RIP showtime boxing. SKY in the future?

[handsofstone]

From a purely selfish point of view, I hope PBC end up on DAZN. Would love their fights as part of my subscription. I'd even pay a little more for it next year.

Absolutely, they best tell Uncle Al to forget about his obsession with PPV, make his fighters fight, guys who wouldn't sell out the York Hall expecting millions, get them in the bin, also DAZN need to make Eddie and Oscar work together, non negotiable, add Praise Be Al into the equation then maybe, just maybe things might look bright

[Spud]

Perhaps I flapping too much about this …

But i honestly feel the attitude of people not being concerned abot DAZN pulling the plug on boxing because they have deep pockets alarming …

You then add the demise of showtime and HBO when they were in such a strong position is a concern because in the United States, Canada, Mexico etc etc when boxing in those countries seemed to be stronger than the Uk …

You then add Saudi Arabia’s cherry picking the very best fights is a concern … just look at the heavyweights the best wont box each other … the so called lineal champion has only
Fought something like twice in 2 years.

The governing bodies rarely enforce the champion
Fighting his mandatory challenger.

The promoters over protect their fighters to look after their investments

The TV execs do not enforce quality control on the boxing promoters thus they can turn out any sort of sh*t.

Boxing is a low conern minority sport and if there
Is a need to tighten the purse strings .. boxing would not stand a chance.

The biggest point of concern is that of arrogance… misfits has just put on a sell out show, record revenues and record ppv numbers … yet all people can say is they are sh*t.

[Spud]

Misfits is not the problem. YouTubers bashing each other in the ring is not the problem.

Boxing is the problem.

Too many titles, no real champions, everyone avoiding each other, too many fights failing to be made, poor fights as ppv main events that a few years back wouldn't have been accepted as a pov co-main. All the things that fans have been calling out for years is the problem.

But all we need is a year of the best fighters facing each regularly in great fights and the sport will be in a great position. Whether promoters and fighters care enough is another matter.

good post

[maverick23]

Perhaps I flapping too much about this …

But i honestly feel the attitude of people not being concerned abot DAZN pulling the plug on boxing because they have deep pockets alarming …

You then add the demise of showtime and HBO when they were in such a strong position is a concern because in the United States, Canada, Mexico etc etc when boxing in those countries seemed to be stronger than the Uk …

You then add Saudi Arabia’s cherry picking the very best fights is a concern … just look at the heavyweights the best wont box each other … the so called lineal champion has only
Fought something like twice in 2 years.

The governing bodies rarely enforce the champion
Fighting his mandatory challenger.

The promoters over protect their fighters to look after their investments

The TV execs do not enforce quality control on the boxing promoters thus they can turn out any sort of sh*t.

Boxing is a low conern minority sport and if there
Is a need to tighten the purse strings .. boxing would not stand a chance.

The biggest point of concern is that of arrogance… misfits has just put on a sell out show, record revenues and record ppv numbers … yet all people can say is they are sh*t.

I agree with almost all of what you say Spud. I can’t see DAZN leaving boxing soon though and, as I put in one of my previous posts on this thread, I understand why networks would step away from boxing given how much it costs and what it delivers audience wise.

I don’t think Misfits is a concern though. It just shows to me that if you put on fights that a large amount of people want to see then it’ll deliver big numbers. Unlike many of the traditional boxing PPVs in recent years that have sold really poorly.

[Ricky]

Perhaps I flapping too much about this …

But i honestly feel the attitude of people not being concerned abot DAZN pulling the plug on boxing because they have deep pockets alarming …

You then add the demise of showtime and HBO when they were in such a strong position is a concern because in the United States, Canada, Mexico etc etc when boxing in those countries seemed to be stronger than the Uk …

You make a good point.

HBO coverage of boxing in the US was imo the golden era for the sport - the talent pool had a lot to do with it obviously and they had the privilege of covering the greatest quartet in the sport imo- Pacquiao Marquez Barerra & Morales, which was also around the same time as Floyd, Cotto, Mosely.

The production value was brilliant, in particular the 24/7 series they developed. Most if these fights were stupid o'clock for us UK fans but watching the 24/7s while we waited for the fights was brilliant entertainment that just enhanced the excitement in the build up.

So where did it all go wrong?

Al Haymon.

When fighters begin signing with other promoters and other networks, the big fights just weren't there any more, the end result has been a failure of HBO, Showtime & PBC. Haymon not only destroyed the prospect of many big fights, he left a trail of financial destruction in his wake, fleecing investors to attract fighters on big contracts.

Eddie Hearn has been as damaging for British boxing as Haymon in the US. He's left a major broadcaster Sky on the brink of binning boxing coverage all together (they may aswell given how pitiful Boxxer is), and on DAZN he seems to be sticking all his focus on YouTube trash (probably because AJ is a busted flush).

The current boxing scene is a catastrophic failure, I went from being a junkie that would stay up until 5am to watch Carson Jones fight Antonio Margarito in some unlicensed Mexican gym hall, to literally watching nothing other than the occasional Fwank Warren card on BT.

[TheLeprechaun]

Perhaps I flapping too much about this …

But i honestly feel the attitude of people not being concerned abot DAZN pulling the plug on boxing because they have deep pockets alarming …

You then add the demise of showtime and HBO when they were in such a strong position is a concern because in the United States, Canada, Mexico etc etc when boxing in those countries seemed to be stronger than the Uk …

You make a good point.

HBO coverage of boxing in the US was imo the golden era for the sport - the talent pool had a lot to do with it obviously and they had the privilege of covering the greatest quartet in the sport imo- Pacquiao Marquez Barerra & Morales, which was also around the same time as Floyd, Cotto, Mosely.

The production value was brilliant, in particular the 24/7 series they developed. Most if these fights were stupid o'clock for us UK fans but watching the 24/7s while we waited for the fights was brilliant entertainment that just enhanced the excitement in the build up.

So where did it all go wrong?

Al Haymon.

When fighters begin signing with other promoters and other networks, the big fights just weren't there any more, the end result has been a failure of HBO, Showtime & PBC. Haymon not only destroyed the prospect of many big fights, he left a trail of financial destruction in his wake, fleecing investors to attract fighters on big contracts.

Eddie Hearn has been as damaging for British boxing as Haymon in the US. He's left a major broadcaster Sky on the brink of binning boxing coverage all together (they may aswell given how pitiful Boxxer is), and on DAZN he seems to be sticking all his focus on YouTube trash (probably because AJ is a busted flush).

The current boxing scene is a catastrophic failure, I went from being a junkie that would stay up until 5am to watch Carson Jones fight Antonio Margarito in some unlicensed Mexican gym hall, to literally watching nothing other than the occasional Fwank Warren card on BT.

HBO made two critical errors that I can see. The first was when Mike Tyson said he wanted nothing to do with them unless they removed Larry Merchant as broadcaster. They stuck by Merchant and Tyson went off to showtime and made the big fights there. Very poor business move. This would repeat itself with Mayweather years later. This brings me onto their second failure - Al Haymon. Floyd was in business with Haymon and HBO quite frankly didn't like Haymon and were not happy with his overall influence on the sport. Of course Haymon and Floyd upped and went to Showtime. I see these as business errors. Haymon had a good stable and a good standing. I'd speculate that he was becoming too big for his boots and wanted more input or whatever, but if you are thinking about the business side of boxing, you don't take a hard line stance there because you're just giving other networks and advantage and weakening yourself. Being such a powerhouse, I imagine the execs thought that their product was always going to be top dog.

To add to this, even if HBO had not done those things, the rise of netflix and streaming services would have forced HBO to invest more time into that side of things. In the 80s and 90s boxing was HBOs bread and butter when it comes to original content. What happened then was more documentary and tv show series started exploding. Their first thing that blew up was Oz, great show. Then The Sopranos went to a whole new level. HBO started losing that original content battle for the first time with Netflix streaming service producing original content and going global. HBO had to start putting major focus into original content and going into streaming then.

[Spud]

Perhaps I flapping too much about this …

But i honestly feel the attitude of people not being concerned abot DAZN pulling the plug on boxing because they have deep pockets alarming …

You then add the demise of showtime and HBO when they were in such a strong position is a concern because in the United States, Canada, Mexico etc etc when boxing in those countries seemed to be stronger than the Uk …

You make a good point.

HBO coverage of boxing in the US was imo the golden era for the sport - the talent pool had a lot to do with it obviously and they had the privilege of covering the greatest quartet in the sport imo- Pacquiao Marquez Barerra & Morales, which was also around the same time as Floyd, Cotto, Mosely.

The production value was brilliant, in particular the 24/7 series they developed. Most if these fights were stupid o'clock for us UK fans but watching the 24/7s while we waited for the fights was brilliant entertainment that just enhanced the excitement in the build up.

So where did it all go wrong?

Al Haymon.

When fighters begin signing with other promoters and other networks, the big fights just weren't there any more, the end result has been a failure of HBO, Showtime & PBC. Haymon not only destroyed the prospect of many big fights, he left a trail of financial destruction in his wake, fleecing investors to attract fighters on big contracts.

Eddie Hearn has been as damaging for British boxing as Haymon in the US. He's left a major broadcaster Sky on the brink of binning boxing coverage all together (they may aswell given how pitiful Boxxer is), and on DAZN he seems to be sticking all his focus on YouTube trash (probably because AJ is a busted flush).

The current boxing scene is a catastrophic failure, I went from being a junkie that would stay up until 5am to watch Carson Jones fight Antonio Margarito in some unlicensed Mexican gym hall, to literally watching nothing other than the occasional Fwank Warren card on BT.

Great post

I know your not concerned about misfits …

I will admit to a concern About them …

I think KSIs commitment to an financing misfits may wane a little now he has lost to Paul.

[Ricky]

Perhaps I flapping too much about this …

But i honestly feel the attitude of people not being concerned abot DAZN pulling the plug on boxing because they have deep pockets alarming …

You then add the demise of showtime and HBO when they were in such a strong position is a concern because in the United States, Canada, Mexico etc etc when boxing in those countries seemed to be stronger than the Uk …

You make a good point.

HBO coverage of boxing in the US was imo the golden era for the sport - the talent pool had a lot to do with it obviously and they had the privilege of covering the greatest quartet in the sport imo- Pacquiao Marquez Barerra & Morales, which was also around the same time as Floyd, Cotto, Mosely.

The production value was brilliant, in particular the 24/7 series they developed. Most if these fights were stupid o'clock for us UK fans but watching the 24/7s while we waited for the fights was brilliant entertainment that just enhanced the excitement in the build up.

So where did it all go wrong?

Al Haymon.

When fighters begin signing with other promoters and other networks, the big fights just weren't there any more, the end result has been a failure of HBO, Showtime & PBC. Haymon not only destroyed the prospect of many big fights, he left a trail of financial destruction in his wake, fleecing investors to attract fighters on big contracts.

Eddie Hearn has been as damaging for British boxing as Haymon in the US. He's left a major broadcaster Sky on the brink of binning boxing coverage all together (they may aswell given how pitiful Boxxer is), and on DAZN he seems to be sticking all his focus on YouTube trash (probably because AJ is a busted flush).

The current boxing scene is a catastrophic failure, I went from being a junkie that would stay up until 5am to watch Carson Jones fight Antonio Margarito in some unlicensed Mexican gym hall, to literally watching nothing other than the occasional Fwank Warren card on BT.

Great post

I know your not concerned about misfits …

I will admit to a concern About them …

I think KSIs commitment to an financing misfits may wane a little now he has lost to Paul.

I think the novelty of the youtube stuff will ware off. I was actually thinking that celebs that have a falling out on twitter would be better off having it out in MMA. There was also talk of Musk vs Zuckerberg in the cage, and Dana White wanted to make it happen.

After the hugfest in the last youtuber fights, maybe they will start to think a fight in a cage would work better for the audience.of this sort of thing.

[Spud]

I don’t think the concept of youtube
/celebrity boxing will lose interest just the people financing it will … look at white collar boxing its very
Popular.

[Spud]

HBO made two critical errors that I can see. The first was when Mike Tyson said he wanted nothing to do with them unless they removed Larry Merchant as broadcaster. They stuck by Merchant and Tyson went off to showtime and made the big fights there. Very poor business move. This would repeat itself with Mayweather years later. This brings me onto their second failure - Al Haymon. Floyd was in business with Haymon and HBO quite frankly didn't like Haymon and were not happy with his overall influence on the sport. Of course Haymon and Floyd upped and went to Showtime. I see these as business errors. Haymon had a good stable and a good standing. I'd speculate that he was becoming too big for his boots and wanted more input or whatever, but if you are thinking about the business side of boxing, you don't take a hard line stance there because you're just giving other networks and advantage and weakening yourself. Being such a powerhouse, I imagine the execs thought that their product was always going to be top dog.

To add to this, even if HBO had not done those things, the rise of netflix and streaming services would have forced HBO to invest more time into that side of things. In the 80s and 90s boxing was HBOs bread and butter when it comes to original content. What happened then was more documentary and tv show series started exploding. Their first thing that blew up was Oz, great show. Then The Sopranos went to a whole new level. HBO started losing that original content battle for the first time with Netflix streaming service producing original content and going global. HBO had to start putting major focus into original content and going into streaming then.

Damn good post

[TheLeprechaun]

HBO made two critical errors that I can see. The first was when Mike Tyson said he wanted nothing to do with them unless they removed Larry Merchant as broadcaster. They stuck by Merchant and Tyson went off to showtime and made the big fights there. Very poor business move. This would repeat itself with Mayweather years later. This brings me onto their second failure - Al Haymon. Floyd was in business with Haymon and HBO quite frankly didn't like Haymon and were not happy with his overall influence on the sport. Of course Haymon and Floyd upped and went to Showtime. I see these as business errors. Haymon had a good stable and a good standing. I'd speculate that he was becoming too big for his boots and wanted more input or whatever, but if you are thinking about the business side of boxing, you don't take a hard line stance there because you're just giving other networks and advantage and weakening yourself. Being such a powerhouse, I imagine the execs thought that their product was always going to be top dog.

To add to this, even if HBO had not done those things, the rise of netflix and streaming services would have forced HBO to invest more time into that side of things. In the 80s and 90s boxing was HBOs bread and butter when it comes to original content. What happened then was more documentary and tv show series started exploding. Their first thing that blew up was Oz, great show. Then The Sopranos went to a whole new level. HBO started losing that original content battle for the first time with Netflix streaming service producing original content and going global. HBO had to start putting major focus into original content and going into streaming then.

Damn good post

It's a combination of things but I believe I picked these things up from a Thomas Hauser article or conversation. He has written a lot about the HBO pull out of boxing if anyone is interested in looking up more about it.