• Boxing

'Bad experiences' forced Sky to scrap PPV

David Haye's showing against Wladimir Klitschko left many fans feeling outraged © PA Photos

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Sky has revealed it has no plans to show fights on pay-per-view in the immediate future.

The broadcasting giant has expressed frustration with the lack of legitimate big fights being made, insisting boxing fans have grown tired of the mismatches on offer.

"If our viewers, our customers, want boxing, we will provide boxing," Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said. "But boxing is in a difficult position at the moment because fans want to see the best boxers fight the best boxers. So people have got fed up."

David Haye's one-sided victory over Audley Harrison in November 2010 was shown on Sky pay-per-view, as was Haye's underwhelming performance in his heavyweight showdown with Wladimir Klitschko in July. Poor responses to those two fights have left Sky wary of asking the public to spend more on the supposed marquee fights.

"We have shelved pay-per-view boxing for the time being because of a couple of bad experiences we had," Francis added. "There was general dissatisfaction with the Haye v Harrison fight, and then the Haye v Klitschko fight - so we don't think it's a great time to ask the public for more investment into pay-per-view boxing."

Meanwhile, Ricky Hatton has revealed he is feeling "anxious" ahead of his debut as a trainer. The former two-weight world champion, who retired in July, will be in the corner of Blackpool's Adam Little in a four-round welterweight contest on the Denton Vassell-Samuel Colomban undercard on November 12.

Hatton told the Daily Mirror: "I'll be nervous and anxious when Adam has his first contest with me in his corner because all eyes will be on me. Just because I have been a good boxer doesn't mean I'm going to be a good coach. Some of the best trainers in the world weren't great boxers.

"Just like I was when I was a fighter I will love the challenge. I'm confident in my own ability and have a lot to offer my fighter. I'll be throwing every punch with Adam because he has put his faith in me.

"I don't want to be in the corner of any fighters where they think I am there for a pay cheque."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.