The BBC and Boxxer bring boxing back to free TV – let’s hope they don’t spoil it

The BBC’s determined boxing deserves a seat back at the table on Saturday night, joining Boxxer to stream fighting on the BBC’s iPlayer and broadcasting them on a good old TV. That’s right – you won’t need to pay £ 20 on PPV to watch the hope of some over -made Latvian hope. For now.

It is not just the main fighting, either. They will chuck in a few sub-cards, behind the scenes pieces, and some filling features across the BBC’s site and sports app. It sounds nice, but most of us want to fight a decent without three hours of introduction and half -time montages that looks like they were made for the Six Nations.

The BBC says back boxing – but will anyone worry?

Alex Kay-Jelski of BBC Sport is already patio himself on the back, talks about bringing boxing to “younger audiences” and giving them “the next generation” of fighters. The “next generation” is great and all, but if the mating junk, no one is going to keep around past three. This sport needs real blood, drama and competition-not just a shiny set and a pre-fighting panel.

Shalom promises the “maximum audience” – yes we’ve heard that before

Boxxer boss Ben Shalom calls him “historical” and says they will bring the most “entertaining” fighters to the largest audience. Translation: They will try to make stars not compromised too soon. Hopefully that means fighting a real 50/50 instead of another unbeaten child against a cab driver with six consecutive losses.

This could be a victory for fans … if they don’t fill it with safe matches and padding records. BBC’s has the platform, Boxxer has the fighters – now let’s see if they have the gut to give a fight that is worth watching. Or will it overrelve another Saturday Saturday Snoozefest?