UK Boxing Coverage...

**TheHoff!** · 04-04-2006, 02:04 PM

I'm just grateful that ITV signed a deal with Frank Warren. British television has been void of any major boxing bouts for many years now and at least we are finally getting to see some quality fights back on the box and dont have to pay ridiculous ppv prices to see them.

As for British terristrial tv showing the superfights like Judah - Mayweather and such like, to be honest i never expected them to. It was a major commitment for ITV to bring boxing back bearing in mind the controversy that surrounded the way it was taken off our screens after the tragedy's of Gerald McClellan and Michael Watson, so for them to go all the way and try and get the superfights back as well would be stretching it at this stage. And I dont think the bbc would bother after their experiment with boxing and the deal with Audley Harrison pretty much failed.

I think the reason ITV signed the contract with Warren was because Amir Khans success at the olympics sparked the publics interest in boxing again, but mostly that was a patriotic interest in seeing a british fighter do well. So signing Warrens stable of british boxers makes sense as it taps into that patriotic boxing interest and people will get to see the likes of Amir Khan, Joe Calzaghe, Danny Williams etc...but i think for the superfights they would have to put in a significant financial outlay and the reward in terms of the rating figures would not reflect their outlay as the british general public at large doesnt really know who Erik Morales, Zab Judah, Manny and even James Toney or Mayweather are so it will only be dedicated boxing fans tuning in...which is a shame but still, at least we got to see Calzaghe beat up Lacy.

**glenspen** · 04-04-2006, 02:30 PM

I'm a brit living in america and I'm just glad that they are showing all of Ricky's fights over here now...and probably all of Joe's. It's a shame we don't get to see any Khan fights...I guess I'll have to wait a few years till he starts dominating the lightweight division and comes across bigger names.

**TheHoff!** · 04-04-2006, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by glenspen

I'm a brit and I'm just glad that they are showing all of Ricky's fights over here now...and probably all of Joe's. It's a shame we don't get to see any Khan fights...I guess I'll have to wait a few years till he starts dominating the lightweight division and comes across bigger names.

We do get to see all of Khan's fights but unfortunately I dont think we'll be seeing any of Hatton's fights as he's not with Warren any more so not part of that deal, and he's just signed with HBO.

**DarkSpyder** · 04-04-2006, 02:57 PM

All of Khan's fights have been on TV so far.....;-)

Spinal, I share your sentiments, like you said Warren & ITV are doing an ok job at the moment, but I have Sky too, so if the fights were shown on there I would be more than happy. Maybe I am expecting a bit too much, but I don't think Sky would have to pay a King's ransom for those bouts I have mentioned because know ITV would not be prepared to bid for these sort of fights. ITV know that the British public, as you said, are quite unaware about the majority of the boxers you have mentioned, thus the two companies wouldn't enter into a war, consequencially keeping the price down for Sky.

Even if Sky just showed the replays on Sunday morning I would be happier but they are sporadic at best when it comes to this. It just makes me laugh when they give such extensive coverage to sports such as Basketball (which will never be as popular as boxing over here).

In fairness, my post was a little too emotional and not very well thought out when it comes to terrestrial television, but I'm just annoyed about the lack of non-British boxing on our screens!

**TheHoff!** · 04-04-2006, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by Lpurchase

I'm just annoyed about the lack of non-British boxing on our screens!

Yeah, I know what you mean. I havent even got sky. I've just been streaming the fights that have been worth watching, which is decent but not the same as watching it on tv.

**DarkSpyder** · 04-04-2006, 03:09 PM

Whats the best site for streaming these fights?

**TheHoff!** · 04-04-2006, 03:15 PM

I've been using stream tv now dot com which has been pretty decent. They show all the hbo ppv fights but unfortunately didnt show the Haye - johanson fight on sky which i was pissed off about cause i missed it and still aint seen it. They'll definately be showing Mayweather- judah though and i think winky - taylor as well... You have to pay but it's only $3 a month which is nothing really.

**Spinz** · 04-04-2006, 03:43 PM

anyway i can get an audio report of the Mayweather-Judah fight? is there any US radio stations that will be reporting it live on the net?

plz!!!! i need to see/hear this fight somehow.

**L0dgef0rm** · 04-08-2006, 04:19 AM

Originally posted by Lpurchase

...I would just like to state how ****ed off I am about the coverage we get for fights on British television. When I saw that the Judah-Mayweather bout is nowhere to be seen this Sunday morning, I almost choked on my coffee. ITV have started to get back some of the big fights from Sky, but why won't they ****ing show the superbouts where there are no Brits involved? I take it that means we'll be missing out on Tarver-Hopkins & Wright-Taylor too?!

SORT IT OUT!

Go to Skysports.com and then go to feedback and let them know you're not happywith the service they're providing. Thats what I've done.

cheer

UK Boxing Coverage...