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TV a possibility for big Ulster Hall show


Pro boxing’s big return to the Ulster Hall could be even bigger than imagined.

MHD Promotions run ‘A Night To Remember’ at the famous Belfast venue on Saturday February 9th, returning to the atmospheric hall for the first time in over six years.

Only 1,000 fans will be able to squeeze into the compact coliseum but thousands more may be able to watch professional coverage as promoter Mark Dunlop has revealed there is a chance that the card will be shown live.

The fight boss is hoping that the James Tennyson-headlined show will be incorporated into the Matchroom JDNXTGEN series and be aired live on Sky Sports – either through their regular broadcasting or online through their social channels.

Dunlop played a large role in the two Matchroom Sky Sports shows in Belfast last year, being described as Eddie Hearn’s ‘man on the ground’ for the two Ryan Burnett-headlined bills.

These bills saw big wins for Tennyson as well as Paul Hyland Jr and Feargal McCrory who both feature on the February 9th card alongside Tommy McCarthy and Luke Wilton who have also boxed on Sky Sports bills in the past.

Speaking at yesterday’s press conference to launch the card, Dunlop outlined how “I wouldn’t say ‘in negotiations’ but I’ve asked Matchroom if they’d be interested in covering this event for their NXTGEN series which still a possibility”

“They haven’t said yes, they haven’t said no, so the old saying is ‘no news is good news’, that might come.”

Matchroom and Sky Sports are just one potential outlet for the show – where Tennyson makes a quick return from his World title loss to James Tennyson and goes straight back in in a Commonwealth title defence.

Dunlop noted that he would be willing to go online through either the BBC, who recently live streamed a Clan Wars MMA card and the Ulster Elite Championships, or UTV, who live streamed a Cyclone Promotions show back in 2014 and provided deferred highlights of another in 2015.

“I’ll work with anyone, if anyone wants to approach me,” said Dunlop before noting that he would not entertain a ‘pay for airtime’ scenario – a small scale version of the early PBC in America

“What it is, is – it can’t cost,” explained Dunlop.

“They have to bring something to the table too.”

“UTV’s here, the radio is here, anyone, anyone’s welcome, the BBC – but they have to bring something to the table, myself and the boys can’t lose out.”

“I work with anybody, I’ve work with Frank Warren, I work with MTK, I work Eddie Hearn, that’s why we’re getting where we’re getting.”

“If anyone wants to approach me, for sponsorship, anything, you’ll get your money’s worth.”

Photo Credit: AMMG Media – Chris Scott

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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