Doghouse Boxing Interviews Frank Maloney
 Interview by Spud Woollatt (December 3, 2004) 
Frank Maloney
When you speak to boxing fans about personalities they know in the sport, most of them will know of the name Frank Maloney. Most fans associate him managing the career of the former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Of The World Lennox Lewis, but that is not the only string to Maloney's bow, in the years since managing Lewis, Maloney has been at the forefront of the careers of Scott Harrison the WBO World Featherweight Champion, Paul Ingle the former IBF World Featherweight Champion, as well as a string of other British & Commonwealth Champions, in addition many of the older fans will know Maloney was at the forefront of the Benn/Watson fight promotion at Finsbury Park in London . Indeed there are very few if any who can surpass Maloney's achievements in boxing as a manager/promoter.

Frank is an avid reader of the various boxing websites, indeed he visits doghouseboxing.com on a regular basis in particular the British Discussion Forum to see what the fans have to say. Unfortunately at times Frank has been less than happy at what he feels have been personal and "Out Of Order" comments, this has not swayed his opinion that boxing websites do have a fundamental role in the sport.

I caught up with Frank who spoke in a very open and honest way . This is what he had to say .

It was this point before the interview started that Frank Maloney had a few questions for me. He asked what journalistic experience I had. I stated that I did not have any qualifications or experience whatsoever, but, I stated I felt due to being a member of the team at doghouseboxing.com, I was providing the fans a service from a boxing fans point of view.

Maloney was not finished with me at this stage, he asked me what shows I had paid to see in comparison to the ones I had actually attended, I conceded as I already had on the British Discussion forum, I rarely paid for shows as I was normally working for promoters on many occasions and thus getting the best of both worlds working as well as watching the fights. Maloney even had a mention for our British Editor Ben Carey. I stated that I could not answer for Ben Carey, I believed he had no journalistic experience whatsoever either.

I stressed that I believed this had no relevance as doghouseboxing.com was a professional website and its running of day to day business was assisted by the fans. I finished by stating that I believed a lot of the articles we wrote were extremely good and Sportsnetwork fighters as well as those managed by Maloney had benefited from some very well written fight reports and interviews.

Spud . Frank good afternoon, firstly you have made no secret of your opinions concerning the boxing websites and their discussion forums, do you feel the various websites have a role in the sport, and what are your opinions concerning the people who frequent these sites?

Frank M . I believe boxing needs genuine boxing fans, if they are genuine they turn up and buy their tickets and I certainly do not have a problem with them. There is certainly not a problem with constructive criticism and points of opinions, but when there is a problem, it is when people go onto these websites under false names making personal comments. If they are not afraid of what they are saying, why don't they use their normal names, then leave their contact details somewhere, so, people like myself can respond straight away to whatever point they may have?

However some people hide behind false names, in fact I have been looking at some comments today, some comments I find hilarious, a lot of the criticism is taken on board and I do not have a problem with that, if I think comments are genuine then I will absorb it and sometimes act on it. It is very easy for someone to sit in an armchair and be an armchair critic, but I can imagine some of these people before websites were invented, they had no place to air their frustrations, so they probably laid in bed at night reading pornographic magazines jerking themselves off.

Spud . Before we move on, is there anything else you would like to say concerning the internet boxing websites?

Frank M: I believe boxing websites do have a value in the sport, because they keep up to date information, as unfortunately newspapers do not do the job they should do, there are a lot of journalists who work hard to get their work in the papers who are hampered by their editors, this is because Premiership Football is the be all and end all. I actually think that is a problem throughout Europe where football is the main thing.

I do not have a problem with boxing websites overall, the real problem I have is that anyone can start up a website without any journalistic experience, and they can make what ever comments they want without any censorship which is wrong. A proper journalist has to go to college to learn his trade and he has an editor who he has to answer to. If that journalist writes anything bad or defamatory they know they can be sued, but unfortunately people on some websites think they can just put up what they want. Spud, you are guilty of it, you yourself have had letters from lawyers from some of the things you have wrote, in fact some websites have been closed down and this would not have happened if they were in the right.

Spud: Do you not think some personalities are over sensitive with regards to comments on websites, when you take into consideration how volatile other sporting websites and entertainment websites are?

FM . No I don't, if someone really believes they have been slandered or lied about, they have a right to defend themselves. Even my daughter has said to me, "Dad, why are these people saying this about you?", I do not think that is right, I do not go onto websites to insult people. I have in the past used the word "anorak" but that is a common phrase, I have read some of the comments written about myself and think some of these people must be morons to write what they have.

I have been in boxing since the age of 10, I have boxed, although I was not that good at it and I was a reasonable trainer, I did reasonably well at it and I have done very well at managing and promoting. I know I am blowing my own trumpet but I believe I am one of the best boxing managers in this country and my record stands alone, there are only a few of us who are totally full time in the sport and who commit themselves totally to the sport. The fans have to realise boxing is also a business, fighters go into the ring to earn a living, they do not go into the ring to win a medal or a trophy they go into that ring to earn a living and I am sure a lot of fighters appreciate their managers the way they are looked after and a lot of my fighters have earned some very good money, but it does not give people the right to say what they want, if someone wants to criticise me and it is constructive then I will listen say for instance if someone wants to say "Maloney is talking a load of Baloney" I do not have a problem with that. So constructive criticism is okay but direct personal insults is not.

Spud:  Who is the best boxer you have ever managed or trained, although that sounds an obvious question, but I am interested in your thoughts?

Well Lennox Lewis was the most successful and obviously achieved the ultimate prize in sport, so a lot of my work and success has been connected to Lennox Lewis, Paul Ingle was a great story until it unfortunately all went wrong, Scott Harrison has been a great story because he has been with me since day one. There are other fighters on the way and in the past who were very good young fighters in their own right and who have a place in my memory, because not every fighter you sign is going to be a world champion, and I have had as much satisfaction out of managing some of my lesser known fighters as I have with the bigger names such as Lennox Lewis. I would also like to add one of my fighters Graham Earl is going to have a fantastic 2005 and will have a lot of people talking about him.

Spud: Do you feel frustrated you did not get more credit for what you did for Lennox Lewis behind the scenes in managing his career. Everyone associates you with Lennox and how hard you had to work to manipulate a world championship fight for him? Some even say if it were not for you he would not have achieved some of the things he did as quickly? In addition is there any bitterness at the split with Lennox when it happened?

I have to say at first I was a little angry and a little bit bitter as I felt Lennox was listening to the wrong people and it was wrong for me to be accused of some of the things that were said. Lennox seems to have a bit of a selective memory of the events as he forgets the meeting we had at his house and what was discussed between us 2. The real answer is I no longer feel bitter or frustrated.

I know what I did for Lennox, I do not have to worry about the recognition or credit, as I am in the sporting history books for what I achieved. I earnt a very good living with Lennox Lewis which has enabled me to have a very nice life style and I am recognised throughout the world of boxing for what I done, and I can live with that. I do not have a problem with what people think about Lennox Lewis, and me and I certainly do not have any grudges against Lennox. I get on with my life and Lennox gets on with his.

I am glad Lennox Lewis has retired and firmly believe he will stay as such, no matter what Vitali Klitschko or anyone else who calls him out. Lennox has achieved everything he needs to and he has nothing else to prove.

Spud:  What was your favourite Lennox Lewis fight?

The Razzor Ruddock and Frank Bruno fights for different reasons.

Spud: What is the latest news on Scott Harrison, I know yourself, Scott and his father Peter went to Vegas to watch the Barrera/Morales fight, what did you make of that fight and is a fight with Barrera any closer?

I just want to go back to the Internet sites. I have just read some disgraceful and personal comments concerning Scott on another site, what gives these people the right to say this about a guy who goes into the ring and risks everything. I will add I have read only this evening comments on doghouseboxing.com which were extremely complimentary and quite positive.

Spud:  Frank I think a lot of the criticism of Scott stems from the
Samuel Kebede fight .

It is not Scott Harrison's fault he fought Kebede, as his manager I picked the opponent and I have to say Kebede was ranked at No 5 in the rankings, no matter what anyone wants to say he was number 5. I did not see any website or any newspaper criticise the choice of opponent, in that I mean not one of them forecasted a one round blow out prior to the fight, but there again
hindsight is a wonderful thing.

TV knew the opponent in plenty of time and there was no objection. At the end of the day Scott Harrison had an easy night at the office, once in a while he is entitled to that as he has been matched fairly hard throughout his career. Scott fought the number 1 in the ratings and beat him. He also fought Wayne McCullough who a lot of people gave a great chance; Scott took him apart so give him credit for what he is due. Scott Harrison is not responsible for the opponent, I am.

You mentioned in your question about the Barrera & Morales fight, to be honest I actually had Morales winning, because I was told not to score rounds even. I know some people will disagree, but boxing is all about opinion and people have different views on how they see a fight. Scott was there and he was impressed with the fight, Scott would like to fight either one with it be Morales or Barrera, and obviously we will try our best to make that fight for Scott.

Spud: Could you tell the fans, how soon or what possibilities of that fight
have of happening or if another big fight is in the pipeline and when is
Scott fighting next?

We are not in the driving seat. Barrera's people are in the driving seat and their TV Company so it is up to them. We have already spoken to the head of HBO. In addition we have also made a very good offer to In Jin Chi's people, it is a better offer than the purse Chi received for fighting
Michael Brodie.

Scott will fight again probably at the end of January or the beginning of February.

Spud: Many people associated you with running Panix Promotions; you then decided to join forces with Frank Warren at Sportsnetwork. How has it gone with Frank Warren, and have you learnt anything?

Things have gone very well. The reason why I went over to join Frank Warren was because I had a very good stable of boxers. I looked at the state of the sport and saw who could offer them something worthwhile and it was definitely Sportsnetwork and Frank Warren.

With regards to whether I have learnt anything since joining Sportsnetwork, Spud you learn something new every day.

Spud: The next thing I want to ask you is the controversy surrounding the Danny Hunt and Lee Meager fight. Is there no chance of a rematch?

You can never say there is no chance; we will just see what happens. The Meager Hunt thing has now passed and Danny Hunt is now going to move on, there is nothing more to say about the matter.

With regards to what happens with Danny next, he will have a rest and we will then move in the direction that Danny Hunt should do after I have sat down to discuss matters with Danny and his trainer. We are also going out sometime next week for a celebratory meal.

Spud: What about your other fighters like Martin Power and Graham Earl?

Martin fights for the British Title on 11th December and Graham Earl will fight in the New Year with a view to him fighting for a world title within the next 18 months. I really do believe we are entering in some exciting times for Graham Earl.

Spud: How do you see Danny Williams and Vitali Klitschko panning out?

I think it is very important for British Boxing that Danny Williams wins the fight and I think he can. When Lennox won the world title it gave boxing a tremendous lift in the media and I am hoping Danny can do it. I am sure Jimmy McDonnell (Danny's Trainer) has seen some weaknesses in Klitschko that Danny can exploit. It will be a great night for British Boxing if Danny can bring the WBC Title home.

Spud: Frank are you not concerned for British Boxing when you see your other competitors to Sportsnetwork not receiving extensions to their TV contracts, and thus providing Sportsnetwork some viable opposition?

No. Only the fittest will survive and those who know their job. Spud I will turn this question on you, you seem very dismissive of other websites when mentioned in comparison to doghouseboxing.com and wanting to be the best, is this not the same thing in the boxing promotional world? (At this point I conceded to Maloney I saw the point he was making).

Spud: Frank, thank you for taking the time to talk to doghouseboxing.com is there anything else you want to say?

Yes Spud. Firstly I understand the fans frustrations at some things, for instance there are far too many titles and governing bodies, however my job as a manager is if there is a title vacant and money to be earnt for one of my boxers then I have no choice but to allow my boxer to box for that particular title. Professional boxing is a business as stated earlier in this interview and boxers step into the ring to earn money, so you cannot blame the boxers and promoters for working the system that presently exists in the sport. I will not deny that I am fan who who in the ideal world wants to see one world title for each division, but times have changed.

I want to stress boxing is one of those sports where it is all about opinion. I am just like everyone else I am a boxing fan, if you look at some fights like Williams/Simpson, Vanzie/Earl, Morales/Barrera and Meager/Hunt, if there were a hundred people in the room asked to comment on those close fights you are always going to get a big difference in opinions. In addition watching a fight live, then watching the fight on TV with the commentary turned down you can actually change your viewpoint on how a fight has gone.

I also want to stress as I have done throughout this interview, boxing is about opinion and criticism as long as those opinions are constructive and respectful then no one is going to mind people stating theirs, people on all boxing websites must learn to be a little more reserved or respectful when stating theirs.
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