RICKY HATTON has vowed to give his talent stacked stable a new television home after Hatton Promotions split from Sky Sports. The boxing world was shocked when the television network decided not to give the European Promoters of the Year any further dates after their Manchester Velodrome super show on Saturday June 16.
Former two-weight world champion 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.
But Hatton who has produced many champions in less than three years as a promoter believes it is a new beginning for his mushrooming brand that includes a member’s gym, a clothing range and a TV network.
The Hitman said: “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.”
Hatton Promotions final Sky bill on June 16 is their biggest ever and proof of the quality in their stable.
LINE UP: Scott Quigg v Rendall Munroe (vacant WBA interim super-bantamweight title), Ryan Rhodes v Sergey Rabchenko (vacant European light-middleweight title), Martin Murray v S/O (Title to be announced), Richard Towers v Michael Wallisch (vacant EU heavyweight title), Craig Watson v S/O, Adam Etches v S/O, Scott Jenkins v S/O, Ryan Doyle v S/O, Jimmy Kelly v S/O.
Ticket prices are now on sale priced £125 (VIP Inner Ringside + exclusive cash bar), £100 Ringside, £55, £35 and £30. You can purchase tickets by calling Hatton Promotions hotline 01925 755 222/www.ticketmaster.co.uk/0844 847 2500/www.ticketline.co.uk/0844 888 4402/www.hmv.com
For all the latest updates please follow the Twitter account dedicated to fight @quiggvmunroe
Debut BoxAcademy Show Postponed due to O’Meara Withdrawal
Due to the withdrawal of Steve O’Meara, who was scheduled to appear in the main attraction fight of the first instalment of BoxAcademy this Thursday night at The Troxy, Queensberry Promotions have been given no option but to postpone the show.
O’Meara had complained of a breathing problem early this week and sought out further expert medical advice. Despite his best efforts the problem would not have subsided in time before his contest with Bradley Pryce on Thursday.
Further updates concerning the upcoming schedule will be made later this week.
Queensberry Promotions apologizes to the 1,500 supporters who bought tickets and ask that they go to their point of purchase to receive a full refund.
For further information please contact Ben Murphy at benmurphy@frankwarren.com
Terrance Cauthen vs. The new Ray Robinson on May 12th
Newtown, PA—It’s official: State Championship Boxing is coming to the Newtown Athletic Club. Terrance The Heat Cauthen and The New Ray Robinson will battle for 10 rounds, or less, for the vacant Pennsylvania Welterweight Title on Saturday evening, May 12, at the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC), 120 Pheasant Run, Newtown, PA.
Cauthen (36-7, 9 K0s), who has held the NABF junior welterweight title, NABA junior welterweight title and USBA junior middleweight title, won a bronze medal for the United States at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
By contrast, Robinson (13-2, 5 K0s) has never fought for a title and has been waiting for this opportunity since he turned pro in 2006.
“I am ready for this; it is going to be a good fight, said Robinson. “It is time for Cauthen to pass the torch; it is my time to shine.”
To get here, it’s been a long and winding road for Cauthen, who first went to Joe Frazier’s Gym and later represented Philadelphia at the 1996 Olympic Games. His Philadelphia teammates included Gold Medalist David Reid and Zahir Raheem. Since then, only Rock Allen has been able to represent Philadelphia at the Olympics, doing it in 2004.
Others on that well-known 1996 US Olympic team were Floyd Mayweather, David Diaz, Fernando Vargas and Antonio Tarver. All four professional boxing championships.
Though he lives in Trenton, NJ, Cauthen was adopted by Philadelphia, the same as old-timers like former NABF light-heavyweight champ Richie Kates, of Millville, NJ, and current heavyweight contender Eddie Chambers, of Pittsburgh, PA.
Cauthen has already been in Robinson’s shoes and he knows his role in the fight game. He understands the hunger Robinson has and the skills that go along with it.
Though Robinson did not box on the Olympic team, he was on the US national team which traveled internationally to compete. He has boxed in Russia, Italy, and Turkey among others. Cauthen may be the more experience fighter, but that is only because of his age. Robinson is more experienced than many fighters at his age due to his amateur and professional background.
This bout will determine not only the PA Welterweight Champion, but also who is the best local southpaw at 147 pounds.
ABOUT MAY 12
The Robinson-Cauthen fight tops an eight-bout card at the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC). First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets priced at $50, $75, and $100 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922), www.peltzboxing.com and at the Newtown Athletic Club. The card is being promoted by Bam Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with the NAC.
Please visit our site www.bamboxingpromotions.com and sign up for our mailing list to find out about our future events!