It was officially announced earlier this week that
undefeated multi-division world champion Floyd Mayweather, the fighter widely
considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world will take on former
WBC Welterweight world champion Andre Berto on September 12th at the MGM Grand
in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather last appeared in May of this year scoring a
lopsided twelve round unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao in a fight that
some called the “Fight Of The Century.”
Speculation regarding what Mayweather would do for his
next fight began immediately following his victory over Pacquiao. Mayweather
stated following the fight that he intended to relinquish the world
championships he holds in both the Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight divisions
saying that his next fight could be a non-title bout. As speculation increased
as to what Mayweather’s potential plans were, discussion among both Boxing fans
and experts alike began as to who might be Mayweather’s opponent for what is
billed as potentially the final time Mayweather will enter the ring as a
fighter.
Since that fight readers have seen this observer discuss
who Mayweather’s opponent could be as several fights took place in recent
months featuring fighters looking to position themselves as a potential
opponent. Along with an ongoing discussion regarding who Mayweather would face
in his scheduled bout in September, rumors began to circulate that Mayweather’s
next fight would not be televised via traditional cable/satellite pay-per-view
in the United States as has been the norm for most of his fights in the last
decade, but would instead potentially be televised on free broadcast television
by CBS.
Some may remember following undefeated Welterweight
contender Keith Thurman’s stoppage win over former WBA Welterweight world
champion Luis Collazo last month, I stated that an argument that some could
make is if Mayweather’s fight, the last in a lucrative six fight contract with
CBS/Showtime in September was to indeed be broadcast by CBS instead of
pay-per-view that it could be an attempt by CBS/Showtime to avoid further
backlash as was the case following Mayweather’s victory over Manny Pacquiao. Backlash
from consumers, both who attended the fight as well those who paid $100 for the
HD broadcast and $80 for the Standard Definition broadcast of the fight who
felt they did not get their money’s worth.
At that time I stated that one should consider that a
problem that might have been present for Mayweather and CBS/Showtime could have
been difficulty in finding an opponent that will convince consumers who felt
they did not get their money’s worth from the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight to
spend more money on another pay-per-view event that would likely be priced
between $70 and $80 if not higher. Although it was rumored that this fight
would be broadcast by CBS, when it was announced that Mayweather will be facing
former WBC Welterweight world champion Andre Berto on September 12th, it was
also announced that the fight will be broadcast by Showtime pay-per-view for
the price of $74.95 for the HD broadcast and $64.95 for the Standard Definition
broadcast.
Although many have already criticized Mayweather for
choosing Andre Berto as the opponent in what is billed as what could be his
final fight, this observer believes that the main source of the criticism is
not so much about whom Mayweather’s opponent will be, but rather the decision to
put this card on pay-per-view. In fairness the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight did
break all existing pay-per-view records generating 4.4 million pay-per-view
buys in the United States and nearly $400 million in pay-per-view revenue.
Even though the sport as a whole may be approaching a new
era where it is prominently featured on several broadcast and cable networks,
featuring well matched and competitive fights where consumers are not asked to
pay for the expense of what has become an increasingly expensive price tag to
see such fights on a cable/satellite pay-per-view basis, the sport is still one
that is pay-per-view centric and has been for many years. It will be
interesting to see how well this fight between Mayweather and Berto will do in
terms of pay-per-view buys. One should keep in mind that pay-per-view numbers
for Boxing cards with the exception of Mayweather-Pacquiao have underperformed
in recent years. One reason for that could be the perception of the main event
of a card, could be the overall value of the cards for the asking price to the
consumer, or it could be the steady increase in pay-per-view prices over the
years, which has some believing that cards may be overpriced. All of the above
should be considered.
Floyd Mayweather however, is the best pound for pound
fighter in the world in the eyes of many and a fighter with that distinction is
often a pay-per-view attraction even when the concept of pay-per-view may not
be one that is popular with consumers. For those who were expecting a more
exciting fight from Mayweather-Pacquiao and feel that they did not get their
money’s worth, one should keep in mind that Floyd Mayweather is a master boxer.
Mayweather is not known as a knockout puncher, but rather
as a tactician and a chess player. At the end of the day his job is to win
fights regardless of whether he succeeds in entertaining his audience. Although
Mayweather does possess the skill, quickness, and hand speed that is capable of
scoring knockouts, the appeal of his fights is not whether he will stop his
opponent within the distance, but rather if that opponent can solve the puzzle
that to date forty-eight previous opponents have been unable to. Whether an
opponent can nullify the elusive movement and breakthrough the superb defense
and precision timing that is Floyd Mayweather’s Boxing style. Simply put, when
it comes to a pure world-class boxer, Floyd Mayweather is as good as they come.
Although this observer was not surprised by the
announcement of Mayweather-Berto as being a pay-per-view card and look forward
to providing further analysis regarding the fight in the coming weeks and even
though the sport as a whole remains pay-per-view centric, I do believe an
opportunity was missed here to continue to usher in what may be a new era. An
opportunity to give the American public a chance to see the best pound for
pound fighter in the world without a pay-per-view price tag as well as what
would likely be a guaranteed ratings winner for CBS.
If this does prove to be Mayweather’s swansong as a
fighter, some may say that a good way to end his career as one of the sport’s
top pay-per-view draws in the last decade would have been to signal the
beginning of a new era for his final act. It would be a shame however, if what
could be the final fight for a man who will go down in history as a great
fighter regardless of the outcome of that fight and regardless of whether fans
may like him or not, if that moment in Boxing history were to be largely
rejected by consumers. Only time will tell.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
Denison All Rights Reserved.
Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison
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