor value to our customers. You can go back to normal Sky until you build an attraction worthy of attention.”

Promoter then huffs, goes to terrestrial channels, is utterly rebuffed, and comes back to Sky with tail between legs.

ITV’s brief run with boxing was the best thing that happened to the sport in the UK since it moved to Sky in the first place. Look at what it did for Calzaghe’s career! Look at how it made Amir Khan a genuine attraction!

Imagine if Carl Froch had stayed on ITV and they’d really pushed him. Imagine if he’d even been on 5. He’d have been huge after those thrilling fights with Taylor and Kessler. It’s shameful what short-term thinking is doing to this sport. And all it would take is promoters working together and getting the best deal for the industry.

 

I'm not defending Harrison across the board, but he was offered a shot at the world title and a good pay cheque to boot, he was hardly going to turn it down. He had no control over whether it got to ppv or not, so on this occasion I don't think that it was his fault. Most would have taken that fight. That would have been an interesting fight for some had it been on regular Sky, it disappointed as it was billed as ppv. That is either Sky's fault, or Hayemaker's fault, or a combination of the two.

 

interesting thoughts, and i'd agree with the final 2 paras.
i made a similar thought the other day - look how from 1 fight on 5 tyson fury has suddenly become 1 of the best known fighters in the u.k. i just wonder whether there are 1 or 2 other disaffected boxers out there who might be thinking that going over to hennessy and channel 5 would be a damn good career move

 

Indeed. Maybe John Murray should move back. Hasn't done him much good, has it? Gave up his European title to fight a domestic rival and promotional stablemate and then got done. Way to go!