... yea, hell, they dropped the ball on Mayweather (thanks Merchant!). And, they dropped Rigo off of the roster (i'm not fussed about it, because he is still a champ and plus he's boring)... and, of course, their "packaging" of Andre Ward leaves very little to be desired, I'd still go with HBO on any weekend over Showtime.
That's not to say they get my viewership off the rip, but they still are considered fight central.
Lampley has kept the light on for all of us. If it wasn't for him, I would certainly have had them and Showtime on even-stevens.
But, there is no replacement. Max Kellerman, while a very KEEN boxing analyst and mind, and while Paulie Mallinaghi with Steve Farhood has captivated some of us with their banter and Paulie's SURPRISING second job as a television personality (despite his crude and arrogant smirky-ness) is not yet "ready" to take the mic from Lampley. Perhaps a little ways down the line- but it's too soon now. Lampley still has it...
HBO needs another star. I'm tellin' ya- put Andre Ward on the day-time and late night talk circuit, and sell him as he is, and MAKE HIM get involved with "causes" where he can be front and center, even if it's on the 700 Club with the Evangelicals, they can double that investment and have a franchise star that would rake in HEAPS of cash- and, of course, with the proper fights.
Take my foolish advise, HBO... take this ass-hats foolish advice.
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