2 PPV's on SKY in May....surely not?!?

[chad]

So as we've been hearing it looks like SKY are the favourites to land Mayweather Vs. Pacquiao on the 2nd May with a potential PPV fee of £25.00 and above being muted.

Today Eddie has announced his 30th May "Super Show" at the O2 featuring Kevin Mitchell vs. Jorge Linares, Evgeny Gradovich vs. Lee Selby and Anthony Joshua Vs. Kevin Johnson. Eddie has been sending a lot of Tweets today about the show including:

"We are bringing something very special to @theo2 arena on May 30th!!!!"

"This is only the beginning! May 30 is going to be a huge night for British Boxing! @TheO2"

The way Eddie is going on, it sounds like his Super Show is going to be a PPV extravaganza. If that is the case, surely something has to give. SKY can't do 2 PPV shows within 28 days, with one being potentially set at their highest PPV price ever.

Either they haven't landed Mayweather Vs. Pacman and the Super Show is their backup event or Eddies card will be shown on regular SKY Sports

[jameswilson]

Unless there's another World title fight on that O2 show I don't think it's going to be PPV. While it may have been expensive in relative terms to get Gradovich and Linares over we're not talking the millions of pounds purses that usually go with a PPV. Had it been DeGale v Dirrell and Selby v Gradovich on that original O2 card then PPV wouldn't have surprised me because obviously Matchroom bid over a million quid for the fight, and Eddie is all about balancing the books. I can't imagine Mitchell v Linares earning a combined amount of anywhere near 2million dollars. In fact if the combined purse of both guys is over a million dollars I'd be aghast.

[chad]

Unless there's another World title fight on that O2 show I don't think it's going to be PPV. While it may have been expensive in relative terms to get Gradovich and Linares over we're not talking the millions of pounds purses that usually go with a PPV. Had it been DeGale v Dirrell and Selby v Gradovich on that original O2 card then PPV wouldn't have surprised me because obviously Matchroom bid over a million quid for the fight, and Eddie is all about balancing the books. I can't imagine Mitchell v Linares earning a combined amount of anywhere near 2million dollars. In fact if the combined purse of both guys is over a million dollars I'd be aghast.

The way Eddie is going on, he's not finished yet:

“This is a huge night for British boxing and today’s announcement is just the beginning,” said Hearn. “I’m delighted to deliver shots for Kevin and Lee in the UK and they have every chance of becoming World champions on May 30. Linares is an incredible fighter, a three-weight World ruler, but Kevin has been exceptional with us and I truly believe he is going to do it. Lee has been virtually punch-perfect over the last few years but now it’s his moment against one of the best fighters in the division in Gradovich. Kevin is a big step for Anthony Joshua and signifies his first real challenge in the pro ranks, he brings personality and attitude as well as plenty of ring craft – I’m buzzing for this show already and fans can expect plenty of other major announcements for the card.”

The only time I hear Eddie speaking like this is when he's about to drop the PPV bombshell. Would love to see this on SKY Sports, and if that is the case then massive credit to both Eddie and SKY for giving loyal subscribers a top night of action at no additional cost.

[PokerRob]

If this card went to PPV, it would be even worse than Cleverly vs Bellew!

Also, I dont think it matters if there are 5 world title fights on this card, it still cant go PPV without a decent main event that will catch (or attempt to catch) the publics imagination!

As far as World title fights go, these two are pretty weak! And Kingpin is not PPV material!

[expe]

If this card went to PPV, it would be even worse than Cleverly vs Bellew!

Also I dont think it matters if there are 5 world title fights on this card it still cant go PPV without a decent main event that will catch (or attempt to catch) the publics imagination!

This shits all over Cleverly-Bellew, two evenly matched world title fights, or one evenly matched European level fight, with a load of mismatches on the undercard.

[Controversial]

and Sky have the cheek to put up their prices this June !!!

[PokerRob]

If this card went to PPV, it would be even worse than Cleverly vs Bellew!

Also I dont think it matters if there are 5 world title fights on this card it still cant go PPV without a decent main event that will catch (or attempt to catch) the publics imagination!

This shits all over Cleverly-Bellew, two evenly matched world title fights, or one evenly matched European level fight, with a load of mismatches on the undercard.

I agree it is better to the die hard fan, but nonetheless they are still pretty weak for World title fights.

I guess what I meant to say is that it would be worse from a business perspective... Clev vs Bell caught (or attempted to catch) the publics imagination because they were both British, both more well known that Mitchell and Selby, and it was grudge match!

[broomy7s]

I agree the way he's going on it sounds like a ppv card. What other big fights could be on the bill? Supposedly a Liverpool show early june so can't see any of the Smith's or Bellew on the card. Ryder in some sort of eliminator and Groves will probably be on it.

[expe]

I agree the way he's going on it sounds like a ppv card. What other big fights could be on the bill? Supposedly a Liverpool show early june so can't see any of the Smith's or Bellew on the card. Ryder in some sort of eliminator and Groves will probably be on it.

Probably be Ryder-Blackwell, it's been put out to purse bids, can't see them getting an eliminator with the WBA, he's not ranked by the IBF, BJS is WBO mandatory and Golovkin is Cotto's mandatory.

[Glass Joe]

this will be a ppv card, not enough money to cover purses to put it on regular sky

[expe]

this will be a ppv card, not enough money to cover purses to put it on regular sky

There will be enough money to cover the purses, but they have the opportunity to justify a PPV and cash in on it.

[Lion-Heart]

Old Eddie giving it the card still isn't finished I seem to remember that line being used for the Liverpool PPV. Just an idea but wouldn't a £40 PPV for the two shows or buy one get one half price or something along them lines be a better idea? People who are just interested in the Mayweather v Pac fight would go for the deal and watch the O2 card just because they've got it in the deal boosting the Matchroom fighters profile outside of main core fans

[jameswilson]

this will be a ppv card, not enough money to cover purses to put it on regular sky

There will be enough money to cover the purses, but they have the opportunity to justify a PPV and cash in on it.

I don't know who to believe.

Can I see both of your balance sheets please?

[thatllbeme]

I think part of Matchrooms deal with Sky is that there are so many PPV each year and he is being pushed by Sky to put a PPV event on maybe 3 times this year

[broomy7s]

I agree the way he's going on it sounds like a ppv card. What other big fights could be on the bill? Supposedly a Liverpool show early june so can't see any of the Smith's or Bellew on the card. Ryder in some sort of eliminator and Groves will probably be on it.

Probably be Ryder-Blackwell, it's been put out to purse bids, can't see them getting an eliminator with the WBA, he's not ranked by the IBF, BJS is WBO mandatory and Golovkin is Cotto's mandatory.

Good fight that. Needs a lot more to be ppv tho.

[chiggsy]

When eddie says ''huge night for british boxing'' prepare to be stung.

[PokerRob]

If I asked all my mates, have you ever heard of "Jorge Linares, Kevin Mitchell, Evgeny Gradovich, Lee Selby or Anthony Joshua" they would say "yes, Antony Joshua, who is he fighting", to which I would reply "Kevin Johnson, that guy Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora destroyed", to which they would reply, "screw that lets go out", even if it was on Channel 5 for free!

This card is not PPV... If it does go PPV (failing George Groves is in a decent fight or David Haye) it will do less than 50,000 buys and be the worst selling PPV of all time!

Adding to the fact that it will be coming of the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight!

[Sklar]

Kevin is a big step for Anthony ... he brings personality and attitude as well as plenty of ring craft...

Translation: he talks a good fight but once the first bell sounds, he does sweet fornicate all bar cover-up.

[keirw]

Tyler Goodjohn vs Tommy Martin and John Wayne Hibbert vs Darren Hamilton.
BOOM! There's your PPV undercard right there, get your wallets out!

[moogie101]

I'm not sure why people keep saying this isn't a PPV quality card, after Clev vs. Bellew 2 Hearn has proven that he can throw out any card with an extra price tag , chuck a bit of hype behind it & idiots will give him their money. This is by far a stronger card than what people paid for in Liverpool.

The issue should surely be about the idea of two boxing PPV's in one month. Boxing fans as it is pay enough to Sky with little in return & its becoming more obvious that anytime an interesting fight comes along there will be an additional cost.

I'm hoping this is just a back-up plan in case they don't land Floyd/ Pac & then its just a free show on Sky Sports. Can't imagine that anyone would want PPV buyrates affected by Sky trying to hype up two different PPV dates in the same month.

[mfc_se15]

I think the additions to the card are going to be along the standard London show additions in decent match ups, Goodjohn and Ryder etc.

Will probably go to this interested in all 3 of the fights announced (don't expect loads from Joshua but not seen him live in the pro's yet).

[chiggsy]

If for £25 i get both cards i would probably reluctantly cough up.

If they wan't 25 for may pac plus 16 for the o2 bill they can suck my porridge pump.

[Andrew]

Tyler Goodjohn vs Tommy Martin and John Wayne Hibbert vs Darren Hamilton.
BOOM! There's your PPV undercard right there, get your wallets out!

They are good domestic fights actually.

Obviously not saying they make this PPV.

[thatllbeme]

David Haye is making his comeback May 30th

[keirw]

Tyler Goodjohn vs Tommy Martin and John Wayne Hibbert vs Darren Hamilton.
BOOM! There's your PPV undercard right there, get your wallets out!

They are good domestic fights actually.

Obviously not saying they make this PPV.

They are good little fights, the kind that should make up all Saturday fight night undercards.
But the cynic in me does worry that this potentially great Saturday fight night card will be turned into a joke of a PPV out of pure greed.
And worse, the good domestic scraps get taken off the card in favour of Groves or Haye (if he shows up) vs some nobody, in an attempt to drive up PPV buys.