By Elliot Foster
David Haye and Richard Schaefer have teamed up to begin a new promotional outfit.
The pair, who announced their deal at a press conference, will now work together for Hayemaker Ringstar after Haye’s Hayemaker Promotions and Schaefer’s Ringstar Sports merged.
The newly-formed company will sign a deal with a to-be-named “major” UK broadcaster and aims to be known “as the home of world champions and future world champions”, according to what was said at Friday’s London media briefing.
Schaefer, the former CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, only launched Ringstar last year and has signed Tony Yoka, Money Powell IV and siblings Carlos and Jose Balderas in recent times.
But he is now ready to make the jump into UK promotions after teaming up with Haye, while the deal ensures the heavyweight’s involvement within the sport will continue long after he has retired.
‘The joint venture with Hayemaker & Ringstar will send shockwaves through British boxing,” Haye said. “Together, we are creating a new kind of promotions entity. Throughout the history of boxing, the fighter has worked for the promoter, [but] the core values of Hayemaker Ringstar will turn this on its head.
“We will work for the fighter. This shift will impact an incredible sport in a hugely positive way. Hayemaker Ringstar will be renown for discovering amazing young talent, nurturing, empowering, and helping them to become global stars.
“The promoters who have dominated the British scene until now have done a good job. But with Richard’s unrivalled track record coupled with my first hand insight understanding the needs of a fighter through the evolution of their career Hayemaker Ringstar provides fighters with the perfect environment to maximise their potential, both in the ring and commercially.
“I have no doubt that Hayemaker Ringstar will become the UK’s leading promotional company.”
Schaefer will work with Haye for Hayemaker Ringstar as they promote Haye’s heavyweight clash with Tony Bellew, along with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, live on Sky Sports Box Office on March 4 at London’s O2 Arena.
“The UK is a great market for boxing, with exciting fighters and passionate fans,” Schaefer told the media, “and we’re determined to work with the most talented boxers to give people the fights they want to see.
“I’ve wanted to set up in the UK for a long time, but it was important to partner with a team who knows the market.
“I couldn’t ask for a better partner than David – we’re both incredibly passionate about the sport, we both want to put fighters first, and we’re both committed to bringing boxing to the masses.”
As well as working in the UK, the new team of Haye and Schaefer will look to promote in the States.
In other news, MGM Marbella have announced the signing of Patrick Mukala on a management deal.
The undefeated South African (7-0, 6 KOs) will challenge for the vacant WBA Pan African super-middleweight title on March 25 against Balema Weliya in his first outing under the guidance of new manager Matthew Macklin.
Mukala is trained by Andre Thysse and has stopped four of his seven victims to date, since turning professional back in August 2014, inside the opening stanza.
The management team at the Puerto Banus-based outfit are delighted with their latest capture.
“We have no doubt he will become a genuine force in the super-middleweight division,” they said.
“The WBA Pan African title is a great opportunity for Patrick at an early stage of his career and we are fully confident that he will earn his first title in explosive fashion.”
