ODLH GB License

The Golden Boy is preparing to invade England with major boxing events show-casing Britain's 2012 Olympians on the under-cards of top Americans in world title fights.

Oscar De La Hoya and his company - in a move which will send shock waves through the ranks of the established UK promoters - are applying to the British Boxing Board of Control for a license.
They are also engaged in talks with several UK stars of the London Games, who are believed to include medalists Anthony Joshua, Luke Campbell and Anthony Ogogo.

He outlined his plans to British Board chairman Charles Giles and general secretary Robert Smith, who flew to LA for Amir Khan's resurrection fight on Saturday night.

Since Schaefer is a Swiss passport holder who is preparing to open offices in London and is already in negotiation with British television companies, they see no basis for objection.

Golden Boy are now the world's biggest promoters, staging more than 120 shows a year in the US and Mexico.

Schaefer says: 'There is fantastic opportunity for us in the UK. I have always said the British boxing fans are the most passionate in the world.

'Over here some people could hardly believe that Ricky Hatton sold out 20,000 tickets for his comeback fight before he even named his opponent.

'I love London and I will be spending a lot more time over there in the future.
'I am promising to help your Olympians maximise their potential and develop into big, successful stars. For that, I will be taking fighters under my wing personally for the first time.'

Schaefer is not only in discussion with the traditional UK television channels, such as Sky.

Intriguingly, he has sparked interest with British Telecom, who are rapidly becoming major players in the sports market, and is also exploring the possibility of an American network becoming the host broadcaster.

While he realises the impact this will have on the British boxing establishment, Schaefer does not expect the rivalry with Golden Boy's counterparts across the Pond to be bitter.

The initial concept is for no more than four shows a year and he says: 'I get on well with the British promoters. I have a good relationship with Mick Hennessy (who promotes Tyson Fury) and Frank Maloney (David Price).

'We have just enjoyed a positive negotiation with Eddie Hearn for Kell Brook to challenge Devon Alexander for his world title over here. Not only is Frank Warren an outstanding promoter but we are very good friends.

On the cards: Anthony Joshua (right) is believed to be in talks with De La Hoya's company

'I won't be trying to steal their fighters. But this is a competitive business so when any boxers become free agents at the end of their contracts then of course we will expect to have talk with those we like.'
Golden Boy's $200million-a-year turnover will lend massive weight to that bargaining power, as it appears to be doing with London's Olympic super-heavyweight champion Joshua and others of his team.

Several Team GB boxers have held back from committing their futures until their amateur funding runs out in March and the first Golden Boy promotion in Britain is not scheduled until the second quarter of the year.

Others under review are youngsters who just missed out on the Games 'but who have the ability and charisma we need.'

Schaefer is also tempting them all with the prospect of early US exposure on promotions over here.
Medal winner: Anthony Ogogo (left) shone for Team GB at the Olympics
In England, the 02 Arena in London tops the preferred list of venues. To fill that, Golden Boy will top the bills with big international names in world title fights.

For example, former champion Sugar Shane Mosley is planning to come out of retirement to challenge Paulie Malignaggi.

Says Schaefer: 'While that is coming too early for our first UK promotion that is the kind of fight which could take place over there.

'Adrien Broner is a dynamic younger champion who would relish the chance to do his thing in England.'

Nor is it beyond possibility that Floyd Mayweather – who appreciates his large fan base in Britain and often talks of how he would love to fight in London – could make the trip in 2014.

Schaefer said: 'We will promote in the UK with same quality and style we do in the USA.'

The gauntlet has been thrown down.

From the Mail.

Excellent idea. An awful lot of complacent promoters are going to feel the icy hand of reality gripping their private parts rather uncomfortably at this news, I would think. How happy will the Warren stable or the Hennessy trio be if Golden Boy's British boxers are fighting proper opponents and making serious cash? Best news for British shows for some time, if true.

Exactly - I think this is going to improve the quality of training and sparring available in gb so when our lads go up they wont be stepping into the unknown. Also expect them to start picking up the talented europeans and moulding them into a more fluid less amatuer style.

Only fly in the ointment might be this, Shah - I have just read the new settlement available to Olympic sports for Rio 2016 and boxing is one of the huge winners. Funding for the amateur sport has gone up by a staggering 44.5% to nearly £14 million, one of the biggest rises of any sport. Sailing, cycling, rowing, equestrian, taekwondo and so on all did well too, while swimming got a big cut and some others lost everything.

What it means, though, is that there has never been a better time to stay amateur in this country. The obligation to turn pro is less obvious by the year, and Golden Boy may find it tough to persuade our top amateurs to abandon lives of such gilded ease, comparatively speaking.

I dunno about that captain - the funding might have increased but gb sports bodies are notoriously mean with their money. Joshua for example is probably going to earn more than he deserves in his first few fights. Also trainers, facilities etc are all included in that 14 million -and there won't be that glitz and glamour provided by gbp and co in the pros. I think at least half the talents are going to give it a go - if they've got any ambition at all. Those who don't probably won't have the nerve to make it to the top of the pros anyway as talent without desire is a recipe for disatster somewhere down the line.

From what I remember 6oldenbhoy saying, Shah - and he knows more about amateur boxing than anyone I've ever spoken to - the top amateurs over here were on a comfortable six figure sum by the London Olympics. Add almost half as much again to that, throw in the fact that everything is taken care of for you, your fights are arranged, the best training, no travel hassles or dodgy promoters, and you can see why some of them are going to think twice about it.

I don't think that it's so much a question of nerve these days as of there being not quite the real financial necessity to make a go of turning pro any more. It's certainly amazing news for the amateur game.

Hmm - I still think the Pro ranks would offer more but I can see where you are coming from. I think the more important changes to the amatuer division is the removal of headgear and possibly a overhaul to the olympic scoring system. It may yet become a feeder for pro boxing even though some stars might not make the switch

i think 99% of amatuers dream of been a top pro, so it can only be a good thing. good news from golden boy about the uk licence, although for me forget about the Olympians, i didnt rate any of them much and cant see huge success for any of them, and we have a lot of pros in most divisions so competitions tough.

Na eddy - doesnt matter if they are good enough. They are known in britain as gold medallists in 2012 - their star willl rub off onto boxers from the undercard - might do them the world of good.

captain carrantuohil wrote:From what I remember 6oldenbhoy saying, Shah - and he knows more about amateur boxing than anyone I've ever spoken to - the top amateurs over here were on a comfortable six figure sum by the London Olympics. Add almost half as much again to that, throw in the fact that everything is taken care of for you, your fights are arranged, the best training, no travel hassles or dodgy promoters, and you can see why some of them are going to think twice about it.

I don't think that it's so much a question of nerve these days as of there being not quite the real financial necessity to make a go of turning pro any more. It's certainly amazing news for the amateur game.

I don't think they are on as much as that, Captain but it would be 50k plus for the top guys. But as you say that is misleading as they are housed and fed for four days a week, without having to pay for the stuff a professional would. All the WSB fighters are on monthly retainers as well as bonuses for wins and Ko's etc. Most will have endorsements and sponsorship deals on the side as well. All in you could be approaching £100K a year with very little overheads. Not a bad gig if you can get it.

Ah, stand corrected - thanks for that, 6oldenbhoy. We're still talking about a different world from even 15 years ago. You have to be exceptionally single-minded to decide on a pro career today.

At the same time, I can't help think that so many amateurs would love a crack at the big time being a pro. If you make the rewards are just so heavy.

Tom Stalker turning Pro?

This will hopefully encourage a bit of healthy competition, promoters trying to out do each other and putting on better shows.
If they manage to get a deal with sky or preferably a free to air channel, then surely we could be in for a quality night of boxing every other week.

If that turns out to be the case then I don't know who will be forking out money for bn.

GoldenBoy have a deal with Boxnation for their fights to be aired on there so it is likely they will continue with that deal.

6oldenbhoy wrote:Tom Stalker turning Pro?

Seems Stalker is turning Pro with an announcement later today.

No idea who he is signing with. He's 29 in a few months so may need fast-tracked.

Talented enough to win domestic and maybe European titles if he sits down on some of his shots, I'd have thought. Perhaps a little long in the tooth to be thinking about world honours, but should bring a fair bit to the pro game at 140 or thereabouts.

Id have thought Stalker would stay amateur and try and win a medal. He seemed pretty gutted about being one of the British team that didnt, especially as captain. There was an interview on BBC with him there not too long ago kind of highlighting what it was like being the forgotten man amongst his team mates who won medals.

'Over here some people could hardly believe that Ricky Hatton sold out 20,000 tickets for his comeback fight before he even named his opponent.

'I love London and I will be spending a lot more time over there in the future.'

Translation:

British fans look like they'll buy anything. We can make a killing over there!!

Tom Stalker is signing up to Matchroom according to Sky Sports.

As Eddie and team are head and shoulders above any other promotional outfit in the country this is probably a good choice. Pity he has no Olympic medal to milk, think he'll be a pure undercard fight getting to Euro/Commonwealth level and, in a few years, might start being someone good but not great that's technically strong and used to test young up'n'comers.