How come HBO wern't on HBO this weekend?

[Kirkland Laing]

The budget crunch has nothing to do with Goldenboy producing the telecast though. At least once a year, either Top rank or Goldenboy will produce it's own PPV and use HBO for distribution.

Correct. This has happened before. One that comes to mind is last year when Top Rank had the Morales-Diaz PPV. It was marketed by HBO, but there were no HBO commentators, graphics, etc.

Of course the worst aspect of this is that boxing fans are going to be regularly deprived of the thoughts of Max Kellerman and the backlash this will engender towards HBO. I'm not sure HBO have thought through the financial consequences for them of not having Max doing their PPV broadcasts.