Ricky Hatton has vowed to give his stable of fighters a new television home after confirming that Hatton Promotions has split from Sky Sports.
The boxing world was shocked to learn that the broadcaster decided not to give his company any further dates after their Manchester Velodrome super show on June 16.
Former two-weight world champion Hatton claims he has been “unfairly treated” by Sky Sports bosses, with the broadcaster confirming that they are focusing on “quality rather than quantity” when they put together their boxing schedule for 2012/2013.
Hatton has played a huge part in Sky’s success story in the last decade earning them millions and breaking British television pay-per-view records.
His stable has been supported by Sky since its July 2009, but the broadcaster has been forced to cut its boxing output by half from next season, with 40 fight nights expected to be reduced to just twenty events.
This reduction is believed to have been made so that Sky can meet the cost of its expensive football and Formula 1 contracts.
Hatton has produced several champions in less than three years as a promoter, but believes it is a new beginning for his mushrooming brand that includes a member’s gym, a clothing range and an online TV network.
The Hitman broke his silence on the split with Sky in a press release: “The news came as a blow and I feel we have been unfairly treated, but there are meetings already set up with other TV channels.
“Next season I am very confident that my fighters will have a big television platform to perform on.
“I have a great stable of fighters, many champions and a hard working team. TV companies have contacted me – not me them which is encouraging.
“It shows the great promotions I have staged for Sky hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Last month I promoted a potential Fight of the Year between Anthony Crolla and Derry Mathews for Sky and we’re staging the ‘Road to Glory’ card next month which will be our final Sky date.
“When I started promoting three years ago my plan was to build a successful stable and produce champions.
“I have done that, producing many British, Commonwealth, European and International champions, and world title challengers.
“Just as Hatton Promotions were making their mark, Sky Sports have told me we haven’t got any more dates after the June 16 card.”
Hatton Promotions were told that their contract was not being renewed in a short e-mail from Sky’s Head of Sport, Barney Francis almost two weeks ago.
He added: “The most disappointing aspect of it all is the relationship I had with Sky until almost two weeks ago.
“It isn’t rocket science to work out how well I did for Sky Sports as a boxer and a promoter.
“I was their first world champion to come through without terrestrial TV, gave them their biggest Box Office successes ever and helped make them millions of pounds.
“They repaid me by telling me I had no more dates by e-mail.
“There was no phone call to me or anything like that and even the e-mail was sent to my Director of Boxing, Richard Poxon – not me.
“If you finish with a girlfriend by e-mail all your mates would be calling you some right names. I obviously have better morals than they do.
“Since the news broke it is amazing the amount of support shown towards Hatton Promotions from fans, journalists and even rival promoters.
“Hatton Promotions isn’t going anywhere and we will be back on TV in the new season delivering high class shows for a new broadcast partner.”
Sky Sports retains its contracts with Matchroom Boxing, who promote Prizefighter, Carl Froch and Kell Brook, and Frank Maloney’s stable of fighters, including David Price.
Possible future TV partners for Hatton Promotions include Channel 5, who screen Mick Hennessy’s shows, and the bespoke boxing channel BoxNation, run by veteran promoter Frank Warren.
Hatton Promotions’ final bill on Sky Sports will be ‘Road To Glory’, which will take place at Manchester Velodrome on Saturday 16th June.
Topping the bill is an ‘interim’ WBA world super-bantamweight title fight between Bury’s Scott Quigg and Leicester’s Rendall Munroe, in what promises to be one of the biggest domestic clashes this year.
