Tales From The Other Side...of The Atlantic 6.16.09: ITV To Drop Boxing, Olusegun Goes Over Old Ground, More
Posted by David M. Lee on 06.16.2009
ITV set to drop boxing, is Ajose Olusegun really that good and more
ITV To Drop Boxing After 2009
Boxing News reported last week that British network ITV will stop screening boxing after 2009. The station, who had a deal with Hennessy Sports, enjoyed ratings success on the back of shows topped by Amir Khan (with audiences between five to seven million) and last year's gruelling battle between Carl Froch and Jean Pascal (reportedly attracting nearly three million viewers).
So what gives? An ITV spokesman told Boxing News: "Given the economic climate, ITV must ensure that that its programming is commercially viable. At the moment, boxing on free-to-air commercial television is not economically sustainable and as a result ITV has no plans to broadcast boxing in 2010. We keep all programming under review and if in the future the commercial facts change then we'll be happy to consider broadcasting boxing again."
Whatever the reason, the fact is that there will be no live boxing broadcasted on national television in the UK in 2010 and that my friends is simply depressing.
Olusegun Goes Over Old Ground
Last Friday night, British based Nigerian Ajose Olusegun easily outpointed old victim Nigel Wright over twelve rounds to win the vacant British light-welterweight title. If I had read about the result without seeing the performance I would have been mighty impressed by the one-sided nature of the contest, considering how tough and talented the underrated Wright is.
But watching the fight from home I thought something was missing from Olusegun's performance. Yes he won it in a canter, but in truth, Wright performed poorly and boxed like a man with little self-belief. Considering how much trouble the Englishman had caused Olusegun in their previous meeting, this was disappointing. And, let's be honest, Olusegun hardly looked anything special on Friday. He is extremely talented, no question. But he can be very wild with his punches and often looks quite clumsy when marching forward.
During the contest, I wondered how Olusegun would fare with world class opposition (he is ranked number six with the WBC). I must admit, I have my doubts if the Nigerian can make a big splash at world level. He's a sharp, accurate puncher but I don't think he possesses the power to make an impression with the top boys at 140. Despite landing plenty of shots on Wright, Olusegun never really looked like stopping the tough County Durham native.
Nevertheless, Olusegun remains undefeated with a 27-0 (13 KOs) record. One hopes we get to see him step up in level soon, because at 29 he is not going to get any better. The time is now to find out just how good he is.
Moment Of Madness Costs Del Boy
Unbeaten British heavyweight Derek Chisora can kiss his chance of meeting Danny Williams for the British title goodbye. The Finchley man has been suspended for four months by the Southern Area Council for biting, yes you read that right, Paul Butlin's ear in the fifth round of their fight last month at the York Hall. Chisora was due to face Williams on the undercard to Amir Khan's world title bid against Andreas Kotelnik. What makes this even more frustrating is that "Del Boy" was winning the Butlin fight comfortably and didn't need to resort to such a senseless foul. He's only got himself to blame.
Murray Makes Up For Title Disappointment With Solid Performance
Despite losing his title on the scales, former British lightweight champion John Murray showed that there were no lasting effects from weight making as he hammered Scott Lawton and stopped him in the sixth round. Having come in overweight at the weigh-in, Murray was stripped of the British title and must face the music from an understandably unhappy British Boxing Board of Control.
But that's for another day, let's talk about the here and now. The fact is Murray is one of the most exciting prospects in Britain and we should not be too hard on him. He's still young and will learn from this mistake, unprofessional though it may have been. Murray is still slated to face Norwich's Jon Thaxton sometime in September and that is a domestic dust-up to savour.
