Boxing News Thread
- Thread starter heyzel
- Start date
That would suck if he fought K9 at 160 because if Cotto wins K9 of course would keep his belt at 154. The IBF 154 title has been ridiculous for so long now.
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don't play around, i'll ban you battle.
It's not that bad of a fight if Cotto fights k9 at 154 and drops his 160 belt and campaigns at 154, I'm good with that.
Another possibility, probably a long shot, is Cotto vs Tureano Johnson. Johnson fought on Roc Nation's card and if I'm not mistaken is currently promoted by Roc Nation, so if Cotto is planning on keeping the MW title this fight makes sense. Johnson a top 10-15 guy, a solid defense for Cotto that would set up a Golovkin fight perfectly. Again, probably a long shot, but it's possible.
It's not that bad of a fight if Cotto fights k9 at 154 and drops his 160 belt and campaigns at 154, I'm good with that.
Another possibility, probably a long shot, is Cotto vs Tureano Johnson. Johnson fought on Roc Nation's card and if I'm not mistaken is currently promoted by Roc Nation, so if Cotto is planning on keeping the MW title this fight makes sense. Johnson a top 10-15 guy, a solid defense for Cotto that would set up a Golovkin fight perfectly. Again, probably a long shot, but it's possible.
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I think Cotto is implying he will vacate his 160 title.
Cotto: My career doesn’t depend on Gennady Golovkin
“He [Golovkin] has to wait like anybody else,” Cotto told ESPN.com. “He can do whatever he wants. My career does not depend on Gennady Golovkin. Everything I do will be the best for me. That is what I will do. If that is fighting Gennady Golovkin, I will do it. If not, he can take the middleweight title. He can take it.”
Cotto: My career doesn’t depend on Gennady Golovkin
“He [Golovkin] has to wait like anybody else,” Cotto told ESPN.com. “He can do whatever he wants. My career does not depend on Gennady Golovkin. Everything I do will be the best for me. That is what I will do. If that is fighting Gennady Golovkin, I will do it. If not, he can take the middleweight title. He can take it.”
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Bob Arum's feelings are hurt. Doubt they do business with Cotto again (although they don't really have any fighters that should be fighting Cotto anyways).
"Miguel Cotto is not a man. Miguel Cotto has no word. What we just did there is no name for it. I'm really disappointed with him and his representative Gaby Peñagarícano, who was the one who orchestrated this whole scheme of lies and broken promises. When Miguel returned to me in 2013, he swore on his father that he would be with us forever. And when you make a promise that serious, one [has to live up to it]. Peñagarícano did his thing, Cotto got carried away and now both of them have to live with the consequences of this decision. For me, neither [kept their] word. It's a shame. I'm sure Felix 'Tito' Trinidad would had never did anything like this," Arum told Primera Hora.
Promoter Peter Rivera of Puerto Rico Best Boxing, backed Arum's opinion. Arum had actually done business with Rivera for years, but then stopped in favor of working side by side with Cotto's promotional company. Rivera then started working with Golden Boy.
"In my opinion, I think it's a poor business decision on their part. But only [Cotto] knows the business [specifics] that he has with [Roc Nation owner] Jay-Z. What concerns me is that this endangers his appearances on HBO and Showtime, and then there is Al Haymon who is a personal enemy of Jay Z," Rivera said.
"Apart from this, they cut off a company that made him a champion in the beginning and then, when they wanted to go at it alone and lost two times in a row - they took him back, revived his career vs. Delvin Rodriguez and got him a championship fight with Sergio Martinez, and they were helping him get the fight with Alvarez. Top Rank has an assembled structure and knows everything about this business. Jay-Z has money but he is a rookie in this, and it seems that he wants to buy champions instead of developing them. But again, he did a card in New York that had nothing but losses because it did not sell anything."
"Miguel Cotto is not a man. Miguel Cotto has no word. What we just did there is no name for it. I'm really disappointed with him and his representative Gaby Peñagarícano, who was the one who orchestrated this whole scheme of lies and broken promises. When Miguel returned to me in 2013, he swore on his father that he would be with us forever. And when you make a promise that serious, one [has to live up to it]. Peñagarícano did his thing, Cotto got carried away and now both of them have to live with the consequences of this decision. For me, neither [kept their] word. It's a shame. I'm sure Felix 'Tito' Trinidad would had never did anything like this," Arum told Primera Hora.
Promoter Peter Rivera of Puerto Rico Best Boxing, backed Arum's opinion. Arum had actually done business with Rivera for years, but then stopped in favor of working side by side with Cotto's promotional company. Rivera then started working with Golden Boy.
"In my opinion, I think it's a poor business decision on their part. But only [Cotto] knows the business [specifics] that he has with [Roc Nation owner] Jay-Z. What concerns me is that this endangers his appearances on HBO and Showtime, and then there is Al Haymon who is a personal enemy of Jay Z," Rivera said.
"Apart from this, they cut off a company that made him a champion in the beginning and then, when they wanted to go at it alone and lost two times in a row - they took him back, revived his career vs. Delvin Rodriguez and got him a championship fight with Sergio Martinez, and they were helping him get the fight with Alvarez. Top Rank has an assembled structure and knows everything about this business. Jay-Z has money but he is a rookie in this, and it seems that he wants to buy champions instead of developing them. But again, he did a card in New York that had nothing but losses because it did not sell anything."
And people say GGG hasn't fought anyone? This is the type of shit GGG has to put up with. A guy fights a fighter ranked 17th by one organization and not ranked by others, beats him, goes on to fight a cripple coming off two surgeries and a 14 month layoff, beats him for the title then basically DUCKS the #1 contender for the title.
Hand over the belt, bitch ass nigga. You ducked Canelo and you are basically saying you fear GGG. Bitch ass Cotto. Fuck this nigga.
Hand over the belt, bitch ass nigga. You ducked Canelo and you are basically saying you fear GGG. Bitch ass Cotto. Fuck this nigga.
Freddie isn't loyal to a promoter. Fighters pay Roach not Top Rank, he doesn't care. He's got a good thing going with Cotto he'll stay with him, and he should, 10% of a Cotto purse is a nice pay day.
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"Miguel Cotto ducks no one. If Golovkin wants to fight Miguel Cotto that is what he wants, then fine, Miguel Cotto will give him the belt. Miguel Cotto is dictated by no one, only Miguel Cotto tells Miguel Cotto what Miguel Cotto wants and Miguel Cotto agrees with Miguel Cotto that Miguel Cotto is the decider of Miguel Cotto." - Miguel Cotto on behalf of Miguel Cotto
Adrien Broner “After the fight ask him how hard I hit”
Logan Henry
By Logan Henry March 6, 2015 7:41 pm
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IFWT_Adrian-Broner-21Adrien “The Problem” Broner (29-1 22 KO’s) is one of the headliners for this Saturday’s Premier of the PBC on NBC franchise. Broner will be coming off a hard-earned victory against Emmanuel Taylor in September of last year.
He’ll share the ring with John Molina (27-5 22 KO’s), who’s coming off of two consecutive losses, a unanimous decision loss to Humberto Soto in September of last year and a near consensus fight of the year against Lucas Matthysse in April. The fight will be the co-feature of the evening, alongside the Keith Thurman-Robert Guerrero main event.
Broner was exuding some of his ever present confidence in an interview with The Boxing Voice’s Sean Zittel leading into Saturday’s showdown.
“I’m ready…It doesn’t matter where we fight at as long as I handle my business…We can fight in a closet as long as they show it on NBC, I’m cool.”
With only one loss in his career, coming against the same Marcos Maidana that gave Broner’s mentor Floyd Mayweather problems in their first fight last year. Broner is in a similar position as a number of the fighters in Haymon’s stable as the PBC series is set to kick off. That is, to become a superstar and household name by proving himself on national television in front of a prime time audience.
The Problem sounded assured of a knockout heading into the fight with Molina.
“We’re going to stop him; we’re going to stop him…What about my power? He’s got 35 fights and 22 knockouts, I’ve got 30 fights and 22 knockouts and we came from the same weight class…I’m just saying, after the fight ask him how hard I hit.”
While Broner’s power seems to have diminished somewhat as he’s moved up in weight, it’s still been evident that it’s a strength for him, as his 10th round flash knockdown of Emmanuel Taylor showed. In what could turn out to be a slugfest with the always game Molina, Broner will need his power to be on full display.
The PBC on NBC special will be the return of boxing to national, primetime television and with it hopefully the return of mainstream sports media attention as well as the eyes of more casual fans. “It’s a lovely atmosphere…We’re not only bringing boxing back as a worldwide sport; we’re bringing the world back to boxing,” said Broner when asked how he felt about fighting on NBC. Broner not only understands the opportunity he has on Saturday, the man seeking to be known as Mr. NBC is ready to seize it on the world stage.
Logan Henry
By Logan Henry March 6, 2015 7:41 pm
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IFWT_Adrian-Broner-21Adrien “The Problem” Broner (29-1 22 KO’s) is one of the headliners for this Saturday’s Premier of the PBC on NBC franchise. Broner will be coming off a hard-earned victory against Emmanuel Taylor in September of last year.
He’ll share the ring with John Molina (27-5 22 KO’s), who’s coming off of two consecutive losses, a unanimous decision loss to Humberto Soto in September of last year and a near consensus fight of the year against Lucas Matthysse in April. The fight will be the co-feature of the evening, alongside the Keith Thurman-Robert Guerrero main event.
Broner was exuding some of his ever present confidence in an interview with The Boxing Voice’s Sean Zittel leading into Saturday’s showdown.
“I’m ready…It doesn’t matter where we fight at as long as I handle my business…We can fight in a closet as long as they show it on NBC, I’m cool.”
With only one loss in his career, coming against the same Marcos Maidana that gave Broner’s mentor Floyd Mayweather problems in their first fight last year. Broner is in a similar position as a number of the fighters in Haymon’s stable as the PBC series is set to kick off. That is, to become a superstar and household name by proving himself on national television in front of a prime time audience.
The Problem sounded assured of a knockout heading into the fight with Molina.
“We’re going to stop him; we’re going to stop him…What about my power? He’s got 35 fights and 22 knockouts, I’ve got 30 fights and 22 knockouts and we came from the same weight class…I’m just saying, after the fight ask him how hard I hit.”
While Broner’s power seems to have diminished somewhat as he’s moved up in weight, it’s still been evident that it’s a strength for him, as his 10th round flash knockdown of Emmanuel Taylor showed. In what could turn out to be a slugfest with the always game Molina, Broner will need his power to be on full display.
The PBC on NBC special will be the return of boxing to national, primetime television and with it hopefully the return of mainstream sports media attention as well as the eyes of more casual fans. “It’s a lovely atmosphere…We’re not only bringing boxing back as a worldwide sport; we’re bringing the world back to boxing,” said Broner when asked how he felt about fighting on NBC. Broner not only understands the opportunity he has on Saturday, the man seeking to be known as Mr. NBC is ready to seize it on the world stage.
Maidana Fight Casts Shadow Over Broner’s Promotion Of PBC Fight
Timothy Bartolini
By Timothy Bartolini March 6, 2015 6:03 pm
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Marcos Maidana vs Adrien BronerThaBoxingVoice caught up with Adrien Broner (29-1 22 KO’s) in Las Vegas during a press event promoting his Saturday fight with John Molina Jr 27-5 22 KO’s) on Al Haymon’s debut of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC.
Appearing on the debut of “PBC on NBC” will be the largest event that Broner has been attached to since his 2013 defeat at the heavy hands of Marcos Maidana. Although Broner had since bounced back with two wins, the public’s focus seems to remain on that setback to Maidana.
Broner may have been there to promote his fight with John Molina Jr. but the press is still asking about a Maidana rematch.
“I gave him the hardest fight of his life on my worst night… right now that’s not my main obstacle; right now, my main obstacle is John Molina, and we gonna go to the drawing board after that.”
Broner is certainly half right. I’m not sure whether he was at his worst that night against Maidana, but he is being smart in focusing on John Molina Jr. over a rematch with Maidana at the moment. For a guy that has a reputation for distractions and letting himself get out of shape between fights, he seems to have his head in the right place for this fight.
Broner’s distractions were brought back to the fore when he was asked about his past distractions in relation to his new seemingly more focused approach. Adrien Broner wasn’t having any of it. He insists that he has always come in shape and used the Maidana fight as his evidence.
“If I didn’t train hard, I wouldn’t have been able to finish the Maidana fight like I did… as strong as I did and if he didn’t catch me in the late rounds, he wouldn’t of won that fight but at the end of the day, we’re here to talk about John Molina and Adrien Broner and how how good Adrien Broner gonna look.”
Adrien Broner is right. The focus should be on his fight with John Molina Jr. The problem that “The Problem” has is that since that fight with Maidana, he has not been in the ring with anyone that would force us move on from what we witnessed in 2013. If the inconsistent John Molina Jr. comes in and looks underwhelming against Broner, these same questions will remain and they will continue to do so until he overcomes an obstacle that equals what he faced in Marcos Maidana 15 months ago.
You can see Adrien Broner fight John Molina Jr. on March 7th on primetime network television during the debut broadcast of Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions on NBC.
Timothy Bartolini
By Timothy Bartolini March 6, 2015 6:03 pm
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Marcos Maidana vs Adrien BronerThaBoxingVoice caught up with Adrien Broner (29-1 22 KO’s) in Las Vegas during a press event promoting his Saturday fight with John Molina Jr 27-5 22 KO’s) on Al Haymon’s debut of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC.
Appearing on the debut of “PBC on NBC” will be the largest event that Broner has been attached to since his 2013 defeat at the heavy hands of Marcos Maidana. Although Broner had since bounced back with two wins, the public’s focus seems to remain on that setback to Maidana.
Broner may have been there to promote his fight with John Molina Jr. but the press is still asking about a Maidana rematch.
“I gave him the hardest fight of his life on my worst night… right now that’s not my main obstacle; right now, my main obstacle is John Molina, and we gonna go to the drawing board after that.”
Broner is certainly half right. I’m not sure whether he was at his worst that night against Maidana, but he is being smart in focusing on John Molina Jr. over a rematch with Maidana at the moment. For a guy that has a reputation for distractions and letting himself get out of shape between fights, he seems to have his head in the right place for this fight.
Broner’s distractions were brought back to the fore when he was asked about his past distractions in relation to his new seemingly more focused approach. Adrien Broner wasn’t having any of it. He insists that he has always come in shape and used the Maidana fight as his evidence.
“If I didn’t train hard, I wouldn’t have been able to finish the Maidana fight like I did… as strong as I did and if he didn’t catch me in the late rounds, he wouldn’t of won that fight but at the end of the day, we’re here to talk about John Molina and Adrien Broner and how how good Adrien Broner gonna look.”
Adrien Broner is right. The focus should be on his fight with John Molina Jr. The problem that “The Problem” has is that since that fight with Maidana, he has not been in the ring with anyone that would force us move on from what we witnessed in 2013. If the inconsistent John Molina Jr. comes in and looks underwhelming against Broner, these same questions will remain and they will continue to do so until he overcomes an obstacle that equals what he faced in Marcos Maidana 15 months ago.
You can see Adrien Broner fight John Molina Jr. on March 7th on primetime network television during the debut broadcast of Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions on NBC.
Deontay Wilder to Tyson Fury: Don’t go the Klitschko route, go my route!
date March 7th, 2015 | Post Comment - 7 Comments
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photo: wladimir klitschko tyson fury deontay wilder By Scott Gilfoid: WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs) says he really wants a fight against Britain’s Tyson Fury (24-0, 18 KOs) so he can be the first one to give the 6’9” Brit a defeat. Deontay isn’t too happy that Fury has decided to go after IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko’s titles rather than him.
Wilder doesn’t want Fury to face Wladimir for more than one reason. Wilder obviously wants the Fury fight first due to the huge attention and the money the fight would make.
Additionally, Wilder wants to fight Fury first, because he likely knows that the chances of Fury getting knocked out by the hard-hitting 6’6” Wladimir are very high. Once Fury has been exposed in a knockout loss to Wladimir, then it’ll decrease much of the interest in a future Wilder-Fury fight.
In other words, Fury will be seen as damaged goods by a lot of boxing fans. To be sure, Fury will eventually be able to rebuild his career to the point where a Wilder-Fury fight will be a big deal, but the likelihood is that it’s going to take at least 2 to 4 years for Fury to accomplish that task.
That’s a long time for Wilder to wait, and I’m not sure that the fight will ever be what it could have been had Fury faced Wilder while he was still unbeaten.
“He’s [Fury] already trying to go another route,” Wilder said of Tyson Fury to esnewsreporting.com. “I want him really bad. I’m tired of all the talking. It’s been three years since we’ve been doing this. I’m at the point where I’m in a no talk zone. I got what you want [the WBC heavyweight title], so you know where to find me. So let’s make it happen. Don’t go the Klitschko route; go my route,” Wilder said.
The fact of the matter is that Fury will be taking the fight against Wladimir first, even though it’ll likely make Fury less money than a fight against Wilder would. Fury says he wants to fight Wladimir because he’s perceived to be the best heavyweight in the division, and he wants to be seen beating him so that he can get all the praise from the boxing world.
I think there’s another reason why Fury wants to fight Wladimir rather than Deontay. If Fury faces Wilder and takes a quick knockout loss, then Fury won’t be seen as someone that can take charge of the heavyweight division in the future due to Deontay still being there.
If Fury loses to the 38-year-old Wladimir, then Fury can tell boxing fans that he’ll be taking over once Wladimir retires from the sport in the near future. Fury can say that and many of his fans will give him a free pass for his knockout loss to Wladimir. But with Wilder still being a young heavyweight at 29, he’s still going to be around for another 10 years to haunt Fury.
This means that Fury won’t be seen by his fans as the future of the heavyweight division due to Wilder still being there as an unmovable force that Fury doesn’t have the chin or the talent to beat
date March 7th, 2015 | Post Comment - 7 Comments
Share the post "Deontay Wilder to Tyson Fury: Don’t go the Klitschko route, go my route!"
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photo: wladimir klitschko tyson fury deontay wilder By Scott Gilfoid: WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs) says he really wants a fight against Britain’s Tyson Fury (24-0, 18 KOs) so he can be the first one to give the 6’9” Brit a defeat. Deontay isn’t too happy that Fury has decided to go after IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko’s titles rather than him.
Wilder doesn’t want Fury to face Wladimir for more than one reason. Wilder obviously wants the Fury fight first due to the huge attention and the money the fight would make.
Additionally, Wilder wants to fight Fury first, because he likely knows that the chances of Fury getting knocked out by the hard-hitting 6’6” Wladimir are very high. Once Fury has been exposed in a knockout loss to Wladimir, then it’ll decrease much of the interest in a future Wilder-Fury fight.
In other words, Fury will be seen as damaged goods by a lot of boxing fans. To be sure, Fury will eventually be able to rebuild his career to the point where a Wilder-Fury fight will be a big deal, but the likelihood is that it’s going to take at least 2 to 4 years for Fury to accomplish that task.
That’s a long time for Wilder to wait, and I’m not sure that the fight will ever be what it could have been had Fury faced Wilder while he was still unbeaten.
“He’s [Fury] already trying to go another route,” Wilder said of Tyson Fury to esnewsreporting.com. “I want him really bad. I’m tired of all the talking. It’s been three years since we’ve been doing this. I’m at the point where I’m in a no talk zone. I got what you want [the WBC heavyweight title], so you know where to find me. So let’s make it happen. Don’t go the Klitschko route; go my route,” Wilder said.
The fact of the matter is that Fury will be taking the fight against Wladimir first, even though it’ll likely make Fury less money than a fight against Wilder would. Fury says he wants to fight Wladimir because he’s perceived to be the best heavyweight in the division, and he wants to be seen beating him so that he can get all the praise from the boxing world.
I think there’s another reason why Fury wants to fight Wladimir rather than Deontay. If Fury faces Wilder and takes a quick knockout loss, then Fury won’t be seen as someone that can take charge of the heavyweight division in the future due to Deontay still being there.
If Fury loses to the 38-year-old Wladimir, then Fury can tell boxing fans that he’ll be taking over once Wladimir retires from the sport in the near future. Fury can say that and many of his fans will give him a free pass for his knockout loss to Wladimir. But with Wilder still being a young heavyweight at 29, he’s still going to be around for another 10 years to haunt Fury.
This means that Fury won’t be seen by his fans as the future of the heavyweight division due to Wilder still being there as an unmovable force that Fury doesn’t have the chin or the talent to beat
Very well written article. I agree with the point of Haymon having to come out from behind the curtain. Lurking in the shadows is counterproductive to PBC's success in this day and age. It may work on Showtime PPV, but not on network tv in the long run.
Is Haymon’s “PBC” Series Set for Failure Before it Begins?
Mario Mungia
By Mario Mungia March 7, 2015 6:39 pm
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Al HaymonThe day is here, and Al Haymon’s grand scheme is finally coming to fruition as the first “PBC” series event will broadcast live on prime time NBC in just a few hours.
This move was expected for some time, but the actual planning that went into this decision took much longer than most assume. Haymon didn’t just wake up one day and consider the possibilities of “taking boxing back to pop culture’s forefront” and he certainly couldn’t have arranged all of the little intricacies that are going into this first broadcast without careful deliberation over time.
It is nice to see Marv Albert and Al Michaels part of the broadcast team. I’m happy for “Sugar” Ray Leonard and it will be nice to see him back in the boxing mix as a part of the sport and not just as an unofficial ambassador at pricey plate dinner charity nights.
And yes, I admit it is pretty cool to see Hans Zimmer do some production work as a composer of the opening score and I believe he will have a hand in future “lead up” type shows, as well.
There is an awful lot of fancy going into this series and “PBC” is sure to be a force in the boxing world with its stable alone, but there is one key piece missing that could have a negative impact on Haymon’s chances at success.
The fact is the “PBC” series is virtually unrecognizable right now, and I admit that Haymon is doing everything he can to build this brand the right way, but I can’t help but feel he has missed some chances.
As of the last 2-3 days, we’ve seen HEAVY promotion on various networks, promoting today’s card and the fact that boxing is “coming back to network TV.” However, where was all of this promotion two months ago and why is it so short sided?
In an era of media that gives us virtual connection at any moment’s notice, why does it feel like this promotion was done with the purpose of exclusivity? The actual commercial was pretentious, but that was a directorial decision, and I understand the idea. But the lack of genuine content over the course of 2-3 months is purposeful, but for what purpose.
Haymon’s initial press conference to announce the “PBC” series took place almost 2 months ago, yet the promotion never really kicked off in the traditional sense.
The presser was a curious event as well. First, the media list was invite only, which was incredibly stupid. I’m not challenging that decision because I wasn’t on the list, I make no mistake in judging my own esteem as a “boxing writer.” I think it was a mistake to make the presser invite only because the best workers on the boxing beat weren’t present. The writers and videographers that make us pay attention to a single event or fighter were missing, which didn’t do the announcement any favors.
I’m not a huge Gabriel Montoya fan, in fact I’m not one at all, but I admit that I would’ve been excited to read something from him regarding the drug testing policy implemented by Haymon on his fighters competing under the “PBC” banner. I don’t know if Montoya would’ve covered the event, I don’t really care, but that is just one example of the regular scribes missing in action that could’ve done the announcement justice.
Instead, what we got, for the most part, was the same “old” coverage that we expect from the traditional “inches conscious” writers. There was some great coverage from the pros that always bring their A-game, but a lot of the coverage was the same down the line.
So what do we have from a boxing fan’s standpoint? We have a couple of legends in broadcasting in Marv Albert and Al Michaels, who once covered the sport thoroughly but haven’t been really associated with the sport in years and I doubt they ever watched Broner’s destruction of Eloy Perez or Robert Guerrero fight on Unimas. Does that mean they can’t do a great job: of course not. Does it matter from a “boxing coverage” standpoint, of course it does.
And what about Ray Leonard, I’m glad he’s got a gig, but he hasn’t been an active voice in boxing in years. Things have changed since Leonard was a champion in boxing and a champion for boxing. Will he toe the party line and give his take with a Haymon bias in mind, or will he speak the truth in the moments that call for it?
I say all of this to say it doesn’t matter. Hardcore fans will show up for the fights, and casual fans won’t know any better to question those moments when the broadcast team gets it wrong.
So what could’ve been overlooked by Haymon that could make this a less than successful venture?
All of my points tie into one major point. The biggest issue is the “PBC” brand does not have a face behind it. It is a longstanding tradition for a promotion to have a mainstay fighter or cash cow, just as it is practical business sense for a company to get a top athlete to endorse their product.
“PBC” needs a fighter to hoist its flag the way Pacquiao does Top Rank’s or the way Canelo Alvarez does Golden Boy Promotions.
Even if they don’t have that fighter right now, they can build one, and they certainly have the talent to do so. But it doesn’t take away from not having a face for the company. For years, Al Haymon has avoided any and all media. As far as the commercial market goes Haymon is not a recluse because that would insinuate he was once in the spotlight. Instead, Haymon is a ghost.
But whether Haymon likes it or not, whether he accepts it or not, he has become the face of the “PBC” series. I’ve seen every press release that has come through for “PBC” and Haymon’s name has never been on one of them. And, from what I’m told, Haymon’s name was never even mentioned at the presser.
Haymon doesn’t want to be a figurehead in boxing, but it’s far too late for that. His allusiveness has worked against him, and all the secrecy has made him more appealing to those that have only ever gathered whispers about the powerful advisor.
Haymon needs to be a part of the promotion, if not he needs to find a suitable replacement. The situation is comparable to Oscar De La Hoya’s own promotional enterprise. When De La Hoya started Golden Boy Promotions, he was the figurehead, and he put his popularity at the forefront.
De La Hoya promoted the first several GBP cards by showing up to the town in which they were promoting an event and signed autographs, took pictures, and gave interviews to the media. He used his brand to help jumpstart GBP.
Then, De La Hoya used his in-ring popularity to parlay an output deal with HBO, who would buy GBP shows to keep De La Hoya fighting on their network. It is a proven method in boxing.
For “PBC” to become a powerhouse they need to adapt to the current state of boxing, but they can’t forget the tested methods that have worked for decades in the sport
I know the counterargument to my point, and that is Haymon can be successful without being a symbolic figure or the face of the company, so long as he provides exciting, competitive matchups like the ones today.
However, who says that is true? I admit that the lack of competitive matchups in boxing helped to destroy the commercial appeal, but who’s to say that the damage isn’t irreparable and that boxing has been out of the limelight for so long that it won’t be saved by some great matchups on paper.
That’s the other thing that people seemed confused on because everyone mentions the potential success for “PBC” based on a series of interesting matchups, but we can’t say that these matchups will provide the necessary fireworks the casual fan needs to become enthralled in boxing’s permanent landscape.
Sure, Danny Garcia versus Adrien Broner would be huge, but not to the people that have never heard of them, and before those casual fans by into a Garcia-Broner matchup both men have to make entertaining fights in their respective “PBC” on NBC debuts.
I feel like too much emphasis is being placed on the general interests of two men fighting and not enough on the pop culture influence fighters have had over the years.
I’m not saying that “PBC” will fail, I’m just saying if it does it will be partly because OZ decided against coming out from behind the curtain
Is Haymon’s “PBC” Series Set for Failure Before it Begins?
Mario Mungia
By Mario Mungia March 7, 2015 6:39 pm
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Al HaymonThe day is here, and Al Haymon’s grand scheme is finally coming to fruition as the first “PBC” series event will broadcast live on prime time NBC in just a few hours.
This move was expected for some time, but the actual planning that went into this decision took much longer than most assume. Haymon didn’t just wake up one day and consider the possibilities of “taking boxing back to pop culture’s forefront” and he certainly couldn’t have arranged all of the little intricacies that are going into this first broadcast without careful deliberation over time.
It is nice to see Marv Albert and Al Michaels part of the broadcast team. I’m happy for “Sugar” Ray Leonard and it will be nice to see him back in the boxing mix as a part of the sport and not just as an unofficial ambassador at pricey plate dinner charity nights.
And yes, I admit it is pretty cool to see Hans Zimmer do some production work as a composer of the opening score and I believe he will have a hand in future “lead up” type shows, as well.
There is an awful lot of fancy going into this series and “PBC” is sure to be a force in the boxing world with its stable alone, but there is one key piece missing that could have a negative impact on Haymon’s chances at success.
The fact is the “PBC” series is virtually unrecognizable right now, and I admit that Haymon is doing everything he can to build this brand the right way, but I can’t help but feel he has missed some chances.
As of the last 2-3 days, we’ve seen HEAVY promotion on various networks, promoting today’s card and the fact that boxing is “coming back to network TV.” However, where was all of this promotion two months ago and why is it so short sided?
In an era of media that gives us virtual connection at any moment’s notice, why does it feel like this promotion was done with the purpose of exclusivity? The actual commercial was pretentious, but that was a directorial decision, and I understand the idea. But the lack of genuine content over the course of 2-3 months is purposeful, but for what purpose.
Haymon’s initial press conference to announce the “PBC” series took place almost 2 months ago, yet the promotion never really kicked off in the traditional sense.
The presser was a curious event as well. First, the media list was invite only, which was incredibly stupid. I’m not challenging that decision because I wasn’t on the list, I make no mistake in judging my own esteem as a “boxing writer.” I think it was a mistake to make the presser invite only because the best workers on the boxing beat weren’t present. The writers and videographers that make us pay attention to a single event or fighter were missing, which didn’t do the announcement any favors.
I’m not a huge Gabriel Montoya fan, in fact I’m not one at all, but I admit that I would’ve been excited to read something from him regarding the drug testing policy implemented by Haymon on his fighters competing under the “PBC” banner. I don’t know if Montoya would’ve covered the event, I don’t really care, but that is just one example of the regular scribes missing in action that could’ve done the announcement justice.
Instead, what we got, for the most part, was the same “old” coverage that we expect from the traditional “inches conscious” writers. There was some great coverage from the pros that always bring their A-game, but a lot of the coverage was the same down the line.
So what do we have from a boxing fan’s standpoint? We have a couple of legends in broadcasting in Marv Albert and Al Michaels, who once covered the sport thoroughly but haven’t been really associated with the sport in years and I doubt they ever watched Broner’s destruction of Eloy Perez or Robert Guerrero fight on Unimas. Does that mean they can’t do a great job: of course not. Does it matter from a “boxing coverage” standpoint, of course it does.
And what about Ray Leonard, I’m glad he’s got a gig, but he hasn’t been an active voice in boxing in years. Things have changed since Leonard was a champion in boxing and a champion for boxing. Will he toe the party line and give his take with a Haymon bias in mind, or will he speak the truth in the moments that call for it?
I say all of this to say it doesn’t matter. Hardcore fans will show up for the fights, and casual fans won’t know any better to question those moments when the broadcast team gets it wrong.
So what could’ve been overlooked by Haymon that could make this a less than successful venture?
All of my points tie into one major point. The biggest issue is the “PBC” brand does not have a face behind it. It is a longstanding tradition for a promotion to have a mainstay fighter or cash cow, just as it is practical business sense for a company to get a top athlete to endorse their product.
“PBC” needs a fighter to hoist its flag the way Pacquiao does Top Rank’s or the way Canelo Alvarez does Golden Boy Promotions.
Even if they don’t have that fighter right now, they can build one, and they certainly have the talent to do so. But it doesn’t take away from not having a face for the company. For years, Al Haymon has avoided any and all media. As far as the commercial market goes Haymon is not a recluse because that would insinuate he was once in the spotlight. Instead, Haymon is a ghost.
But whether Haymon likes it or not, whether he accepts it or not, he has become the face of the “PBC” series. I’ve seen every press release that has come through for “PBC” and Haymon’s name has never been on one of them. And, from what I’m told, Haymon’s name was never even mentioned at the presser.
Haymon doesn’t want to be a figurehead in boxing, but it’s far too late for that. His allusiveness has worked against him, and all the secrecy has made him more appealing to those that have only ever gathered whispers about the powerful advisor.
Haymon needs to be a part of the promotion, if not he needs to find a suitable replacement. The situation is comparable to Oscar De La Hoya’s own promotional enterprise. When De La Hoya started Golden Boy Promotions, he was the figurehead, and he put his popularity at the forefront.
De La Hoya promoted the first several GBP cards by showing up to the town in which they were promoting an event and signed autographs, took pictures, and gave interviews to the media. He used his brand to help jumpstart GBP.
Then, De La Hoya used his in-ring popularity to parlay an output deal with HBO, who would buy GBP shows to keep De La Hoya fighting on their network. It is a proven method in boxing.
For “PBC” to become a powerhouse they need to adapt to the current state of boxing, but they can’t forget the tested methods that have worked for decades in the sport
I know the counterargument to my point, and that is Haymon can be successful without being a symbolic figure or the face of the company, so long as he provides exciting, competitive matchups like the ones today.
However, who says that is true? I admit that the lack of competitive matchups in boxing helped to destroy the commercial appeal, but who’s to say that the damage isn’t irreparable and that boxing has been out of the limelight for so long that it won’t be saved by some great matchups on paper.
That’s the other thing that people seemed confused on because everyone mentions the potential success for “PBC” based on a series of interesting matchups, but we can’t say that these matchups will provide the necessary fireworks the casual fan needs to become enthralled in boxing’s permanent landscape.
Sure, Danny Garcia versus Adrien Broner would be huge, but not to the people that have never heard of them, and before those casual fans by into a Garcia-Broner matchup both men have to make entertaining fights in their respective “PBC” on NBC debuts.
I feel like too much emphasis is being placed on the general interests of two men fighting and not enough on the pop culture influence fighters have had over the years.
I’m not saying that “PBC” will fail, I’m just saying if it does it will be partly because OZ decided against coming out from behind the curtain
Keith Thurman, Robert Guerrero deliver in boxing’s return to NBC
March 7, 2015
Photo by Harry How / Getty Images
Photo by Harry How / Getty Images
LAS VEGAS – Keith Thurman and Robert Guerrero were determined to put on a show for their welterweight showdown that headlined boxing’s return to network television after three decades. And after a lackluster co-main event where Adrian Broner and John Molina failed to live up to expectations, Thurman and Guerrero made up for it with a barnburner that was the perfect way to debut the inaugural PBC on NBC show in front of a raucous 10,106 fans at the MGM Grand Garden.
But it would be Thurman’s exceptional boxing ability and scintillating power – which scored a 9th round knockdown – that made all the difference as “One Time” retained his WBA welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Guerrero in a fight where the scorecards didn’t exactly reflect the excitement in the ring.
Despite losing with scores of 120-107, 118-109 and 118-108, “The Ghost” had nothing to be ashamed of. Well, except that he should have closed the distance a lot sooner and forced a dogfight.
Thurman, who predicted he’d score a early knockout, came to make due on his promise early as he rushed at Guerrero armed with punches filled with bad intentions. However, Guerrero (32-3-1) was prepared for whatever Thurman attempted to launch at him and found success with some slick counterpunching that eventually earned Thurman’s respect as the rounds went on.
An incidental head butt caused a nasty hematoma to form over Thurman’s left eye and perhaps that helped change the strategy of “One Time” who settled into a game plan that saw him utilize lateral movement and sharpshooting from the outside. The shift in his approach worked as Thurman took over the middle rounds and left Guerrero struggling to find range while his opponent scored with straight right hand.
Although he was comfortably ahead, Thurman (25-0, 21 knockouts) still sought the knockout that had eluded him for eight rounds. In the ninth, the 26-year-old ripped Guerrero with an uppercut that sank “The Ghost” to the canvas. For a minute, it looked like as if Guerrero would be knockout victim #22 but he rose to his feet and survived a hellacious onslaught of punches. With his back against the wall, Guerrero came out in the 10th round and immediately sucked Thurman into a phone booth brawl that brought the fans to their feet. The two engaged in dogfight where the heart of Guerrero took over his mind as the two danced to a vicious ballad of power shots and infighting.
Clearly out of his comfort zone, Thurman managed to regain the edge in the 11th round by circling away and shooting Guerrero’s advances down with the right hand whenever “The Ghost” was in striking distance. It may not have been the bloodbath that fans wanted to see continue, but it certainly worked in Thurman’s favor until the close of the fight.
Thurman – who, according to Compubox, landed 172 power shots to Guerrero’s 74 – saw his hand raised in victory but had to credit Guerrero’s durability and the fact that “One Time” needed a lot more than one punch to get rid of the former four-division champion.
“He was a little more calm and I thought he was going to press the action harder in the beginning rounds,” Thurman said afterward. “I was able to knock him down late though and I knew I was hurting him each and every round. But he was a veteran who tried to pace himself.
“This was a tremendous fight and a learning experience for Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman.”
With a thrilling victory in the books, Thurman will likely look toward as showdown with Marcos Maidana, which is sure to have boxing fans clamoring due to what would immediately be recognized as a potential fight of the year candidate. Meanwhile, Guerrero had no problem tipping his cap to Thurman.
“I know why they call him ‘One Time,’” Guerrero said. “When I went down he got me good but I got up and did what I had to do.”
And although outgunned, Guerrero was well aware of the show he put on for the fans.
“That’s the kind of performance that wins the hearts of fans even when you don’t win.”
Not only did Guerrero and Thurman win over some new fans, but the entire sport of boxing thanks to their performance on prime time television. And that’s exactly the shot in the arm the sport needed.
March 7, 2015
Photo by Harry How / Getty Images
Photo by Harry How / Getty Images
LAS VEGAS – Keith Thurman and Robert Guerrero were determined to put on a show for their welterweight showdown that headlined boxing’s return to network television after three decades. And after a lackluster co-main event where Adrian Broner and John Molina failed to live up to expectations, Thurman and Guerrero made up for it with a barnburner that was the perfect way to debut the inaugural PBC on NBC show in front of a raucous 10,106 fans at the MGM Grand Garden.
But it would be Thurman’s exceptional boxing ability and scintillating power – which scored a 9th round knockdown – that made all the difference as “One Time” retained his WBA welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Guerrero in a fight where the scorecards didn’t exactly reflect the excitement in the ring.
Despite losing with scores of 120-107, 118-109 and 118-108, “The Ghost” had nothing to be ashamed of. Well, except that he should have closed the distance a lot sooner and forced a dogfight.
Thurman, who predicted he’d score a early knockout, came to make due on his promise early as he rushed at Guerrero armed with punches filled with bad intentions. However, Guerrero (32-3-1) was prepared for whatever Thurman attempted to launch at him and found success with some slick counterpunching that eventually earned Thurman’s respect as the rounds went on.
An incidental head butt caused a nasty hematoma to form over Thurman’s left eye and perhaps that helped change the strategy of “One Time” who settled into a game plan that saw him utilize lateral movement and sharpshooting from the outside. The shift in his approach worked as Thurman took over the middle rounds and left Guerrero struggling to find range while his opponent scored with straight right hand.
Although he was comfortably ahead, Thurman (25-0, 21 knockouts) still sought the knockout that had eluded him for eight rounds. In the ninth, the 26-year-old ripped Guerrero with an uppercut that sank “The Ghost” to the canvas. For a minute, it looked like as if Guerrero would be knockout victim #22 but he rose to his feet and survived a hellacious onslaught of punches. With his back against the wall, Guerrero came out in the 10th round and immediately sucked Thurman into a phone booth brawl that brought the fans to their feet. The two engaged in dogfight where the heart of Guerrero took over his mind as the two danced to a vicious ballad of power shots and infighting.
Clearly out of his comfort zone, Thurman managed to regain the edge in the 11th round by circling away and shooting Guerrero’s advances down with the right hand whenever “The Ghost” was in striking distance. It may not have been the bloodbath that fans wanted to see continue, but it certainly worked in Thurman’s favor until the close of the fight.
Thurman – who, according to Compubox, landed 172 power shots to Guerrero’s 74 – saw his hand raised in victory but had to credit Guerrero’s durability and the fact that “One Time” needed a lot more than one punch to get rid of the former four-division champion.
“He was a little more calm and I thought he was going to press the action harder in the beginning rounds,” Thurman said afterward. “I was able to knock him down late though and I knew I was hurting him each and every round. But he was a veteran who tried to pace himself.
“This was a tremendous fight and a learning experience for Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman.”
With a thrilling victory in the books, Thurman will likely look toward as showdown with Marcos Maidana, which is sure to have boxing fans clamoring due to what would immediately be recognized as a potential fight of the year candidate. Meanwhile, Guerrero had no problem tipping his cap to Thurman.
“I know why they call him ‘One Time,’” Guerrero said. “When I went down he got me good but I got up and did what I had to do.”
And although outgunned, Guerrero was well aware of the show he put on for the fans.
“That’s the kind of performance that wins the hearts of fans even when you don’t win.”
Not only did Guerrero and Thurman win over some new fans, but the entire sport of boxing thanks to their performance on prime time television. And that’s exactly the shot in the arm the sport needed.