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We have a big year in the offing on BoxNation – soon to be broadcasting in tandem with BT Sport – and I am delighted that we are set to kick off our domestic programme of events in the fine fighting city of Belfast.
The sport of boxing can rarely have been more buoyant in this country, with home fighters galore in possession of world championship belts. With that in mind, it remains a source of bemusement to me that the fight game still struggles to capture the imagination of the print media.
Once again, the sport of boxing was given short shrift when they were handing out the gongs in the New Year’s honours list. It is increasingly difficult to fathom the logic that is applied to the awarding of these honours. It used to be the case that they were very much rooted in good works for charity or in the community, no matter what you might have achieved in your chosen field.
The year of 2017 will, I suspect, probably be the most prosperous time for the sport of boxing for many a long time. With talented youngsters taking up the game in record numbers and television coverage increasing to previously unchartered levels, it can only be good for the fight business and, more importantly, those who support the sport.
I am currently compiling quite a shopping list of fights I would like to put together in 2017. Fortunately, or unfortunately – whichever way you look at it – I have developed fairly expensive tastes when it comes to boxing and big fights don’t come cheap.
You will not be surprised to learn that we are planning on making a few trips to Leeds in 2017 after we dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s on our deal to promote the extremely promising career of Josh Warrington.
The standout performer, for me, on a busy weekend of televised boxing was a man who I believe has greatness within him. Now I don’t make such statements about too many boxers, but Terence ’Bud’ Crawford really does look the part and already one of the very best in the business.
The first of Tyson Fury’s recently relinquished titles is now under new ownership after Joseph Parker just about did enough to overcome Andy Ruiz jnr in Auckland on Saturday morning, live on BoxNation.
There is a tasty double helping of boxing for fight fans to feast on this weekend and on Saturday morning there is even the option of boxing for breakfast. BoxNation has got something for the early birds and the night owls this week, with viewers able to tune in from 8am on Saturday for the intriguing heavyweight title fight between Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz jnr.
You have to give Billy Joe Saunders ten out of ten for honesty following his uncomfortably tight victory over Artur Akavov on Saturday night in Glasgow. The fingers on one hand more than suffice when it comes to marking his performance in the fight.