HBO’s 2018 roster of fighters!

[Enlightened-One]

I was taking a quick look at the PPV calibre fighters affiliated to HBO, either due to their own contract or their promoters’ contract with that TV network, and here’s a list of the biggest names I could formulate from the following promoters: Golden Boy Promotions; K2 Promotions; Roc Nation Sports; and Main Events:

• Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
• Gennady Golovkin
• Sergey Kovalev

Here’s a list of fighters possibly good enough to headline their own fight cards for non-PPV events:

• Roman Gonzalez (devalued due to recent losses)
• David Lemieux (devalued due to recent losses)
• Daniel Jacobs (despite suffering a recent defeat, his popularity may be growing)
• Sor Rungvisai (possibly a co-headliner rather than main attraction)
• Lucas Matthysse (possibly a co-headliner rather than main attraction)

What does the future hold for HBO, considering the likes of Kovalev, Golovkin, Rungvisai, Matthysse, Lemieux and Gonzalez are all in the final stages of their career (due to the fact that most of these men are unlikely to be competing at the highest-level next year)?

I realise that Matchroom Sports has recently established a working relationship with HBO, but how does Eddie Hearn ensure his US business venture is a success if Anthony Joshua continues fighting on Showtime, because I’m not sure if any of his current roster of fighters are considered big names on American shores?

[gilgamesh]

I think HBO will still be ok. I just hope they have more fights on the schedule this year than they had last year, but at least they still have big names.

The Superfly 2 card should be fun

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think HBO will still be ok. I just hope they have more fights on the schedule this year than they had last year, but at least they still have big names.

The Superfly 2 card should be fun

Arum has took some big names over to ESPN.. That's the only downside.

[gilgamesh]

I think HBO will still be ok. I just hope they have more fights on the schedule this year than they had last year, but at least they still have big names.

The Superfly 2 card should be fun

Arum has took some big names over to ESPN.. That's the only downside.

I don't really see how it's a downside. What channel the big fights are on doesn't really matter. If big fights are on ESPN instead of HBO. It works for me.

[Enlightened-One]

I think HBO will still be ok. I just hope they have more fights on the schedule this year than they had last year, but at least they still have big names.

The Superfly 2 card should be fun

Arum has took some big names over to ESPN.. That's the only downside.

I don't really see how it's a downside. What channel the big fights are on doesn't really matter. If big fights are on ESPN instead of HBO. It works for me.

I think the main issue is the amount of TV revenue invested in boxing is gradually dwindling within the US, so with HBO’s budget in the sport having been reduced significantly, it could prevent that network from effectively pushing the names of emerging talent.

For the record, here are ESPN’s biggest audience draws, with all fighters affiliated to Top Rank:
• Manny Pacquiao
• Vasyl Lomachenko
• Terence Crawford

Notes: The Filipino legend is unlikely to continue fighting at the highest-level during 2019, with the rest of Bob Arum’s roster of fighters considered anonymous names amongst the mainstream casuals. Top Rank does also work with PBC-affiliated fighters, but Arum prefers to promote fights using his own stable, due to Haymon’s roster often considered too expensive to do business with.

Whilst GBP does have an established partnership with ESPN, their biggest names are reserved exclusively for HBO.

[jewboypgh]

HBO has the best commentators in the game.

[gilgamesh]

Arum has took some big names over to ESPN.. That's the only downside.

I don't really see how it's a downside. What channel the big fights are on doesn't really matter. If big fights are on ESPN instead of HBO. It works for me.

I think the main issue is the amount of TV revenue invested in boxing is gradually dwindling within the US, so with HBO’s budget in the sport having been reduced significantly, it could prevent that network from effectively pushing the names of emerging talent.

For the record, here are ESPN’s biggest audience draws, with all fighters affiliated to Top Rank:
• Manny Pacquiao
• Vasyl Lomachenko
• Terence Crawford

Notes: The Filipino legend is unlikely to continue fighting at the highest-level during 2019, with the rest of Bob Arum’s roster of fighters considered anonymous names amongst the mainstream casuals. Top Rank does also work with PBC-affiliated fighters, but Arum prefers to promote fights using his own stable, due to Haymon’s roster often considered too expensive to do business with.

Whilst GBP does have an established partnership with ESPN, their biggest names are reserved exclusively for HBO.

I wouldn't be surprised if they try to put together Crawford vs Pac this year for Pac to go out on. A proper passing of the torch.

After Crawford beats Jeff Horn of course.

[SenorPipino]

At this point, I don't see Pac wanting any part of Crawford.

His focus now seems to be politics, and he'll squeeze in a fight or two this year if his calendar is open.

Pacquiao will be satisfied with a $25 million payday against an opponent much less taxing than Crawford.

Pac's 39 and knows what his body can and can't do. And it can't do Crawford.

Arum is probably interested in that passing of the torch but Pacquiao is at the stage where he no longer listens to Arum or Roach.

He does what he wants now and he'll leave boxing on his own terms.

He has no interest in going out like Oscar de la Hoya did nearly 10 years ago against a young buzzsaw version of himself.

[gilgamesh]

And I wouldn't blame him a bit if he didn't take a fight with Crawford

[Mexi-Box]

Berchelt is another big fighter that they got and flaunt. They were trying to up Seldin, but he blew it.

[Cutman Scabbers]

HBO has the best commentators in the game.

I like Al Bernstein