Each BT Sport and Sky Sports activities excel on one other busy weekend for battle followers, writes George Gigney
Sky Sports activities are actually discovering their ft after the cut up with Matchroom Boxing, as this weekend highlighted how properly their new partnerships can work. On Friday night time, they aired the worldwide broadcast of a High Rank present headlined by Mikaela Meyer, in what turned out to be a breath-taking contest.
Going through Maiva Hamadouche in Las Vegas, Meyer earned a 10-round determination in a continuous battle. On paper, the battle was respectable sufficient however actually not a standout, nevertheless it ended up exceeding all expectations and was additional proof of Sky’s new cope with High Rank paying off.
The next night time, Sky then aired the BOXXER event from Liverpool, harkening again to the Prizefighter days. The format itself – an eight-fighter event of three-round fights all staged on one night time – is nothing new, however BOXXER and Sky have developed it right into a cleaner, up to date package deal with spectacular manufacturing worth.
The fights moved alongside at an honest clip and the commentary and punditry was good worth, significantly with Carl Froch dropping pearlers left, proper and centre. Natasha Jonas, who was unveiled as a everlasting member of Sky’s broadcast group, is a very good analyst and breaks down fights very properly.
BT Sport, after all, had the largest occasion of the weekend with Canelo Alvarez’ destructive win over Caleb Plant in Las Vegas. Curiously, the present was pay-per-view whereas UFC 268 was proven on common BT Sport.
268 was the UFC’s greatest card of the yr, with two main world title fights and several other different massive fights on a stacked present, and it was a PPV within the US. Nevertheless, BT supplied it up for no further cost to subscribers whereas the Canelo battle got here at a premium.
That isn’t to say Canelo is ‘larger’ than that UFC card – although he’s actually a extra distinguished identify than any of the person fighters on the UFC present – however is extra a mirrored image of BT’s dedication to getting as many massive fights as doable. Their PPV providing is probably going the principle motive they have been in a position to land the UK rights to Canelo-Plant, and so they have already got a long-term cope with the UFC.
The printed of Canelo-Plant was strong, and the BT commentary group managed to not get wrapped up within the redundant dialogue of what number of rounds Plant had gained earlier than he was stopped that was raging on social media.
Earlier within the night, BT additionally aired a present in Birmingham topped by Zach Parker’s stoppage win over Marcus Morrison. It was a enjoyable card with the three major fights all ending early. Since retiring earlier within the yr, Carl Frampton has joined BT Sport and is already proving to be a superb commentator and pundit, and on this night time was joined by David Haye, Joe Calzaghe and Mark Tibbs, all of whom additionally offered precious insights.
Additionally on Friday night time, Fightzone aired Dennis Hobson’s present from the Banqueting Corridor at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with super-welter Hannah Rankin persevering with her spectacular run in the principle occasion.
Sure, the manufacturing worth will not be in the identical league as Sky or BT Sport, however platforms like Fightzone are an essential avenue for these smaller exhibits to achieve extra publicity and produce in additional income. Whether or not the net service can proceed to carve out an area available in the market stays to be seen, but it surely’s so much higher for the game if these lesser-known playing cards have entry to a digital platform like this.
Podcasts
Chatting with Brian Custer on the Final Stand podcast, heavyweight contender Andy Ruiz Jnr gave off all of the indicators of a fighter again heading in the right direction after overindulging within the wake of his upset win over Anthony Joshua in 2019.
Now coaching alongside Canelo underneath the tutelage of Eddy Reynoso, he stated: “He [Canelo] provides everyone [in the gym] motivation as a result of all of us wanna be like him. After I’m sparring, he’s screaming at me, ‘F***ing practice more durable, you’ve gotta do issues how I do.’ I can’t say nothing [sic] again as a result of he’s the person.”
He plans to battle once more in January and overtly expressed a need to satisfy Deontay Wilder. On type, Ruiz is an thrilling a part of the heavyweight panorama and now coaching out of the most effective gyms on the planet can absolutely be concerned in some massive fights.
Web sites
Triller nonetheless gained’t go away and of their newest try at relevance have…created a brand new sport? On November 27 they’re launching ‘Triad Fight’ which is able to apparently permit for extra of the boxer vs MMA fighter matchups we’ve grown to completely hate. The ring will likely be triangular and holding will likely be allowed with no interruptions from the referee. Kubrat Pulev is on board to battle in addition to some retired UFC fighters.
Triller described the UFC as “previous” and stated the Triller product is focused at Gen Z, so that they’ve booked the right musical act to carry out for 18-24 year-olds – Metallica. The one motive this newest announcement is price mentioning is as a result of it’s so hilarious.
In one other indictment of how starved boxing followers are of fights between the perfect boxers in respective weight courses, there was widespread protection of a handshake this week. Teofimo Lopez shook promoter Eddie Hearn’s hand to agree, sooner or later, to battle Devin Haney.
That’s it. No contracts, no particulars, simply two males shaking palms and saying “yeah, alright.” This implies nothing, and it’s baffling that the encounter garnered a lot media consideration. Over the previous few weeks these lightweights have been buying and selling barbs within the media and getting in one another’s faces at boxing exhibits, however we’re no nearer to seeing them really battle one another.
It’s boring and pointless – simply tell us when you’ve signed contracts.
