No HBO for Klitschko

[The Fightfan]

Just wondering Wlad is fighting Eddie Chambers on March 20th correct? I still haven't seen anything that he will be fighting on HBO. Anyone now something about this? Let the knock's on the Klitschko bros begin.

[tillman78]

The fight will not be televised in the US. Which is a shame considering Chambers is the best American Heavyweight.

[killersheep]

HBO is really backing down on the televised fights. They haven't jumped on the MMA bandwagon, I wonder what the big plan is?

[El Kabong]

I think the fight being in Germany is making it more expensive for American TV to cover it. It's being shown here on internet PPV...the freaking INTERNET!!!

One would think that ESPN or Versus or Spike would pick that up but to be honest the matchup isn't that great. People give Chambers 0 chance to win (I agree, I think he belongs at cruiserweight) but pairing Eddie's defensive style along with Wlad's style is leaving the stations second guessing themselves...I think it'll be a good fight myself because both times Wlad fought Byrd were pretty decent and I think Eddie MAY try to pressure Wlad thinking that his defense can withstand Wlad's punches but few fighters have been very successful at that, only 2 to my knowledge have been able to withstand Wlad's power and win, Sanders just came out swinging and landed early and often.

I believe Wlad-____ or Povetkin would be on tv no problem, I think the odds and the style match up made the networks pass on it. And yeah it's a big shame because Wlad's a technician in there and Eddie is skilled as well, he's worked hard for his shot and damnit someone needs to step up and give him some air time!!!

[Kirkland Laing]

The Shopping Channel just announced they're going to show Junior's fight with Chambers live. As part of the contract Junior has to sell handbags on air for three hours a day for two weeks before the fight. So at least he's still on American TV.

[Taeth]

I think it's primarily because chambers style doesn't match up well against wladimir. Eddie has the fastest hands in he division, a good chin and defense, but he too stationary to get around Wlad's jab, and too small to counter when wlad hits his gloves because the force of the blows will keep him back.

[Lance Uppercut]

Here is a story on the topic:

Boxing: The heavyweight championship has become can't-see TV - ESPN

[HattonTheHammer]

Even sky didnt want the fight. Only way you can watch in britain is via the primetime PPV channel.

I just guess the big tv companys have just become bored watching the klitschkos roll over guys 3-4 inches shorter with nothing to suggest they have a chance.

Ive gotta admit even as a fast eddie fan im about as excited as this as watching mayweather prance around a ring for 12rounds!!

[El Kabong]

I don't think height has as much to do with it as style....I mean if there was another Tyson people would pay to watch him fight Wladimir. Eddie Chambers is talented but it's just his style is to hang back and counter, he has power but nothing really shocking.

I'd rather see Chambers fight someone else...I like the dude and I don't want his career to go all Calvin Brock because Wlad is going to KO him.

[HattonTheHammer]

I don't think height has as much to do with it as style....I mean if there was another Tyson people would pay to watch him fight Wladimir. Eddie Chambers is talented but it's just his style is to hang back and counter, he has power but nothing really shocking.

I'd rather see Chambers fight someone else...I like the dude and I don't want his career to go all Calvin Brock because Wlad is going to KO him.

but there isnt tyson, holyfield, bowe etc anymore and until the US can actually pull there finger out and start asking why these guys arent coming through anymore the klitschkos and any other world class foreign heavyweight leave the scene the division is just one big very unattractive mess.

[El Kabong]

True there aren't any heavyweight greats coming into the division anytime soon....I have high hopes for Deontay Wilder but he's 24 had only 8 fights and he's really raw. The heavyweight division imparticular goes through ebbs and flows of talent rich and talent deprived eras as well as action rich and action deprived eras and right now I see the lack of intrest in the division more as #1 nobody thinks the guys in the top 20 can beat the Klitschko's right now and #2 the personalities in the division aren't electric enough to keep the attention of the average sports fan.


I will say this, both the Klitschko's have been dominant enough to be compared to what other Great heavyweights have done but their opposition lacks the danger and their fights lack the drama that the likes of Lewis, Holyfield, Holmes, and of course Ali/Frazier/Foreman faced. It's not 100% their fault...they have to fight who is out there and right now it's not a lot. I'm surprised they can keep their focus

[HattonTheHammer]

True there aren't any heavyweight greats coming into the division anytime soon....I have high hopes for Deontay Wilder but he's 24 had only 8 fights and he's really raw. The heavyweight division imparticular goes through ebbs and flows of talent rich and talent deprived eras as well as action rich and action deprived eras and right now I see the lack of intrest in the division more as #1 nobody thinks the guys in the top 20 can beat the Klitschko's right now and #2 the personalities in the division aren't electric enough to keep the attention of the average sports fan.


I will say this, both the Klitschko's have been dominant enough to be compared to what other Great heavyweights have done but their opposition lacks the danger and their fights lack the drama that the likes of Lewis, Holyfield, Holmes, and of course Ali/Frazier/Foreman faced. It's not 100% their fault...they have to fight who is out there and right now it's not a lot. I'm surprised they can keep their focus

Ive been told many a time from those inside and outside the sport it is simply a case of boxing losing its heavyweight talent to the NFL?

Any truth in this??

[generalbulldog]

I don't think height has as much to do with it as style....I mean if there was another Tyson people would pay to watch him fight Wladimir. Eddie Chambers is talented but it's just his style is to hang back and counter, he has power but nothing really shocking.

I'd rather see Chambers fight someone else...I like the dude and I don't want his career to go all Calvin Brock because Wlad is going to KO him.

but there isnt tyson, holyfield, bowe etc anymore and until the US can actually pull there finger out and start asking why these guys arent coming through anymore the klitschkos and any other world class foreign heavyweight leave the scene the division is just one big very unattractive mess.

There aren't going to be anymore great American HWs in the future. If I was a betting man I would bank on it. They are in the NFL, NBA, MLB. Those sports have more exposure plus more benefits in terms of getting an college education on the lower levels and then getting guaranteed million dollar contracts when they get to the pros.

But America will still produce fighters in the lower weights, because these guys are too small to play in the 3 big sports. You guys can blame HBO, Showtime and PPV for killing boxing in America. When boxing was put on premium cable channels and 50 dollars PPV it limits the exposure the sport has to potential customers and participants.

[Nameless]

True there aren't any heavyweight greats coming into the division anytime soon....I have high hopes for Deontay Wilder but he's 24 had only 8 fights and he's really raw. The heavyweight division imparticular goes through ebbs and flows of talent rich and talent deprived eras as well as action rich and action deprived eras and right now I see the lack of intrest in the division more as #1 nobody thinks the guys in the top 20 can beat the Klitschko's right now and #2 the personalities in the division aren't electric enough to keep the attention of the average sports fan.


I will say this, both the Klitschko's have been dominant enough to be compared to what other Great heavyweights have done but their opposition lacks the danger and their fights lack the drama that the likes of Lewis, Holyfield, Holmes, and of course Ali/Frazier/Foreman faced. It's not 100% their fault...they have to fight who is out there and right now it's not a lot. I'm surprised they can keep their focus

Ive been told many a time from those inside and outside the sport it is simply a case of boxing losing its heavyweight talent to the NFL?

Any truth in this??

NFL, NBA are some of the causes for one obvious reason which I did read a few articles about including one made by Bob Arum: Iin country like Russia, boxing is the best chance for big guys to earn some decent bucks if they can get through. In the United States, at College, if you're good at Football or Basketball, you can have your studies all paid and make money over it... not to say that if you're good, you can even make a very good living out of it. Why would the big guys go through all the pain of boxing with all the difficulties and the pain that comes with it to make only a few bucks if you'Re lucky when the basic standard of NBA or NFL will guarantee you something like 800 000 a year? If you're becoming very good, you earn, in average (of course some rare exceptions applies) more than the average boxer without all the head trauma and the all year long intensive training that comes with it? include to that the fact that there is much bigger need for guaranteed job in these leagues than there is in boxing with a much higher payroll guaranteed (when in boxing you never know as your opponent might be injured, same for you and then no dough), the big guys prefer to try something out of these leagues sports as it is a much safer guaranteed for their future and it is easier. Russia and other countries where these leagues do not exist do not have these possibilities, hence why there is such a raise of talent in the countries from the East.

[Zilla]

Can you imagine Shaq fighting? I know it's laughable as the guy can't fight worth anything, but if he'd grown up doing it he might have been a monster. What was he, 340 at his biggest in his prime? He would have killed guys with his jab alone.