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“Breathtaking” reaction to Moylette Homecoming could lead to multiple TG4 shows in 2019


TG4 have a developed a real grá for dornálaíocht and look set to commit do playing their part in an Irish boxing revival claims one half of Assassin Promotions.

The promotional outfit, the Irish-language station, and particularly Ray Moylette and Christian Uruzquieta, served up a memorable night on Friday and, while there was defeat for the main act, the sport and the fans were winners in Castlebar suggest Conor Slater.

TG4 had already shown a genuine interest in boxing and have apparently expressed a desire to air further TV shows in 2019 – but the ‘breathtaking’ reaction and the entertaining nature of the main event in particular has whet their appetite to insatiable levels according to Slater who is now suggesting the pair could work together on more than five TV shows next year.

“TG4 loved it,” beamed an assured Slater who is hoping for a deal with the terrestrial staation.

“We don’t get the viewing figures ’til early this week but the reaction through the media, online, and digital clicks, has been breathtaking.”

“Television is an entertainment business and if you weren’t entertained by watching that show then I give up. It had everything! Pure drama and world class boxing.”

Before Friday, Assassin had spoken of there being perhaps four TV shows in 2019 but this estimate has already climbed to at least five following a successful first effort in Mayo.

Slater outlined how “the show was superbly run. It was so nice to be able to have a great team around us and everyone working together to deliver an amazing night.”

“Even in England, we’ve never done a show where there was so little for us to do – I was able to watch the boxing!”

“We’ve a five-show schedule planned in our head for next year, but that could easily be more, it depends on a few different things,” he added before predicting an influx of new signings.

“We manage about 25 Irish boxers and no doubt that will probably double with current amateurs seeing what can be offered to them by ourselves and TG4.”

One of the real TV-friendly elements to the bill was the sensational atmosphere.

Even in the hours before Moylette there was a party-feel as Roy Sheahan, Dylan Moran, Spike O’Sullivan, Victor Rabei and Aaron Gethins took to the ring.

Having witnessed something similar in Waterford earlier in the year it has been argued the ‘regional’ show is the way forward. Bringing boxing outside of Dublin might by key to this ‘rebirth’, a point Slater seems to agree with it.

Indeed, not only does that make sense to Assassin, it’s something they have been approached about exploring.

The young fight boss described how “it might sound a bit Eddie Hearn-ish but, genuinely, this week it has so nice to come to a town where everyone and I mean everyone, from the local barbers, coffee shops, hotels, venues, bars, and just the local residents are thanking you for bringing big time boxing to their area.”

“Believe it or not, we have a few venues already around the country, asking us, ‘would you do shows here?’”

“I think you need stars to make them work, that’s why Ray worked so well. Ray is the blueprint for Irish boxers, and he’s leading the way in Irish boxing.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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