30.08.05 – Following 10 years of promoting at Britain’s premier indoor arena, the Manchester Evening News Arena, Sports Network are delighted to announce that it has reached agreement with SMG (Europe) Ltd who manage the arena. The agreement continues until 31st December 2006 with a mutual option to extend to 31st December 2007 and provides for Sports Network to be the exclusive boxing promoter at the arena..
British boxing’s biggest names have excited countless thousands of fans at the M.E.N Arena, now recognised as the home of boxing including world champions: Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, Scott Harrison Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, Prince Naseem Hamed, Steve Collins, Herbie Hide and Robin Reid.
In addition, the biggest stars from abroad have also featured at the M.E.N Arena including: Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright, Jeff Lacy, Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns, Sharmba, Mitchell Vince Phillips, Harry Simon and Sugar Boy Malinga.
Ultimately, who could forget the night Former Undisputed World Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson made his European debut against Julius Francis in January 2000. More recently superstar Kostya Tszyu was involved in an epic fight against Hatton in June. Both events become the fastest selling boxing events ever in the UK and also set records for indoor attendances.
Promoter Frank Warren commented, “I am absolutely delighted to have entered into this agreement with SMG management and our past working relationship over the last ten years illustrates that their expertise in their field and our expertise in boxing compliments each other perfectly,”
He added, “I feel privileged to be in a position to deliver the very best boxing has to offer to the very best venue that the UK has to offer,”
“The M.E.N has witnessed some fantastic and historic nights since we first promoted there in 1996 with Nigel Benn-Steve Collins and the rematch straight after,”
“In America, Madison Square Garden is the Mecca of boxing and the M.E.N Arena, due to our alliance, is now in a position to match that status in Britain.”
John Knight, General Manager of the M.E.N Arena said “We have always enjoyed working with Sports Network on one-off events. However, this exclusivity – which is initially for one year – gives both parties the opportunity to plan and schedule a range of fights throughout 2006. Sports Network’s deal with ITV also means the M.E.N. Arena will further establish itself as the home of televised boxing in the UK.”