Guest writer Andrew Mullinder comments on the furore surrounding the announcement Amir Khan’s next bout is to cost SKY subscribers an additional £14.99 to watch, despite featuring an unknown Colombian and lacking the global significance typically found at the core of most pay-per view contests. An astonishing step, and one Frank Warren appeared aware, looks opportunisitic and premature. Mullinder however, has grown a little tired of the boxing fans’ bluster and bleating about PPV and while it doesn’t have the withering zing of Terry Dooley’s article this morning, Andrew makes an interesting point. Continue reading “There is no such thing as a free punch; the PPV debate”
Video of Amir Khan foe Breidis Prescott in action
I’ll not be indulging SKY next month, there is no hope what so ever of the satellite broadcaster’s flashy advertising campaigns convincing me that Amir Khan is a PPV attraction. Nor will I succumb to the overt and subliminal suggestion his opponent, Colombian Breidis Prescott, is a foe of such brilliance that to miss the PPV could mean I miss Khan being beaten. Continue reading “Video of Amir Khan foe Breidis Prescott in action”
Share this:
Valuev v Ruiz II; Impossible to miss
It may seem condescending or ungracious to suggest Nicolay Valuev is a hard fighter to ignore, or perhaps overlook. At 7ft and over 300lbs the Russian is a man of almost mythical proportions but even though his contest with America’s John Ruiz is very unlikely to induce high-blood pressure moments, I will find the broadcast impossible to ignore. Continue reading “Valuev v Ruiz II; Impossible to miss”
Share this:
“Verbal contracts aren’t worth the paper they’re written on”
Voicing an opinion without concrete foundation on a legal case involving Frank Warren is rather like smothering your tongue in honey, sticking your head in a bees nest and trying to sing “Are you lonesome tonight”, bottom line is, you’re going to get stung. With that reality in mind, I’ll tip-toe through the news he has brought a case against departed superstar Joe Calzaghe for Breach of Contract.
Continue reading ““Verbal contracts aren’t worth the paper they’re written on””
Share this:
Battle of the Som-brero; give ol’ Gomez a chance
Matchmaking is a funny business. Not funny “haha”, funny “ooh”. As my Grandad would often say. There is simply no right and wrong methodology or barometer for matchmakers. If the house fighters wins, you’ve got it right. If the house fighters wins easily you’ve got it right but perhaps too right, because the audience want competition not a procession. In fact, getting it ‘too’ right can sometimes be wrong. But still better that, than simply getting it wrong. Are you keeping up?
Continue reading “Battle of the Som-brero; give ol’ Gomez a chance”
Share this:
‘You never know when a fight may be your last.’
I will always remember the first interview of substance conducted with Ricky Hatton and his father, Ray, at the beginning of their bitter divorce from promoter Frank Warren. Expressing their frustration at the stagnation that preceded Hatton’s seminal contest with Kostya Tszyu, Ray Hatton opined “Every fight from now on will be a big one, because you never know when a fight may be your last”, well words to that effect anyway.
Continue reading “‘You never know when a fight may be your last.’”
Share this:
Archive: Sometimes Winning is Just The Beginning
25/06/2004
It’s hard to believe three years have already elapsed since I interviewed Bobby Vanzie for the second time – the first being shortly before his destruction of Anthony Maynard. Occasionally, the language may seem more contrived than you would anticipate but Bobby preferred to consider some of his responses and respond via email as opposed to in person. In the time that has passed, I’ve grown to regard the retired former British and Commonwealth champion as a friend. But interviewing him back in 2004 remains a great thrill.
Continue reading “Archive: Sometimes Winning is Just The Beginning”
Share this:
Archive: Frank Warren, A Boxing Survivor
08/09/2005
Close to two years have passed since the first widely whispered rumours of a split between Ricky Hatton and Frank Warren were heard, on the cusp of signing a new ITV contract the timing couldn’t have been worse for Warren who must have relied heavily on Hatton’s star to entice the terrestrial broadcaster. I wrote a piece at the time reflecting on this emerging news and Warren’s ability to survive. Considering he has lost Hatton, Scott Harrison and Johnny Nelson during that period Warren has juggled well to still have a chance of contract renewal. But then he always survives. Continue reading “Archive: Frank Warren, A Boxing Survivor”
Share this:
Boxing: Scott Gammar Scores Comprehensive Victory
Tough Welsh heavyweight Scott Gammar got his career back on the rails over the weekend overpowering busy trier Paul King, a late-replacement for a replacement, to score a six round points win. Predictable enough result and a performance designed purely to add a W to the record of the former British champion following his defeat to Danny Williams. I’d certainly assume Gammar isn’t booked to learn much from circuit veteran King. Reports suggest he opted to use the whole six round work out rather than close the show.
Continue reading “Boxing: Scott Gammar Scores Comprehensive Victory”
Share this:
PR: Bobby Gunn
Press Release: 05/06/07
I wrote earlier this week about my soft spot for the eccentric American pug Bobby Gunn. A fighter plucked from obscurity to face Enzo Maccarinelli for the WBO title and then plunged back to the tank-town circuit following his one round massacre at the hands of the towering Welshman. However, another day another twist. Joe Mack from Rock Hard Boxing, the organisation that projected Gunn and cared for his interests has gone public with an acidic blast that leaves no stone unturned in Mack’s quest to malign Gunn’s name. Despite the obscurity of subject, it’s a must read release. Continue reading “PR: Bobby Gunn”
Share this:
Boxing: Mikkel Kessler is Taylor made for Calzaghe
I fear this story line could become a theme of the next few weeks as experienced promoters Mogens Palle (Kessler) and Frank Warren (Calzaghe) carefully manoeuvre their ‘pieces’ in a bid to gain the upper hand in negotiations, both privately and in the public’s perception, for the proposed clash between the two belt holders. Joe Calzaghe has changed his tune on his most desirable opponent once more following Jermaine Taylor’s soporific defence versus Cory Spinks last month, suddenly Mikkel Kessler is “the man”. Continue reading “Boxing: Mikkel Kessler is Taylor made for Calzaghe”
Share this:
Archive: Big Fight Live – Boxing returns to ITV
15/07/2005
As the first contract between British broadcaster ITV and promoter Frank Warren draws to a close and negotiations begin on a new contract, it seemed relevant to pause and remember how the news ITV were to return to professional boxing was greeted. In an article for thesweetscience.com, I took an optimistic view of the partnership’s potential and revelled in the nostalgia of hearing that famous theme tune one more time. As Nigel Benn once famously said “I preferred boxing when it was on ITV”. Continue reading “Archive: Big Fight Live – Boxing returns to ITV”
Share this:
Archive: British Boxing’s Road to Redemption
An article plucked from back in the summer of 2004, in the days preceding Danny Williams’ challenge to Mike Tyson. With a perspective on the significance of the bout for British boxing as a whole and specifically its hope of sustaining significance and resonance with the next generation of sports fans. Continue reading “Archive: British Boxing’s Road to Redemption”
Share this:
Staggering. Maccarinelli To Face Joke Opponent?
Pragmatism is an essential personality trait for boxing fans these days, accepting mediocre opponents in the name of world-championship boxing has become second nature to fans of the sport.
However, in Bobby Gunn, Frank Warren may just have found an opponent so devoid of credentials that boxing fans, even those devoted to the WBO Cruiserweight champion, Enzo Maccarinelli, Gunn is scheduled to face, will be unable to accept. Continue reading “Staggering. Maccarinelli To Face Joke Opponent?”
Share this:
Amir Khan: Stick or Twist?
Burgeoning light-welterweight talent Amir Khan next faces little known Frenchman Rachid Drilzane on the Harrison v Cook under card in just over a week’s time. The tenth fight in his professional career and burdened with an intense spotlight following his success at the Olympics Khan is being moved studiously by promoter Frank Warren. Continue reading “Amir Khan: Stick or Twist?”
BOXINGWRITER.CO.UK 
