Hayemaker Promotions

Hayemaker Promotions is a promotional company operated by former cruiserweight champion David Haye and boxing manager Adam Booth. The company held their first boxing promotional event in Sheffield on 20 September 2008.

tarting Up

On establishing the company, David Haye drew comparisons with Golden Boy Promotions when he said; "Golden Boy have taken over from Don King and Bob Arum and they've done it by empowering the fighters, putting control back in their hands and giving them the lion's share". Giving an insight into how the new promotional outfits would actually help fighters he added "Promoting other fighters is not a money-making scheme for me, I make enough from my own fights, I don't need to take any money from six- to eight-rounders. Taking 15 or 20 grand from a British title fight doesn't mean anything to me, but that extra money means a hell of a lot to someone who's fighting for, say, 10 grand three times a year". [ [http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-hayemaker-lands-blow-for-fellow-fighters-842458.html The Independent | Hayemaker lands blow for fellow fighters] ]

Since announcing the intention to set up Hayemaker, Haye and Booth have signed up a number of fighters to their stable. Former WBU champion Derry Mathews signed having previously been with Sports Network, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7568752.stm BBC Sport | Mathews signs up to Hayes camp] ] British light-middleweight champion Ryan Rhodes, and trainer Dave Coldwell joined as Head of Boxing. [ [http://www.thestar.co.uk/boxing/Long-road-travelled-for-Coldwell.4257019.jp The Star | Long road travelled for Coldwell] ]

The outfit has also signed a number of up and coming young stars, such as undefeated Liverpool lightweight John Watson, [ [http://www.britishboxing.net/news_3671-BBN-Exclusive-Hayemaker-promotions-sign-up-rising-lightweight.html Britishboxing.net | Hayemaker sign up promising lightweight] ] Sheffield prospect Josh Wale, [ [http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/sport/Wale-impresses-his-new-bosses.4339811.jp South Yorkshire Times | Wale impresses new bosses] ] and former amateur champions George Groves and Michael Maguire. [ [http://www.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/09/09/Boxing-Groves-raring-for-debut/ Setanta Sports | Groves ready to make big impact] ] [ [http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/boxing/Maguire-turns-pro-at-just.4127218.jp Peterborough Today | Maguire turns pro] ]

In terms of television exposure, Hayemaker signed a deal which would see the next ten promotions from the company broadcast on Setanta Sports, this would include the next four David Haye fights. [ [http://www.freepressreleases.co.uk/Press_Releases/Sports/Setanta_makes_Haye_with_four-fight_deal_2008052820756/ Setanta Press release | Haye signs deal with Setanta] ] The first promotion was held in Sheffield on 20 September 2008, and broadcast 4 live bouts. Ryan Rhodes topped the bill in his home city. On potentially working with Frank Warren's Sports Network, Haye said "I’d rather retire from boxing than work with Sports Network again", this despite the fact that his last fight before setting up the company was with Sports Network when he beat WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli in 2 rounds. Commenting on the fight and of the prospect of working again with Frank Warren, Haye said "We thank Frank for sacrificing Maccarinelli, but we’d feel immense guilt if we took any more free money from Sports Network. I have a hard enough time sleeping at night as it is." [ [http://www.livefight.com/news/david-haye-'i-will-never-work-with-sports-network-again'_581.html Livefight.com | Haye - I will never work with Sports Network again] ]

The Ryan Rhodeshow

Ryan Rhodes topped the first bill in his home town, in Sheffield on 20 September. The two-time British champion defended his light-middleweight belt against gutsy Scotsman Jamie Coyle with a unanimous decision over 12 rounds. The undercard saw unbeaten Martin Lindsay from Northern Ireland knock out Liverpool's Derry Mathews in the 9th round of their 10 round British eliminator for the super-featherweight title. [ [http://www.britishboxing.net/news_3826-Bravery-and-brutality-in-Sheffield.html British Boxing.net | Bravery and Brutality in Sheffield] ] The undercard also provided an upset when the touted Josh Wale lost to Rugby based South African Harry Ramogoadi. An injury to his eye meant that Wale was pulled out of the fight in the third round thus giving the prospect the first defeat of his career. [ [http://www.britishboxing.net/news_3827-Wale-derailed-on-Hayemaker-s-debut-card.html Britisboxing.net | Wale derailed on Haye undercard] ]

References