By Frank Warren, courtesy of The Sun
I'VE HAD some great moments and a few downers in my 30-odd years in boxing.
But Thursday was one of the biggest days when the new TV channel BoxNation was announced.
After a lot of hard work and perseverance from a lot of dedicated people the launch date of September 30, 2011 was announced.
It is now all systems go for the channel that can be found on Sky platform channel 456 and very soon on Virgin.
BoxNation is setting a precedent in that it's the first dedicated boxing channel in Britain. It will be free-to-air before becoming a subscription channel by the end of the year.
It will show eight live events per month plus provide up-to-date news, magazine features and show some of the great old fights from yesteryear for £10 per month.
Big fights lined up until the end of the year include world title fights with the likes of Nathan Cleverly/Tony Bellew, Bernard Hopkins/Chad Dawson, Mikkel Kessler/Robert Stieglitz and Ricky Burns/Michael Katsidis in the coming months.
Plus there will be major amateur tournaments like the World Amateur Championships and the Royal Albert Hall Cup while the fast-emerging Mixed Martial Arts will feature shortly.
The face of boxing Jim Rosenthal will be presenting and joining him will be favourites John Rawling and Paul Dempsey commentating on the live events.
BoxNation have inked exclusive deals with Germany's top promoter Sauerland Promotions for their live fights and some Golden Boy Promotions fights will be appearing live on the channel.
BoxNation's first show will feature Liam Walsh's Commonwealth super-featherweight title defence against Paul Appleby.
With two live fights a week the schedule is going to be hectic and challenging and it reminds me of my early days on ITV when I did 45 shows in one year on the channel.
I'M delighted George Groves has been nominated the Best Young Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Writers' Club.
I signed George last month and he'll defend his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles in a belter against Paul Smith at Wembley Arena on November 5.
May You Learn, Ortiz
THE first rule of boxing is to defend yourself at all times.
And that is what Victor Ortiz didn't do in his WBC World Welterweight defence against Floyd Mayweather Jnr in Las Vegas.
After backing Mayweather into a corner, Ortiz blatantly put the nut on him.
He kissed and hugged him — as if to say sorry — while ref Joe Cortez deducted a point.
The fight resumed but while Cortez looked away, Mayweather threw a fast combination that dropped Ortiz — he didn't make the 10-count.
It created a huge controversy. But it is ridiculous to blame Mayweather for cheating, especially when he was deliberately being headbutted in the fight.
Fully Loaded
THERE'S nothing like controversy from a first fight to build up the rematch.
Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito will do it again on Dec 3 in New York — three years since their initial meeting where Margarito knocked Cotto out in eleven rounds. Questions still linger as to whether or not Margarito used plaster-hardened hand wraps in the contest.
Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank said 65% of tickets went on the first day of sales.
ONE of the greatest trainers, George Benton, 78, has passed away after battling pneumonia.
Known as the 'Professor', he was forced to retire as a fighter when he was shot in the back in a bar altercation.
He then worked with many greats including Joe Frazier in his 'Thrilla in Manila' fight against Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Mike McCallum. He will be sorely missed.
For up to date boxing news and reviews visit www.frankwarren.tv