HBO SCARED THIS TIME AROUND!! WHY??
Posted: 18 Jan 2015, 12:49
by Ronnie Nathanielsz
UNDEFEATED pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants the May 2 fight against eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, but the executive vice president and general manager of Showtime in Stephen Espinoza said the issue of which network will televise the delayed broadcast between Showtime and HBO Sports is holding up a final agreement.
Showtime has completed four fights in a $200 million six-fight deal with Mayweather, while HBO Sports carries Pacquiao’s fights.
Back when the networks got together in 2002 to stage the Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis pay-per-view, they contractually agreed to allow the winner's network to secure the delayed broadcast of the pay-per-view. This time around, HBO is not willing to agree to those terms. HBO wants both networks to have the delayed broadcast. Insiders believe HBO is taking that position because Mayweather is the favorite to win.
Espinoza was quoted by Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review Journal, that while the two networks have “a congenial relationship, each network has its own financial objectives.”
Pacquiao and his longtime adviser Michael Koncz met with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum at his home in Los Angeles yesterday, with the adviser explaining the details to the Filipino who, he said, “is comfortable with everything.”
He indicated to Carp that it also included a Plan B in case the Mayweather fight doesn’t push through, but Arum declined to get into the details, emphasizing their focus is on Mayweather.
“We’re waiting on him,” Arum said.
Koncz, who flew to New York with Pacquiao, confirmed what Arum told BS/Manila Standard/Viva Sports, that “there’s nothing from Floyd’s side yet.”
The terms have been reportedly agreed upon, including the May 2 date, the MGM Grand Garden venue, a 60-40 split in favor of Mayweather and after some discussion, both sides have agreed to random drug testing by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
Espinoza indicated that Mayweather was aware of what was going on regarding the negotiations and reiterated what strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza said that the American wants the Pacquiao fight badly.
“Mayweather is more motivated than ever to get this fight done,” said Espinoza.
Espinoza believes it’s in the interest of both sides to get this resolved as soon as possible.
“Rather than say there is a drop-dead date, I would look at it more as we’re running a race and what’s important is crossing the finish line. If we don’t cross the finish line, it doesn’t matter how close we are. But I can tell you, there’s still a lot of race to be run,” he said.
UNDEFEATED pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants the May 2 fight against eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, but the executive vice president and general manager of Showtime in Stephen Espinoza said the issue of which network will televise the delayed broadcast between Showtime and HBO Sports is holding up a final agreement.
Showtime has completed four fights in a $200 million six-fight deal with Mayweather, while HBO Sports carries Pacquiao’s fights.
Back when the networks got together in 2002 to stage the Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis pay-per-view, they contractually agreed to allow the winner's network to secure the delayed broadcast of the pay-per-view. This time around, HBO is not willing to agree to those terms. HBO wants both networks to have the delayed broadcast. Insiders believe HBO is taking that position because Mayweather is the favorite to win.
Espinoza was quoted by Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review Journal, that while the two networks have “a congenial relationship, each network has its own financial objectives.”
Pacquiao and his longtime adviser Michael Koncz met with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum at his home in Los Angeles yesterday, with the adviser explaining the details to the Filipino who, he said, “is comfortable with everything.”
He indicated to Carp that it also included a Plan B in case the Mayweather fight doesn’t push through, but Arum declined to get into the details, emphasizing their focus is on Mayweather.
“We’re waiting on him,” Arum said.
Koncz, who flew to New York with Pacquiao, confirmed what Arum told BS/Manila Standard/Viva Sports, that “there’s nothing from Floyd’s side yet.”
The terms have been reportedly agreed upon, including the May 2 date, the MGM Grand Garden venue, a 60-40 split in favor of Mayweather and after some discussion, both sides have agreed to random drug testing by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
Espinoza indicated that Mayweather was aware of what was going on regarding the negotiations and reiterated what strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza said that the American wants the Pacquiao fight badly.
“Mayweather is more motivated than ever to get this fight done,” said Espinoza.
Espinoza believes it’s in the interest of both sides to get this resolved as soon as possible.
“Rather than say there is a drop-dead date, I would look at it more as we’re running a race and what’s important is crossing the finish line. If we don’t cross the finish line, it doesn’t matter how close we are. But I can tell you, there’s still a lot of race to be run,” he said.