By Edward Chaykovsky
Rumblings in the UK that promoters Frank Warren and Mick Hennessy had a falling out, as word came down that BoxNation withdrew their bid to secure the television rights to Tyson Fury's challenge of WBO/IBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko - scheduled for October 24th in Dusseldorf, Germany.
At the moment, Sky Sports stands alone in the UK bidding. BoxNation were preparing a £12 million bid which could have lifted Fury’s take above £4 million, according to a report in Daily Mail.
ITV, Channel 5 and BT unable to purchase a fight of this size and the BBC are not interested. Sky is the last man standing and that gives them negotiating power to call certain shots. They are expected to charge around £19.95 for the fight.
Rumors of friction between Warren and Hennessy first began last month, when Hennessy bypassed Warren to make a direct deal with Klitschko's promotional company only moments before the WBA's official purse bid was scheduled to begin.
Warren had sent Russian promoter Vladimir Hryunov to represent him. Hryunov had a bid prepared of $18 million which Warren was confident would have secured the fight for them and provided them with the power to bring Klitschko to the UK. Hryunov was stunned when the WBA advised him that Hennessey and K2 Promotions reached a deal.
Klitschko's manager, Bernd Boente, says there are other networks who are stepping up with interest in the UK, but wouldn't reveal their names.
"We are now opening talks with two of three other companies not so far named who are showing a strong interest," Boente said.