Boxing's biggest problem is that it's on HBO/Showtime and not on regular tv

[LukeH]

As for the title, I dont know about in the US but in the UK national networks aren't willing to pay enough money to air the fights. Top boxer's demand more money nowadays than they did in the past, the same as every sport, only the networks dont think they will recoup the money they pay out.

Even though I thought the few fights they did show over the past few years did pretty good numbers with little to no promotion . Maybe it wasn't enough for them to feel it was worth while to line their pockets.

[J_Undisputed]

The biggest problem is society. Growing up, there used to be a fight on every Saturday afternoon. Nbc's wide world of sports. CBS, etc. Now a days.. you have all these hyper sensitive parents that complain that putting something like boxing on TV, teaches their kids to be violent. For parents that let the TV raise their kids, it could be. Whatevers on, needs to receive a push from the media networks and being able to net a lot of money per showing and gain the interest of the women of the house. If they had a "boxing with the stars" show everyone and their mom would be tuning into see betty white kick hilary clintons @$$ people would warm up to the sport without even knowing it.
The ufc is on primetime, because with an arsenal of techniques at their disposal, everyone stands a chance of beating everyone else. Also the tap out aspect, gives people the impression that its less barbaric. Professional wrestling manged to throw people through 3 tables and hit them with garbage cans... but its ok.. cuz its just an act. Is the ratio of boxers that threw in the towel vs. guys that died after a fight + the number of plaster wrap, steroid cheats stories worth the number of boring fights that can happen when 6ft 5 ukranian, jabs and sleep walks over a pudgy unheard of heavyweight? Just my two cents....

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

I blame Larry Holmes.

[fan johnny]

What many posters fail to realize here is that the Promoters put boxing on HBO and Showtime not the public or sport's governing bodies.

It is the Promoters that sell their products exclusively to these to cable networks.

Here's a sample of what Airtime rates cost. please follow the link.

When a fighter starts doing well with his career that's when Top Rank, GBP and other big name promoters look at signing them. On occasion they can go after top armatures. Two of the ways unknown fighters get known outside of local fight exposure.

1. Through sports boxing news coverage. (mainstream media)
2. Through TV broadcast of fights. (fights on Cable or over-the-Air Networks)

When a fighter wins over other sports news writers, he becomes known as what promoters term as a crossover star. When a fighters get written and reported about by non-sports news outlets he is known as even as an even bigger cross-over star. Promoters don't have to work for their fighter to become known. The fighters sell themselves.

It is a "Myth" to think that state boxing is where it is today, related to being aired on regular TV because of how society treats Boxing. Boxing is where it is because of how Promoters market their products.

[generalbulldog]

What many posters fail to realize here is that the Promoters put boxing on HBO and Showtime not the public or sport's governing bodies.

It is the Promoters that sell their products exclusively to these to cable networks.

Here's a sample of what Airtime rates cost. please follow the link.

When a fighter starts doing well with his career that's when Top Rank, GBP and other big name promoters look at signing them. On occasion they can go after top armatures. Two of the ways unknown fighters get known outside of local fight exposure.

1. Through sports boxing news coverage. (mainstream media)
2. Through TV broadcast of fights. (fights on Cable or over-the-Air Networks)

When a fighter wins over other sports news writers, he becomes known as what promoters term as a crossover star. When a fighters get written and reported about by non-sports news outlets he is known as even as an even bigger cross-over star. Promoters don't have to work for their fighter to become known. The fighters sell themselves.

It is a "Myth" to think that state boxing is where it is today, related to being aired on regular TV because of how society treats Boxing. Boxing is where it is because of how Promoters market their products.

I actually knew that it was the promotors and the boxers fault for moving to premium cable channel. Network tv never left boxing, it was the other way around. For short term financial gain it hurt the sport overall.

I think there was only 1 person in this thread that belive the tv networks left boxing, while it was the other way around.

Whatever, I think boxing really needs to hit rock bottom for some changes to be made.

[Master]

It is very short term for the fighter to say we have to make as much money as possible and it is a short career. They do not think that long term after they have retired they will have commercials for aftershave, free dinners and pantos for the rest of their retired lives.

[JazMerkin]

It is very short term for the fighter to say we have to make as much money as possible and it is a short career. They do not think that long term after they have retired they will have commercials for aftershave, free dinners and pantos for the rest of their retired lives.

How many fighters can actually get that? Very few. The Brunos, Eubanks & Benns, but not many others.

Every fighter should think about his own financial well-being. It is a potentially short career. If he dies or is seriously injured, how will his family cope with projected future earnings based on pantos & aftershave? Because be clear that is what is at stake.

Promoters, and in the UK at least, the TV companies are who you have to look at for boxing not being on TV. Fighters need to do what is best for them because it's they who are in the ring taking all the risk.

[Master]

It is very short term for the fighter to say we have to make as much money as possible and it is a short career. They do not think that long term after they have retired they will have commercials for aftershave, free dinners and pantos for the rest of their retired lives.

How many fighters can actually get that? Very few. The Brunos, Eubanks & Benns, but not many others.

Every fighter should think about his own financial well-being. It is a potentially short career. If he dies or is seriously injured, how will his family cope with projected future earnings based on pantos & aftershave? Because be clear that is what is at stake.

Promoters, and in the UK at least, the TV companies are who you have to look at for boxing not being on TV. Fighters need to do what is best for them because it's they who are in the ring taking all the risk.

The comments I made were tongue in cheek, I know not all fighters have the commercials but Khan is up there in terms of public awareness as Benn and Eubanks were. I was saying he will have a greater legacy in the heart and minds of people if he went on free to air channels. I know what they are doing can be fatal but long term he will benefit after his career is finished.

[generalbulldog]

The NFL or the league that runs American Football has revenues around 9 billion even more so than the EPL or any soccer league. It's on free tv here in America. Of course what's done is that there are shit load of sponsors and commercials running during halftime and breaks. The Superbowl, the championship game is usually estimated that half of American households have it turned on and being watched when it's on. So the network that is showing the Superbowl and the NFL charges like 3.5 million per 30 second air space.

What does this have to do with boxing? Well for one thing a big match let's say Pac/Floyd can generate that many viewers if promoted correctly particularly with some type of 24/7 show and air on free tv along with the match itself Of course people will be wondering about the prize money. I say guarantee both an enormous amount like say $25 million each and the commercials that are run during prime time can be charged something like $3 million per 30 second air space when the round is over (broadcast 2 of them) or just before the main event is to start, broadcast a few of them and after. The money can be split between the network showing the fight and the 2 fighters teams when it comes to the commercials. A fight of the caliber of FLoyd/Manny will guarantee to be the Superbowl of boxing, hell I even think if Haye/Wlad is promoted correctly can be a big seller in the US. BUt of course its just an idea. It can be done. BUt of course you would need a promoter with balls and brilliant planning with some network executive to make it work. The Superbowl isn't on PPV and it still generates so much money.

Or fighters like Manny and Floyd can pull a Mike Tyson move. Mike Tyson after getting out of prison had his 2nd fight on free network tv. It was the Buster Mathis Jr. fight and was shown on the Fox network. It generated massive ratings. I remember Don KIng saying he wanted to show the public a free airing of Mike Tyson and that if they wanted to see more, then pay for his next fight which was against Bruno on PPV. It was a bold and genius move by King. That Frank Bruno fight generated like 1.36 million buys, which was massive for 1996. Say what you want about Don King, but back then he had some badass ideas that worked.

[IamInuit]

Arum Talks Showtime, HBO's Issues, Shaw, More - Boxing News

Translation = Cluster Fk.

[generalbulldog]

Arum Talks Showtime, HBO's Issues, Shaw, More - Boxing News

Translation = Cluster Fk.

I can't believe I"m saying this but I do agree with Arum, although it was him that was partially at fault for helping to move boxing to premium cable. He has a point especially on the NFL. I was thinking the NFL could make a killing money wise if it was on premium cable and it's playoff games and SB was on PPV, but it would fuck the sport in the long term.

[IamInuit]

Arum Talks Showtime, HBO's Issues, Shaw, More - Boxing News

Translation = Cluster Fk.

I can't believe I"m saying this but I do agree with Arum, although it was him that was partially at fault for helping to move boxing to premium cable. He has a point especially on the NFL. I was thinking the NFL could make a killing money wise if it was on premium cable and it's playoff games and SB was on PPV, but it would fuck the sport in the long term.

From a business standpoint, I suppose it's genius. In the overall question as to why boxing has taken a back seat it is a kind of "which came first the chicken or the egg" scenario. Look, their is something wrong in pugilism when broadcaster's like HBO and Showtime are deciding who fights whom.

[generalbulldog]

Arum Talks Showtime, HBO's Issues, Shaw, More - Boxing News

Translation = Cluster Fk.

I can't believe I"m saying this but I do agree with Arum, although it was him that was partially at fault for helping to move boxing to premium cable. He has a point especially on the NFL. I was thinking the NFL could make a killing money wise if it was on premium cable and it's playoff games and SB was on PPV, but it would fuck the sport in the long term.

From a business standpoint, I suppose it's genius. In the overall question as to why boxing has taken a back seat it is a kind of "which came first the chicken or the egg" scenario. Look, their is something wrong in pugilism when broadcaster's like HBO and Showtime are deciding who fights whom.

I just got done reading a Sport's Illustrated article about Rocky Marciano a few days ago. And Rocky was particularly upset with boxing being taken out of high school and the colleges as a sport, this happened in the 1950s. That to me was another blow to boxing. Sports like football, basketball, and baseball are at the high school and college level everywhere in America. They have a system to introduce and produce talent, meaning they are already scouting the youngsters and introducing them to the sport. Boxing doesn't have that luxury anymore. And with the litigious nature of the US, I don't foresee it being a high school or college sport again. Just imagine some soccer mom suing the high school district because her son got beaten up and embarrassed in some gym wars?

So the decline in boxing in America imo was a combination of things like it being removed from HS and colleges and add to the fact it was completely removed from network television and you have a niche sport.

[fan johnny]

Arum Talks Showtime, HBO's Issues, Shaw, More - Boxing News

Translation = Cluster Fk.

I can't believe I"m saying this but I do agree with Arum, although it was him that was partially at fault for helping to move boxing to premium cable. He has a point especially on the NFL. I was thinking the NFL could make a killing money wise if it was on premium cable and it's playoff games and SB was on PPV, but it would fuck the sport in the long term.

What a bold face liar! HBO is out for HBO ratings, Arum is the one selling to HBO because it's lump sum money. You don't have to work as hard as promoter when HBO buys the fights. HBO then turns around an markets the fight. It's like outsourcing the promotion. If you have to promote the fight, You have to be the one to buy the Air time and do all kinds of shit to draw attention to sell the fight. There is a lot of fucking work to do. You might not have recognized it, but you've seen GBP do this with the news infomercials on Floyd's fights although they could just call TMZ with his schedule. In Dallas, it was Jones doing the selling. And what Arum is really after, is those free advertisements he gets from the main stream new media. With Pacquiao, it is very easy because news media follows him. That shit about the other promoters and Alexander was just setting up to get Alexander over to Top Rank. I agree, he really is a "cluster fuk".

The NFL already does PPV in the form of Sports Cable network channels. And I'd be willing to bet, it brings down the ratings but makes them more money.

[IamInuit]

Arum Talks Showtime, HBO's Issues, Shaw, More - Boxing News

Translation = Cluster Fk.

I can't believe I"m saying this but I do agree with Arum, although it was him that was partially at fault for helping to move boxing to premium cable. He has a point especially on the NFL. I was thinking the NFL could make a killing money wise if it was on premium cable and it's playoff games and SB was on PPV, but it would fuck the sport in the long term.

From a business standpoint, I suppose it's genius. In the overall question as to why boxing has taken a back seat it is a kind of "which came first the chicken or the egg" scenario. Look, their is something wrong in pugilism when broadcaster's like HBO and Showtime are deciding who fights whom.

I just got done reading a Sport's Illustrated article about Rocky Marciano a few days ago. And Rocky was particularly upset with boxing being taken out of high school and the colleges as a sport, this happened in the 1950s. That to me was another blow to boxing. Sports like football, basketball, and baseball are at the high school and college level everywhere in America. They have a system to introduce and produce talent, meaning they are already scouting the youngsters and introducing them to the sport. Boxing doesn't have that luxury anymore. And with the litigious nature of the US, I don't foresee it being a high school or college sport again. Just imagine some soccer mom suing the high school district because her son got beaten up and embarrassed in some gym wars?

So the decline in boxing in America imo was a combination of things like it being removed from HS and colleges and add to the fact it was completely removed from network television and you have a niche sport.

Lmao. I hear yeah man. We live in a world of watching kids play in the front yard wearing helmets lol.
I'm a bit of a stickler on history and Marciano peaked out in perhaps the weakest division in boxing history. Walcott had him and he was ripe and then Suzi Q. Joe was an old man. Charles had him in the second fight and he was a write off in the first. Holmes entered the division in a similar fashion.