What are your criticisms of the boxing programming at HBO/Showtime?

[Rantcatrat]

Ken Hershman and Stephen Espinoza begin their tenure this year on HBO and Showtime respectively. I know it is probably futile, but I was considering drafting a letter to them regarding areas that HBO and Showtime could improve upon. What do posters here feel HBO/Showtime can improve upon or continue to do correctly.

For example, I believe they can do a better job forcing tougher matchmaking at the top level. I believe catering to certain advisors/promoters frequently makes for worse television because promoters are hesitant to put their guys in tough. We don't need to see Andre Berto fighting cans for $1M. Stick to their guns in terms of tough match ups at least on paper and if a promoter doesn't have a good match-up in his stable of fighters, force the promoter to work other promoters.

Another example is to pay more attention to the little guys. All too often the little guys are ignored yet turn out eye-catching performances. Half of the foy of the year candidates this year consisted of guys in the lighter weight classes. At least on the undercards, put on guys like Hernan Marquez and Hugo Ruiz. They won't cost too much and they make for great fights. Additionally, fighters from the lighter weight classes appeal to the Latino and Asian demographic.

Go out of the US more. Push for fights in Mexico, the Philipines, Indonesia and the UK etc. The atmosphere at the events makes for great television.

Those are just a couple of ideas I had. I'm sure the knowledgable posters at Saddo's have many that I haven't considered. Advice?

[El Kabong]

HBO/Showtime/ESPN...all of them need to understand there are certain things true fans know

#1 STYLES MAKE FIGHTS...let's try to plan good solid style matchups: Gatti-Ward, Corrales-Castillo, Berto-Ortiz....GOOD, Bernard Hopkins vs anyone, Byrd vs Williamson, Williams vs Cintron BAD...(however B-Hop will be redeemed further down the list)

#2 Undercard matches matter and should therefore be as exciting if not more exciting than the Main Event. UFC is currently kicking your asses on this front.

#3 If you can't get a good style match up at the very least make the fight worth something, a title shot, a record...SOMETHING. This is where B-Hop fits in, he's old, he's cagey, he's a wiley veteran that's forgotten more about boxing than his opponents will ever learn.

#4 Especially ESPN DON'T BASH THE SPORT...commentators are too quick to be negative about boxing, even the guys who say they love it, they love to knit pick at petty little shit and let it ruin a night of boxing. Just because something happened that irritates you or you don't agree with doesn't mean you need to say "This is what's killing boxing" or some such hyperbole.

#5 Use competent judges and referees....NO MORE LAURENCE COLE!!! I don't care whose dick he sucked in Texas to where he does all the God damned fights there he is HORRIBLE. And no more sorry ass judges...actually if a judge turns in a bad card I would like to see them be forced to defend it in a post fight press conference...it's time we cleaned the sport up!

#6 Just because a fight happens outside of the US doesn't mean its total crap...perhaps there was a day where that was true, but now the US and the Western Hemisphere doesn't hold sway over the whole of boxing like it used to...you'll have to travel, you'll have to run tape delay or fix your programming schedule to account for this....tough shit, it's the way of the world.

[Rantcatrat]

HBO/Showtime/ESPN...all of them need to understand there are certain things true fans know

#1 STYLES MAKE FIGHTS...let's try to plan good solid style matchups: Gatti-Ward, Corrales-Castillo, Berto-Ortiz....GOOD, Bernard Hopkins vs anyone, Byrd vs Williamson, Williams vs Cintron BAD...(however B-Hop will be redeemed further down the list)

#2 Undercard matches matter and should therefore be as exciting if not more exciting than the Main Event. UFC is currently kicking your asses on this front.

#3 If you can't get a good style match up at the very least make the fight worth something, a title shot, a record...SOMETHING. This is where B-Hop fits in, he's old, he's cagey, he's a wiley veteran that's forgotten more about boxing than his opponents will ever learn.

#4 Especially ESPN DON'T BASH THE SPORT...commentators are too quick to be negative about boxing, even the guys who say they love it, they love to knit pick at petty little shit and let it ruin a night of boxing. Just because something happened that irritates you or you don't agree with doesn't mean you need to say "This is what's killing boxing" or some such hyperbole.

#5 Use competent judges and referees....NO MORE LAURENCE COLE!!! I don't care whose dick he sucked in Texas to where he does all the God damned fights there he is HORRIBLE. And no more sorry ass judges...actually if a judge turns in a bad card I would like to see them be forced to defend it in a post fight press conference...it's time we cleaned the sport up!

#6 Just because a fight happens outside of the US doesn't mean its total crap...perhaps there was a day where that was true, but now the US and the Western Hemisphere doesn't hold sway over the whole of boxing like it used to...you'll have to travel, you'll have to run tape delay or fix your programming schedule to account for this....tough shit, it's the way of the world.

Lyle - how much influence do the tv stations have over refs/judges? Is it more the Commission? I'm not sure, just asking.

[Rantcatrat]

The emphasis of the post is how would you improve their boxing content?

[El Kabong]

Lyle - how much influence do the tv stations have over refs/judges? Is it more the Commission? I'm not sure, just asking.

Well I am of the opinion that the promoters and Athletic Comissions have the most sway, but I do think HBO & Showtime could turn the screws on them...after all, where is boxing without the medium of television

[FinitoElDinamita]

Showtime on-demand sucks. That's my only complaint.



Ken hershman must run Hbo like he did showtime. Purchase fights instead of fighters and I think they are on the right path in 2012..

Im more of a Showtime guy though.

[Rantcatrat]

Showtime on-demand sucks. That's my only complaint.



Ken hershman must run Hbo like he did showtime. Purchase fights instead of fighters and I think they are on the right path in 2012..

Im more of a Showtime guy though.

Good line.