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Frank Maloney takes a swipe at Sky and Eddie Hearn

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
Veteran promoter slams Matchroom boss

Frank Maloney is obviously still feeling the effects of his recent split with Sky and has taken a dig at the only promoter left dealing with the Network, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport in a recent interview with The Independent.

The long-time promoter, who guided Lennox Lewis to the world heavyweight title, has signed a twelve-month deal with BoxNation this week and feels that his loyalty has gone unappreciated after over twenty years with the satellite TV giants.

"I went with Sky when they first went to air against everyone's advice when everyone told me I was wrong,” Maloney told The Independent.

“I could have done a deal with Barry Hearn to put Lennox Lewis on ITV, but I wanted to be independent and do it my way. It's ironic that Sky now tell me to do a deal with his son, Eddie Hearn. What he knows about boxing I could put on a postage stamp and still sign my name under it."

"What I'm finding is that fighters are listening to other fighters. Certain promoters are using fighters to get to them - buttering them up and making them promises. When those fighters have got no use the promoters will drop them. The grass always looks greener on the other side, but I know from experience that it isn't.

"If I'd had known Hearn would be the only one to stay with Sky, and if they'd had the decency to tell me before I'd done my final show in Aintree [when Price became British and Commonwealth champion], I would have worked within the proper budget. But they tricked me. I accept that's business but they should have told me before. If they had, I'd have done the show within the proper budget I'd set aside.

"But I'm now looking forward to a new era, and I'm sure I'll be celebrating my time in boxing for a lot longer than some other people that have come into the sport."

Maloney is hoping to replicate his successful time alongside Lewis with new up and coming heavyweight David Price, who has been tipped for big things in the next few years after picking up the British title.

The 6ft 8ins Olympic bronze medallist is a focal reason why Maloney has persevered with the fight game after some setbacks over the past few years and it seems that the Sky situation has only made the Londoner more determined to continue in the sport for the foreseeable future.

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