Spinnaker Opportunities Share Discussion Threads

[hirschnathan] 06/9/2005 11:18

Quote
"That pair effectively promoted their own shows but as their experiences prove, it is a path strewn with obstacles.

What makes Hatton's apparent move even more of a gamble is that he is effectively turning his back on Warren's new deal with ITV, which would have guaranteed prime-time, terrestrial television coverage of his fights."

Interestingly hatton is trying to go his own way, I have searched the net and havent found a single person in support of him.

[jethr0] 06/9/2005 09:17

I really can't see FW having a contract with a hole in it, especially after all his years of negotiating contracts with boxers! IMHO

[jethr0] 02/9/2005 11:51

bid lifted on no trades showing, mm's are short of stock for that "in the wings" buyer IMO

[jethr0] 01/9/2005 22:54

That buyer is still picking em up at top rate, he MUST know more than we do, imo

[hirschnathan] 01/9/2005 11:39

fb
ray hatton is in talks with the sheffield arena, which is true. First of all sheffield isnt manchester, his home town, where his supporters are. secondly the match will not happen because warren has legal dispute against hatton which may or not be correct (I havent seen any papers so i cant judge), but that will stop hatton fighting.
ray hatton knows to well that if this issue cant be sorted out round a table, hattons career may be over, (Keep in mind a boxer has only a few years to play)due to the potential legal battle.

re the itv pay per view, as i said best lets wait to see whos right, without name calling

[frankbruno] 01/9/2005 08:56

Oh Hirsch....just to update you Ray Hatton is in talks with the Sheffield Arena for Rickys next fight....i wonder why...has that blown you away ?

Listen to frank....how's barry...huh huh huh huh....

[frankbruno] 01/9/2005 07:45

Hirsch....can you listen to the below points please :

1/ Ray Hatton says after what has gone on he could never sit down with Mr Warren.Let me tell you why.Hatton has had a fight by fight deal with Sports Network for the last 18 months there has not been a 3 fight deal.Thats a fact.
When Hatton leaves watch the share price plummet.

2/ If Calzaghe loses to Lacey....oh dear...top two fighters of Sports Network no longer champions.

3/ There is no box office with ITV.And there never will be.

The sauce is on me...hur hur hur hur....

Hirsch...you need to be locked into one of my cravans for a week with Barry McGuigan...hur hur hur hur.

[hirschnathan] 01/9/2005 00:05

SPORTS NETWORK AND MEN ARENA ANNOUNCE NEW DEAL
Iain Axon 31 Aug 2005
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."

[hirschnathan] 01/9/2005 00:03

I'M THE RIGHT MAN FOR RICK
A lot has been said and written about Ricky Hatton relationship with me lately. It is unfortunate sometimes in boxing situations like this develop.

When I look back over the years, I can recall Nigel Benn and me parting company for a while, but eventually he came back, we worked together and he finished his career with me. In fact Nigel said in his book that I was the best promoter he worked with.

A few years ago I decided to stop promoting Naseem Hamed because I was not happy with what was happening behind the scenes with his training and some of his family especially their views on the route they wanted his career to take.

Naz was one of the most naturally talented fighters that I have worked with, but like all sportsmen you cannot cut corners in your preparation and the time you spend in the gym.

If you do boxing, which is one of the most dangerous sports, you will certainly get found out and he did against Marco Antonio Barrera.

Naz and I spoke a few months ago. He said he wanted to come back, I advised him against that. He responded by saying "he hadn't been in wars and still felt he could do it".

I said he should thank me for that but he would have been out of the ring for too long and what did he need to box again for? He is well off, has a lovely wife and kids, he obviously listened to my advice.

Nigel, Naz, Ricky and many have worked well with me during their careers. I like to think that I help financially secure their futures and guided their careers expertly. They have been involved in some great fights, made money as did I.

Ricky is a great fighter, has a good family around him and an excellent trainer in Billy Graham. He is now part of an elite group, number 1 in his class and rightly so, but this didn't happen over night, you don't get to this position without careful match making, top notch promotion and someone with the gumption to take some tough business decisions that only make sense in the long term. That someone is me.

Therefore, it really chokes me when I read that Ricky is a free agent and he is in talks with other people about future fights. That is wrong. I do have an agreement for Ricky's next three fights and will not just stand back whilst the stampede for his services tramples over me.

I know more than most that the boxing business is ruthless with no room for prisoners. You have got to deliver and keep delivering. On my part I have spoken to Bob Arum regarding Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather, WBA Carlos Maussa and even Don King called me to discuss a Zab Judah fight for Ricky. All these fights can be done, that's what I do – Deliver.

At the end of the day it's about the money and if two grown men can't find a place where it makes sense for both of them, then, I guess, it will be for those who wear the wigs and gowns to decide.

[hirschnathan] 31/8/2005 10:54

I am not sure what you are talking about. Certain matches will be not be shown thru itv and only pay per view.
Its stupid speculating and lets wait for the hatton saga to settle, if sop have a binding agreement then hatton cant go anywhere.
sop agreement with men is a cool move to stop hatton going to a predator.
hatton has to think himself at least for the next 2 years to stay with sop, I think its a very shrewd move on sop behalf.

[hirschnathan] 31/8/2005 01:36

HATTON FACING MANCHESTER EXILE
Ricky Hatton faces the prospect of being frozen out of his home city if he fails to resolve his contract dispute with promoter Frank Warren.

Warren has signed an exclusive two-year deal to promote fights at the MEN Arena in Manchester where the IBF light-welterweight champion has had all but three of his last 15 contests.

For the duration of the contract, only Warren's Sports Network organisation will have the option of promoting boxing matches at the 22,000 capacity indoor arena.

It means that if Hatton were to sever his links with Warren, his chances of continuing to fight in front a big crowd at home would be restricted to an ambitious football stadium event in the summer.

Hatton's advisers believe his contract with Sports Network has run its course - a claim Warren vigorously refutes.

Warren has already fired off formal notices of impending legal action to a number of promotional rivals whom the Hatton team have reportedly been courting.

And Warren maintains he will battle to the bitter end to keep hold of his star attraction whom he has promoted for all 39 of his professional fights.

Warren said: "I have never had a bad word with Ricky throughout this, but I have to protect Sports Network's interests and as far as I am concerned we still have an agreement.

"I am confident that agreement will stand the test of a court hearing but that is not something I want and hopefully this dispute can be resolved amicably.

"But I will do absolutely everything to fight my corner. Ricky has done very well with me in terms of his career and his finances and it is a great shame it has come to this."

[hirschnathan] 31/8/2005 00:47

michael

I dont think so, certain big fights imo will still be pay per view. terrestrial television will be good for promoting the fighters/boxing/sports network for eg the new fighter kelly brook or amir khan. I think we will still see pay per view

[michaelmouse] 30/8/2005 21:23

hirschnathan - You are quite right of course we do not know the exact terms of the deal with ITV. However, pay per view is surely irrelevant now that Sports Network fights are on terrestrial television?

[hirschnathan] 30/8/2005 20:19

The sky deal was hidden, (value) so is the itv deal. It is impossible to know if sop are getting more now or less, we can omly assume more.
Pay per view was and is unrelated to sky, it was and is managed by a third party which does not get affected by the change of contract

[michaelmouse] 30/8/2005 19:49

Frank - You've lost none of your sharp wit and intellect !!
I'll try to keep it simple.
If Hatton leaves Warren. On pay per view no income!
On ITV set payment continues.

HIRSCHNATHAN - Thanks for the Guardian post. I agree with the author entirely.

[hirschnathan] 30/8/2005 11:53

It has recently come to the attention of Sports Network Limited that a number of third parties claim to be in discussions or negotiations with Punch Promotions (Actions) in order to acquire the boxing services of Ricky Hatton (Parties).

In fact, Sports Network, through letters written by its solicitors, have already placed a number of parties on formal notice of impending legal action.

In light of the above, Sports Network hereby places all other Parties or individuals on notice of its agreement with Punch Promotions for the exclusive boxing services of Ricky Hatton for a number of further fights (Agreement).

Accordingly, any such approach or attempt by any such Party to discuss the boxing services of Ricky Hatton with Punch Promotions and or Ricky Hatton its/his agents or representatives would constitute an attempt to induce a breach of the Agreement and be an unlawful interference of Sports Networks rights.

To the extent that any Party fails to stop any of the Actions complained of, Sports Network will not hesitate to take all necessary action against any such Party to protect its interests arising from the Agreement.

[rcktmn] 30/8/2005 11:51

It's looking good at long last..now in profit. hope it continues... interims due shortly

[teacup] 30/8/2005 11:20

It looks like there is a buyer in the wings.

[teacup] 30/8/2005 10:49

MMs keep trying to get sellers but I think the price will have to go up a long way yet to sellers moving in. No reason to sell the trend is upwards and has been for a few weeks.

[jethr0] 26/8/2005 13:23

bids up to try and drag sellers in, and the buyer's still there pickin 'em up!
all IMO