End of an era: HBO leaving boxing.

[VG_Addict]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/27/s...bo-boxing.html

What do you think of this? Is it a good move?

[TitoFan]

There was already a thread on this, but.... good move for who.

It's not good for boxing, really. Anytime a major network abandons a sport it can't be good for its popularity. Sure there are other networks willing to take up the slack..... and streaming has been pushing itself onto the scene.... but HBO Boxing was HBO Boxing, with its grandiose productions on major events. So of course it's not good for boxing.

Is it good for HBO? Well.... HBO has proven itself to be like the girl at the bar who will go with whoever has the nicest car waiting outside. They, through their marketing gurus, feel boxing popularity is not what it used to be, and they're rushing to cater to what they think the upcoming generations want to see. As a boxing fan, I would hope the sport itself could cause HBO to regret their decision and do an about-face..... but that's not likely to happen. Let's face it, HBO doesn't "need" boxing at this point.

Is it good for the fans? Depends who you ask. I agree with those who say the excitement, buildup, and spectacle of a major fight on a major network is hard to replicate by streaming. I enjoy the having friends over.... preparing the food and drinks..... and yelling like hell for my favorite. But to each his own, I guess.

[TAPugil]

Thanks for the memories. But when a network has the ability to prevent a mega fight because the other network(s) won't budge with their fighters, it hurts fans, ultimately the sport itself.

Between promoters, boxing promoters, PPV, networks owning, dictating, preventing fights, something had to give.