A selection of British boxing’s leading figures have joined forces with Frank Warren’s BoxNation channel in an unprecedented deal that will guarantee greater TV exposure for their fighters.
Three rival promoters – Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton and Barry McGuigan – publicly confirmed their link-up with Warren for the first time in a press conference on Wednesday.
The four-way deal will see their stable of fighters showcased on the UK’s only dedicated subscription boxing channel, in a move which is widely seen as a show of force against fellow promoter Eddie Hearn’s exclusive boxing deal with Sky Sports.
Warren and his new allies, which also includes Amir Khan’s promotions company, Golden Boy and have agreed to place all their boxers and promotions together on the same channel for the first time, putting aside past grievances and high-profile disputes in the process.
In addition, BoxNation confirmed it is in final negotiations with Bill Ives, chairman of Rainham Steel, to acquire a major shareholding in the channel, giving it further long-term stability and finance to secure some of the sport’s biggest fights.
It is also thought that the channel hopes to launch a high-definition service “some time this year”.
Launched in September 2011, BoxNation was set up by promoter Frank Warren to provide a broadcast platform for his stable of fighters after his long-term deal with Sky Sports came to an end.
The channel has showcased a range domestic and international fights, much of which would be otherwise unseen by a UK audience.
Frank Warren said: “A lot of naysayers didn’t think we could achieve this but with hard work and dedication from some like-minded people who saw our vision, we are here – bigger and better than ever.
“BoxNation is now unquestionably the home of British Boxing. It has exclusive deals with a host of the world’s top promoters and their fighters. It has invested millions of pounds into UK and International boxing and will continue to do so.
The link-up between Hatton and Warren heals one of the most high-profile rifts in boxing which goes back to when the two parties split during the Manchester fighter’s peak as world champion in 2005.
“I’m delighted to have reached a deal with Ricky Hatton, one that many thought they would never see,” said Warren.
“However, Ricky and I, along with the other promoters and managers sitting here today see the importance in working together to deliver big opportunities for our fighters and in doing so, delivering major fights for subscribers and fans alike.
Hatton Promotions had been without a permanent TV deal since its split from Sky Sports in 2012.
Commenting on the deal with BoxNation, Ricky Hatton said: “BoxNation is a fantastic channel and is the first dedicated to boxing and boxing fans, I can see the platform going from strength to strength and this is a proud day for Hatton Promotions.”
“Hatton Promotions has a fantastic stable of young fighters and BoxNation is the best partner to showcase their talent.
“Together working alongside Frank Warren and the country’s leading boxing promotors we will be in a position to give boxing fans the fights they want to see.
“If you look at the combined talent signed to Hatton Promotions, Frank Warren and Frank Maloney that for me is the reason why BoxNation is the best boxing channel by far.”
Promoter Frank Maloney, who previously had a TV deal with Sky, said: “A lot of sports fans would miss out on seeing British boxing talent if it wasn’t for BoxNation.
“The channel has stopped boxing being a minority sport on TV.”
Barry McGuigan commented: “I’ve been involved in the sport of boxing since the early 1970s and the introduction of BoxNation, a dedicated boxing channel, which gives fans access to great fights all day, every day, is one of the best things that’s has happened to the sport.”
Over the past 20 months, BoxNation has broadcast 535 live professional fights including 94 World Championships, 30 British and Commonwealth Championships, 16 British regional Championships and 19 European Championships.
Recent top class highlights include British star Amir Khan in a thriller against Juan Diaz, the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter Floyd Mayweather Jnr masterclass performance against Robert Guerrero and Miguel Cotto, last year’s sensational and controversial heavyweight showdown between David Haye and Dereck Chisora which was the biggest live gate of last year.
BoxNation General Manager Jim McMunn said: “The last 18 months has been sensational for the channel and now with new agreements with the likes of Ricky Hatton and Barry McGuigan the future is only going to be even better.
“We have David Price in a couple of weeks, Chisora and Frampton on the Wembley Bill, Cleverly in Cardiff, Billy Joe Saunders v John Ryder at the Copper Box Arena and Amir Khan scheduled for the end of the year.
“Not to mention the fight the whole world wanted Mayweather vs Alvarez in September. We know what boxing fans want to see and we will continue to deliver for them.
BoxNation chairman Richard Brooke added: “BoxNation has an unrivalled schedule of fights. We aim to bring our viewers the best of British boxing and we are delighted to be associated with so many of Britain’s top promoters and boxers.
“We also bring major international names such as Adrien Broner, Saul Alvarez, Sergio Martinez and Guillermo Rigondeaux to the UK fans, fights which would otherwise go unseen.
“This has made BoxNation truly the Channel of Champions.”
An action-packed summer of boxing starts on BoxNation at the end of June with a thrilling clash between unbeaten champions Frank Gavin, the British Welterweight king, and Denton Vassell, the Commonwealth title holder.
On Saturday, July 6, the crucial heavyweight rematch between David Price and Tony Thompson will be shown live, as will the Wembley extravaganza on July 20 headlined by Dereck Chisora against Malik Scott, plus the all-action Carl Frampton, Gary O’Sullivan v Billy Joe Saunders and Paul Butler feature on the bill.
August’s live action is headlined by Nathan Cleverly’s WBO World Light-Heavyweight defence against the dynamite-punching Russian Sergey Kovalev at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena on August 17.
In September, the channel has the mouthwatering clash between unbeaten warriors Billy Joe Saunders v John Ryder at the Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on September 21.
Plus, the biggest fight in world boxing in 2013 is live on BoxNation – “The One” – between the world’s greatest fighter Floyd Mayweather Jnr and unbeaten sensation Saul Alvarez on Saturday, September 14, from Las Vegas.
Boxing fans can subscribe now to watch all these great fights and much more for just £10 per month – all live and exclusive on BoxNation.
The channel is available on Sky channel 437 and Virgin 546. To subscribe, visit www.boxnation.com
