It will be a special, but not a one-off TV special, suggests Mark Dunlop.
The MHD fight maker is promoting a big show on TG4 later this month and is confident the Irish-language station will want to order a series instead of just airing a one-off pilot.
Dunlop revealed that having had success broadcasting boxing, the terrestrial television station had always been interested in broadcasting the sport and had approached him about working together before, but wanted to wait until he had the perfect fight.
Eric Donovan [15(8)-2(2)] against Khalil El Hadri [13(7)-1(0)] in EU super featherweight title action is that fight and the card on Saturday, September 24 is one that will kick off a long-term relationship between the broadcast promoter.
“I’m excited to explore this avenue and they will be back,” Dunlop told Irish-boxing.com.
“[Head of Sport at TG4] Ronan [Ó Coisdealbha] He contacted me about doing a show a long time ago and I told him that as long as the right fight came along we would talk again. I’ve had different people interested in streaming this event, but TG4 was a natural choice because it’s free. Only 600 people will attend, but everyone can see the card if they wish.
“The latest numbers [TG4] they had from their boxing shows a few years ago were amazing, so they were eager to come back and work with me because I have a good name and I do regular shows.”
Regular television support is something Irish boxing has sorely missed over the years. While there have been regular shows in Belfast and a lot of talent has been lacking in the scene and the lack of television has been one of the reasons.
Eric Donovan, who heads the bill at Hotel Europa, is one of the poster boys for what a lack of television can mean.
The RTE expert is extremely media friendly, extremely popular, and the ideal candidate for the crossover. However, so far he has had to go overseas and occupy the outside corner for his two biggest fights, losing to Zelfa Barrett and Robeisy Ramirez on the Matchroom and Boxxer cards.
Dunlop notes that TG4’s involvement in the sport may prevent that from happening for some fighters in the future.
“When a fighter crosses the water they don’t get any favors, so we’re lucky to have national television willing to invest in the sport.
“It is a great opportunity not only for Eric but for all the local fighters that appear on the bill. They will have incredible local and global coverage because it will also be on TG4’s Iplayer. One of the things was that to get on the card you had to be in a good fight and I don’t think anyone can question any of the fights, they’re all good and very exciting.”
