(06-12-2022, 09:40 PM)Kiwi Wrote: [ -> ]Interesting
I guess Eddie left Sky as an option when he went with DAZN
He may come to regret that
I don't know what you mean, kiwi. Was Eddie ever with SKY? He didn't go with DAZN. He owns DAZN.
Eddie was Matchroom affiliated to sky like Boxxer is now
He left Sky, which allowed Boxxer to come in
Perhaps Boxxer allows boxers more freedom - which will suit Higgins
Also boxers get promoted well on Sky UK - may be the best solution.
Boxing: Joseph Parker signs 'best deal of career' with Sky Sports UK
12 Jun, 2022 09:16 AM
Joseph Parker has signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with Sky Sport UK that will set him up financially and could change the course of his boxing future.
Parker had been in negotiations with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions, with a view to agreeing a multi-fight deal that would first pit him against Joe Joyce for the right to claim mandatory status for the WBO crown held by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, who is set to rematch Anthony Joshua in August.
While the Joyce fight remains on the table for Parker, terms were not reached with Warren and Parker has instead opted for an alternative route by committing his future to Sky Sport UK and British boxing promoter Ben Shalom.
David Higgins remains Parker's manager but, just as Eddie Hearn has previously acted as the Kiwi heavyweight's promoter, that task now falls to Shalom.
Signing with Sky Sport and Shalom seeks to build on Parker's popularity in the UK where he has set up camp by working with trainer Andy Lee and world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury for his last two victories over veteran Derek Chisora.
"The most powerful boxing platform in the world is arguably British Sky Sport who have had multiple blockbuster boxing events globally," Higgins said. "For Joseph it's fantastic to sign with Ben Shalom and Boxxer who are British Sky Sport's promotional partner in the UK.
"Joseph did the hard yards in New Zealand. As a team we built him up and this is now an opportunity to replicate that on a global scale.
"We'll keep the commercial terms confidential but Joseph Parker has nailed his colours to the mast of Sky Sport and Boxxer so it's a longer-term commitment.
"They've come through with an offer we couldn't refuse. It's not just about money, the overall deal is probably the best deal Joseph Parker has had in his career.
"There's a plethora of streaming services popping up but Sky has massive history in boxing. It's a juggernaut. The ability to build a profile is second to none and is something the streaming giants can't offer so it was a very attractive package."
"All options are on the table," Higgins said. "We want to go straight into the biggest fights on the world stage but if they have to wait until a bit later in the year then there are other interesting matchups that can be made sooner rather than later. You'd hope to see Joseph back in the ring in September-October.
"Joseph Parker would fight anyone. He would fight Joe Joyce 100 per cent, and he would fight Dillian Whyte, Anthony Joshua. He's never shied away from anyone.
"For those fights to happen the opponent will need to sign up with a Boxxer promotion on Sky. That's not a bad thing. They're probably going to be paid substantially more than they would've otherwise.
"Fighting Joseph Parker becomes very attractive. A lot of the really big names think they can beat him. Joseph is now with the best pay per view platform and we know with Sky behind the events they're going to be blockbusters.
"We would like to think that will help to land some big, iconic events for the next few years."
Regardless of who Parker next fights, Higgins projects confidence he is well placed to mount another run towards a second world title – six years after claiming the WBO crown by defeating Andy Ruiz in Auckland.
"Joseph is well liked in the UK. A lot of British fans are Joseph Parker fans. He can almost be the home fighter to some extent. Sky could see Joseph is on the up. Look at his trajectory, look at how he looked in his last fight. He's had two wins against Derek Chisora who is a tough guy. The second fight he put him down three times with upper cuts. He's fallen into a groove for another run at the title.
"Sky Sport and Boxxer felt by getting behind Joseph now and investing they'll have a boxer who will be great to work with. The joint goal is to put together a wonderful few years, a second wind, a golden run for Joseph Parker's career."
Overall I like this a lot.
It brings massive promotional power behind Parker
The only concern is whether he will get the big matchups he needs
Mind you - he is only 30 and the other champs are aging out
What I like is that the big names will want to fight him because of Boxxer and SKY and the money. Does this deal eliminate JJ, or make it attractive to fight JP? If not, who? BTW, where has Helenius been? Looks like he's waiting, waiting for a title shot. Here's an article from January of '21:
Robert Helenius eager for world title shot, believes Oleksandr Usyk a tougher fight than Tyson Fury
Helenius says he’s feeling better than at any point in his career and is pushing for a shot at a major title.
38-year-old heavyweight Robert Helenius is currently riding a three fight knockout streak with his last two coming over Adam Kownacki between 2020 and 2021. And with those big wins Helenius is working his way towards a shot at a major world title, and believes he’s the most deserving contender to be given a mandatory title shot at Oleksandr Usyk. Helenius is currently ranked #3 by the WBA belt held by Usyk and is eager to get his opportunity.
Quote:“Right now we are waiting for a formal response from the WBA, this is my first priority,” Helenius told Sky Sports. “My lawyer has notified WBA in writing, I’ve paid sanctioning fees, and there is no more deserving contender to fight Usyk in the WBA than me. I fully expect to be officially named mandatory.”
Helenius would continue by saying he’s rightfully earned his shot at a world title and is fully committed to fighting just as hard outside of the ring to make it happen as he does once the bell rings.
That aside, Helenius says he’s heard Bob Arum mention his name as a potential opponent for WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (who is currently in an open negotiations period with Dillian Whyte for a mandatory title defense) and says he believes he’s got an even better chance of beating Fury than he does Usyk.
Quote:“He looked great against Deontay Wilder, but he would find a much less favourable style against me. I would knock Fury out. He is an easier style for me than Usyk for sure.”
For now Helenius says he’ll leave the lobbying to his team while he prepares for whatever opportunity may present itself, but says he’s feeling better now than at any point in his career and that he’s confident he’ll ultimately win a world title.
Saying its the best deal he ever had- I presumed his last deal with matchroom would have been substantial so this must be very good.
Maybe it was too good to turn down plus at the moment he would be their apex HW
JP certainly knows how to land in the land of $$$. Now, who is he gonna fight next?
I am still in favour of Lucas Browne as a stay-busy fight myself.
Whyte, Dubois, Hunter, Helenius.......