Haye & Schaefer Form Hayemaker Ringstar
David Haye’s Hayemaker Promotions has announced a deal with Richard Schaefer’s Ringstar Sports, to form a new promotions company, Hayemaker Ringstar.
The deal brings together the two boxing figures; former world heavyweight champion David Haye and former Golden Boy Promotions CEO, Schaefer, who is also the founder of Ringstar Sports. The deal marks Schaefer’s first business venture in the UK market.
Hayemaker Ringstar will establish a stable of boxers, including current world champions and the UK’s next top prospects. The company has said it will sign an exclusive deal with a major UK broadcaster, and that it aims to be recognised as the home of world champions and future world champions.
As CEO of Golden Boy Promotions from 2002 to 2014, Schaefer promoted what were – at the time – the two biggest selling pay-per-view events in boxing history – Floyd Mayweather versus De La Hoya in 2007, and Mayweather versus Canelo Alvarez in 2013.
David Haye said: “The joint venture with Hayemaker and Ringstar will send shockwaves through British boxing. Together, we are creating a new kind of promotions entity. Throughout the history of boxing, the fighter has worked for the promoter, the core values of Hayemaker Ringstar will turn this on its head. We will work for the fighter. This shift will impact an incredible sport in a hugely positive way. Hayemaker Ringstar will be renown for discovering amazing young talent, nurturing, empowering, and helping them to become global stars.
“The promoters who have dominated the British scene until now have done a good job. But with Richard’s unrivalled track record coupled with my first hand insight understanding the needs of a fighter through the evolution of their career Hayemaker Ringstar provides fighters with the perfect environment to maximise their potential, both in the ring and commercially. I have no doubt that Hayemaker Ringstar will become the UK’s leading promotional company.”
Richard Schaefer said: “I’m delighted to be partnering with David to form Hayemaker Ringstar. The UK is a great market for boxing, with exciting fighters and passionate fans, and we’re determined to work with the most talented boxers to give people the fights they want to see.
“I’ve wanted to set up in the UK for a long time, but it was important to partner with a team who knows the market. I couldn’t ask for a better partner than David – we’re both incredibly passionate about the sport, we both want to put fighters first, and we’re both committed to bringing boxing to the masses.”
The first fight to be promoted by Hayemaker Ringstar will be Haye’s heavyweight clash with Tony Bellew, a co-promotion with Matchroom Boxing, at London’s O2 Arena on 4th March.
