Goodwin Aiming To Change Face of Small Hall Boxing

By Matt Bevan

British promoter Steve Goodwin is excited for 2016, as his promotional company continues its rapid growth, starting this Saturday when he provides the undercard for David Haye’s return at the O2 Arena in London, live on Dave in the UK.

Haye takes on Australian Mark de Mori in his first fight since 2012, whilst an eliminator for the British welterweight crown between John O’Donnell and Shayne Singleton could provide some fireworks before the main event.

Goodwin, whose shows regularly sell out the famous York Hall, also has some of his prospects on the card, in what is a huge opportunity for them and he is fast gaining a reputation as a promoter who puts on quality shows, with more and more fighters flocking to him every week.

Speaking to Boxing Scene, Goodwin told us: “[W]e’ve delivered with a good undercard. O’Donnell and Singleton is a great fight, whilst there will be plenty of exposure for some talented kids lower down the card.

“It was a shame that Billy Dib got injured and the Jamie Speight fight fell through, but it’s still a good card. The O’Donnell fight fills the gap between the real boxing fans who will be there all night and the Haye fans who are just there for the main event. Let’s be honest, it would have headlined a Sky Sports bill two, three years ago.

“I look after over 70 fighters and we’re delivering for them all the time, as we build them up the right way. We sell out the York Hall every time we’re there and develop our fighters the right way. There’s no point getting to 10-0 and then throwing them in the deep end to get battered. I don’t believe in that.”

There is more than enough evidence to suggest that Goodwin is true to his word, as some on his books, including Johnny Garton, Lawrence Bennett and Joe Mullender are edging ever closer towards English title shots.

He is also looking to expand the Goodwin brand further in 2016, with franchises being set up in different parts of the UK, including Portsmouth and Devon, with the hope of putting on 20 shows, as well as working with former world heavyweight champion Haye on the undercards during his comeback year.

The obvious aim for any smaller promoter is a TV deal, which they don't have yet, although Goodwin revealed he has turned down two offers, although a deal to provide video content for the Boxing News website is a step in the right direction.

“The Goodwin brand is growing with franchises and I want to change the face of boxing in the UK. Small hall shows aren't looked at very favourably as the TV money isn't there, but we are aiming to bring the standard up again in 2016.

“Our shows at York Hall have the big entrances, to make the lads feel like stars, but still retain the tradition of the venue. It’s generating interest and the atmosphere is fantastic, so TV companies are interested, but we’ve turned down two offers as they weren’t right for us or the boxers.

“We can get some exposure for our fighters with the Boxing News deal, where we’ll provide online content for a year and working more with David Haye. The public are paying attention to us and eventually we can reduce the burden of selling tickets on our fighters, so we can improve the deals they get. It’s exciting times ahead for Goodwin Boxing.”

Matt Bevan is part of Boxing Scene's UK team. Follow him on Twitter @MBevs68