FMJ vs Pac is on!

[palooka]

They make the wrangling over money sound so heroic

[Badhusker]

I guess the OP should change the title of the thread to "FMJ vs Pac is almost on!

[KBB]

The moment I started to read this article was the moment I knew it was BS, it states the following:

Manny had agreed to his contract weeks ago

... and it was all up to Floyd to sign on the dotted line.

BS, they make it sound as though Manny already signed his contract, by now all of us already know that there is no contract.

TMZ is about 3 weeks behind, especially since Floyd already called them out on their lies and even Koncz confirmed that there was no contract.

[BoxingClinic2]

Fergusg one word... RELAX. EVERYONE is wrong sometimes, it was my hopes that they werent. An update to the report says what everyone else said. Blah close to signing blah its happening soon. I guess i should of added that last . to sure up against people like you who are going to go on a crusade. APOLOGIES TMZ and myself are WRONG .... you feel better ferg?

[Badhusker]

It's not surprising TMZ would want to jump on it, and be the first to announce The Fight. They hopefully are right that it will happen.

[ikorolev]

Look… odds are high for either side of the proverbial coin.

Somebody naming himself ferg...something was saying that chances of HBO and Showtime agreeing on mutual broadcast or Haymon working with HBO are very slim. Do you know that guy ?

[ReggieDiggs]

It's not surprising TMZ would want to jump on it, and be the first to announce The Fight.

Well sure. TMZ's whole business model is about "allegedly" & "our source says". They take risks with saying sh!t, but they are one of the only companies really trying to break news nowadays so I respect them in that regard.

CNN used to be THE SOURCE for news, but nowadays the only people they are beating to a story is the newspapers.

[ReggieDiggs]

Anyone got any idea what sorta issue is holding things up? From the sounds of what everyone is saying its nothing really between the fighters or they are being super secret about it & downplaying the sh!t about it for once if there is.

[ikorolev]

Here is more informative article:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/boxing/re ... 09576.html

[ReggieDiggs]

Here is more informative article:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/boxing/re ... 09576.html

Here’s my high-level summary of my interpretation of the main issues detailed in this article:

• The two main broadcasting issues relate to the commentators working on the pay-per-view and which network would handle the reality show (24/7 for HBO, All Access for SHO). :??

• Showtime believes it’s in a position to make demands, as they possess the bigger draw fighter, but HBO won’t make any compromises.

• Part of the reason for HBO refusing to make compromises, is the threat posed by Al Haymon’s PBC, which will be televised by NBC and Spike TV, as American fight fans will no longer have to pay for premium cable and also PPV fees in order to watch decent contests between big name fighters.

• HBO played a big part in the proverbial “Cold War” as they stopped working with Golden Boy & Al Haymon, which prevented a lot of big fights from being made. So they have a proven track record of “cutting their nose off to spite their face”, as their decision had a detrimental impact on the sport itself and the size of their revenue stream. They may make a similarly bizarre commercial decision by refusing to concede to Showtime’s demands.

According to Dan Rafael's (ESPN) tweet yesterday, his source claims that “Nothing is happening before mid next week at the soonest. Not that close on (TV) deal terms”, which seemingly supports the idea that the main obstacle is the contract negotiations between HBO & Showtime!

Vivek Wallace's "Left Hook Lounge" facebook page (an hour ago):

(BoxingTalk/Mayweather v Pacquiao Tracker): Despite the fighters being all but done , (as it relates to their negotiations), it seems there is a new "problem child" to deal with. HBO has surfaced as a major challenge, with one insider citing "incredibly unrealistic demands", given the fact that their fighter is not the A side of negotiations.

As I have always said, there is no way the network, (whom has already seen their brand diminished in the sport), would allow themselves to become a wedge between these two fighters knowing how bad the world wants to see this fight. Well...they have.

A few details presented within the last hour makes it seem as if the deal will get done. But if these demands continue there could be a major backlash against them. In recent days, the word "imminent" was used regularly. The irony is that a more relaxed position by HBO could allow this to happen immediately.

However, [HBO's] strong arm tactics make it unrealistic to believe that they will lighten up anytime soon. The good thing is that Bob Arum, and team Pacquiao have conceded to a position that APPEARS more favorable to that of team Mayweather and Showtime.

So what you're saying is its all Floyd's fault? I knew it. F#cking Mayweather!!!

(You know this is what people are gonna say whatever the issue is that potentially prevented the fight)

[SenorPipino]

Last might on FNF, Teddy Atlas said the fight is close to being signed and that Cotto is out of the picture.
He might be more reliable than TMZ.

Of course a few years ago, Atlas said that the fight would never happen because Arum didn't want it.
So I guess we'll have to believe what we eventually see and not what we hear.

[Rodian]

Showtime needs to stop putting up roadblocks.

[Badhusker]

The hold-up is obviously network related. All we can do is wait, but it will get done.

[Tarkus]

Part of the reason for HBO refusing to make compromises, is the threat posed by Al Haymon’s PBC, which will be televised by NBC and Spike TV, as American fight fans will no longer have to pay for premium cable and also PPV fees in order to watch decent contests between big name fighters.

There is absolutely no logic in this statement.

[Tarkus]

No it makes no sense. HBO is already negotiating the deal, that means they agree on working with Haymon in principle. Article suggests that networks that is Showtime and HBO can not agree with each other. That has nothing to do with Haymon "threat" which BTW is same for Showtime.

[Tarkus]

First of all, a conspiracy that you outlined makes no sense on its own right. Second and more importantly, that was not the point raised in the article. I repeat the story is that HBO has a problem agreeing with Showtime on specific details. Then Haymon threat it thrown in without any relevance to the story.

[KBB]

Showtime needs to stop putting up roadblocks.

Please elaborate… or did you really mean to say HBO? :??

He did elaborate, it shows how little he comprehends whatever he reads. He loves to take things and twist them to favor his hateful stance against Floyd.

Like I said, TMZ is FOS and they have no real insider information. This thing is all about HBO, they think they are in the driver's seat based on their overall network ratings when this fight has nothing to do with their overall network ratings, this is all about the fighter's ratings and who should be the rightful heir to the PPV re-telecast of the fight (which is sure to draw in big numbers due to those who will be unwilling to pay for the PPV).

HBO is having heartache with being the 2nd tiered network with their 2nd tiered fighter and it is now come back to haunt them with the way they treated Mayweather.

[MachoTime]

Showtime needs to stop putting up roadblocks.

Please elaborate… or did you really mean to say HBO? :??

He did elaborate, it shows how little he comprehends whatever he reads. He loves to take things and twist them to favor his hateful stance against Floyd.

Like I said, TMZ is FOS and they have no real insider information. This thing is all about HBO, they think they are in the driver's seat based on their overall network ratings when this fight has nothing to do with their overall network ratings, this is all about the fighter's ratings and who should be the rightful heir to the PPV re-telecast of the fight (which is sure to draw in big numbers due to those who will be unwilling to pay for the PPV).

HBO is having heartache with being the 2nd tiered network with their 2nd tiered fighter and it is now come back to haunt them with the way they treated Mayweather.

Brut is right as always... :P

[Exoddus]

Headline reads:

Mayweather Vs. Pacquiao DEAL DONE

Second paragraph reads:

The source says the formal agreement has not been signed but everyone expects the signatures "soon." Negotiators are putting "finishing touches" on the deal.

That's not a "deal done" then is it? The article has no extra information that we didn't already know.

[ikorolev]

Here is interesting analysis of the financial side of the fight:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/02/why ... iao-fight/?

[Tarkus]

Here is interesting analysis of the financial side of the fight:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/02/why ... iao-fight/?

That is much better analysis. At least its based on numbers from the real world not a drivel Kevin Lole dreams up depending on which side of the bed he wakes up in the morning. The fact is that ShowBoxing is all but dead. Only thing they have left is Maywhether PPV and they are paying for it through the nose.

[KBB]

Here is interesting analysis of the financial side of the fight:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/02/why ... iao-fight/?

It does beg the question though or questions: If Show is as to blame as this article depicts then:

Why wouldn't they want to make the fight since they know that the least they can do is "break even"?

Or

Why wouldn't they want to make it, especially knowing that they can flip a profit?

Showtime has to know that HBO isn't going to budge on this because HBO isn't stupid enough to take 5% or especially pay Showtime's side of the costs.

This should be the news, all this time it was being reported that HBO was stalling.

[ReggieDiggs]

Here is interesting analysis of the financial side of the fight:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/02/why ... iao-fight/?

I like the numbers analysis/breakdown & speculation he does even though his name is apparently "Sizzle JKD" which doesn't inspire confidence in a writer, but idk if splitting the PPV is the problem. From most accounts thats bringing up issues it seems to be stemming from replay rights. And replay rights for fights is helpful in picking up new subscribers which as noted in the article HBO has more of between them & Showtime & Showtime would likely want more of. Thus thats an important thing & potential deal breaker for them I'd speculate on myself. I'd assume a large & underlooked point by fans in acquiring Floyd was just having the best boxer on the planet with Showtime & the upside that brings to the channel as a whole.

And the desperation angle can go both ways. They could be needing to get x so that y makes sense, but they could also be needing anything cuz they are kinda f#cked right now. So from a business standpoint it definitely makes sense for HBO to lean on them to see what they can get, then from Showtime to poorly attempt to lean on HBO. Its kinda a no lose situation for HBO. Either 1)they get a better deal by holding out, 2)they lose out on the fight now, but the upside is there is still potential to make the fight in Sept. & having Showtime be even more desperate with Floyd's last fight thus getting what they want now or more or maybe 3)while risky but financially better, wait til 2016 & screw getting 50% of the pie take 100% cuz I'll wager a fighter isn't gonna retire when he says he is just cuz it happens so rarely & I bet HBO doesn't have much issue making that wager either.

[Impractical Poster]

Here is interesting analysis of the financial side of the fight:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/02/why ... iao-fight/?

Great article. Thanks for posting.

[Tarkus]

his name is apparently "Sizzle JKD" which doesn't inspire confidence

Nor does ReggieDiggs.