Mark Dunlop Confident TG4 will Commission a Second Series

It’s going to be special but not a one-off TV Special suggests Mark Dunlop.

The MHD fight maker promotes a big show on TG4 later this Saturday night and is confident the Irish language station will want to commission a series rather than just broadcast a one-off pilot.

Dunlop revealed, that having enjoyed success previously broadcasting boxing, the terrestrial tv station were always interested in airing the sport and had approached him about working together previously – but he wanted to wait until he had the perfect fight.

Eric Donovan [15(8)-2(2)] versus Khalil El Hadri [13(7)-1(0)]  in EU super featherweight title action is that fight and this weekends card is one that will start a long-term relationship between promoter broadcaster.

“I’m excited to explore this avenue and they will come back,” Dunlop told Irish-boxing.com.

“[Head of Sport at TG4] Rónán [Ó Coisdealbha] contacted me about doing a show a long time ago and I said whenever the right fight comes we’ll talk again. I’ve had different people interested in broadcasting this event but TG4 was a natural choice because it’s free to air. There are only 600 people going to be in attendance but the whole of the world can watch the card if they chose to.

“The last numbers [TG4] had from their boxing shows a few years ago were incredible, so they were keen to get back in and keen to work with me because I have a good name and I do regular shows.”

Regular TV backing is something Irish boxing has missed badly over the years. While there have been regular shows in Belfast and plenty of talent coming through the scene has been lacking and a lack of TV has been one of the reasons why.

Eric Donovan, who tops the Europa Hotel hosted bill, is one of the poster boys for what a lack of TV can mean.

The RTE pundit is extremely media friendly, extremely popular, and the ideal crossover candidate. However, up until now he has had to go abroad and man the away corner for his two biggest fights, losing to Zelfa Barrett and Robeisy Ramirez on Matchroom and Boxxer cards.

Dunlop points out that TG4’s involvement in the sport may prevent that from happening for some fighters down the line.

“When a fighter goes across the water they get no favours, so we are lucky to have a national tv willing to invest in the sport.

“It’s a big opportunity not only for Eric but for all the local boxers appearing on the bill. They are going to get incredible local and worldwide coverage because it’s going to be on TG4’s Iplayer as well. One of the things was to appear on the bill you had to be in a good fight and I don’t think anyone can question any of the fights, they are all good and very exciting.”