Cyclone Promotions secure television deal

Cyclone Promotions have penned a multi-card deal with Channel 5 to show free-to-air boxing live on British terrestrial television.

The first show of the new deal will take place next month in Cardiff. Here, on May 14th at the Ice Arena Wales, Lee Haskins will defend his IBF bantamweight title for the first time against Golden Boy’s Ivan Morales, younger brother of the legendary Erik Morales.

The undercard will feature former Mick Conlan nemesis Andrew Selby challenge for the vacant British flyweight title against Louis Norman. Also appearing will be unbeaten cruiserweight Craig Kennedy, light heavyweight prospect Nathan Thorley, and Cyclone star Josh Taylor.

The card is the first of three dates on Channel 5 for Cyclone in 2016, with further dates in 2017. Like Hennessy Promotions before them, Cyclone will air the undercard of next month’s show on sister channel Spike TV before switching to Channel 5 for the main event.

Cyclone have previous experience on terrestrial television having worked with ITV for Carl Frampton’s IBF title defences against Chris Avalos and Alejandro Gonzalez Jr.

With Frampton seemingly headed Stateside for massive fights with the likes of Leo Santa Cruz, ‘The Jackal’ is not included in the deal – although could still appear on Channel 5 following future negotiations.

However, the move will come as music to the ears of stablemate Conrad Cummings who will have further opportunities to showcase his talents as he rises through the middleweight division.

 

Following the announcement, Cyclone CEO Barry McGuigan wrote in his Daily Mirror column that “I am delighted to have agreed a deal with Channel 5 that ensures the continuing presence of boxing on terrestrial television.”

“Cyclone Promotions will partner other promoters to ensure the best young talent in the country is seen by a wide TV audience.”