IRISH boxers have to come to Britain to pursue professionalism because TV networks in Ireland will not invest in the sport, according to former WBO world champion Barry McGuigan.
“They [RTÉ] showed the world amateur championships, which they get for peanuts, but they feel it is unjustifiable in these difficult financial times to invest money in boxing,” he said.
“There are no shows being televised. There is loads of publicity and the journalists are crying out for shows but we need to have television to get regular shows. It’s the only way it gets profitable.
“Most of these guys are fighting for very little. You get small hall shows that are going on all the time but it really is a labour of love because most of these boxing promoters are not making any money.”
McGuigan says without the backing of television companies in Ireland it is impossible for boxers to stay.
“It is the most heavily funded sport but the television companies for whatever reason won’t invest in the sport which seems a shame because they should be.
“It is the most successful sport in history by a country mile. We get more success, more medals on the European and world level than any other sport.
“I think a lot of the kids, they want to turn pro, the good amateurs, the fellas who have really, really achieved at the highest level. They want to turn over — there is something really special about boxing professionally and winning a world title.”
Speaking about his management of Carl Frampton, who is based in Britain, McGuigan said: “What we are doing with Carl is bringing big television companies back to watch him fight in his hometown of Belfast. They have been starved of fights which is why we are going there.
“That’s why this kid sells out; he has sold 9,000 tickets already. The place [the Odyssey Arena] is sold out with the fight six weeks away which is pretty incredible.”
McGuigan watched his latest signing Conrad Cummings win on his professional debut at York Hall in Bethnal Green at the weekend and believes the 22-year-old Tyrone native can reach the same level as Frampton.
