Press Release: By Probellum –
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and Photo Courtesy of: Probellum Used with permission.
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
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Wednesday, January 26, 2022
PROBELLUM’S UPCOMING DUBAI EVENT TO HOST HISTORY-MAKING FEMALE WORLD TITLE MATCH
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
DUBAI TO HOST PROBELLUM DOUBLE-HEADER FEATURING WORLD TITLE FIGHTS IN MARCH
Press Release: By Probellum –
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Material
and Photo Courtesy of: Probellum Used with permission.
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
Denison All Rights Reserved.
JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ CLASHES WITH CHOCOLATITO GONZALEZ MARCH 5TH ON DAZN
Press Release: January 25, 2022 By DAZN – World Flyweight ruler moves up in weight against Super-Fly legend on March 05
Julio Cesar Martinez will face Roman
‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez at the Pechanga Arena San Diego in San Diego, California
on Saturday, March 5, live worldwide on DAZN. Credit:DAZN
Martinez (18-1 14 KOs) fights at 115lbs for
the first time and does so against a legend of the weight in Chocolatito (50-3
41 KOs), with the Mexican stepping in to replace Juan Francisco Estrada, who
has been forced out of his trilogy clash with Chocolatito with COVID.
Martinez’s last action was a trademark
all-action shootout with McWilliams Arroyo in New Hampshire in November, with
both men hitting the canvas in the opening round and Martinez flooring Arroyo
in the second before the contest was stopped with Arroyo suffering a cut.
The exciting Mexican has spoken freely of his
desire to move up in weight and challenge himself against the cream of the
115lb scene like Chocolatito and Estrada, and opportunity has knocked loudly
for the 26 year old to announce himself at Super-Flyweight in San Diego and ‘El
Rey’ plans to do so in style against the Nicaraguan star.
“I am thrilled that I am able to move up in
weight and fight the very best straight away,” said Martinez. “Chocolatito is a
living legend and a fighter I have always admired, so to be fighting him in my
first fight at Super-Flyweight is special – but on the night, it’s going to be
war and I am ready for it.
“I have ambitions to unify the Flyweight
division and that flame still burns, but this fight is so huge for me, and I
did not hesitate to accept it – I promise the fans that I will put on a show.”
“What a fight!” said promoter Eddie Hearn.
“Julio has ambitions to become a pound-for-pound star, and this is what the
greats do – meet huge challenges head on and take them with both hands.
Chocolatito is a modern great and he’s relishing this test against El Rey – I
cannot wait for this fight and I’m so happy that both men have signed on the
dotted line to deliver this brilliant fight to the fans.”
A stacked undercard sees Mauricio Lara return
to action against Emilio Sanchez, Angel Fierro defends
his WBO NABO Lightweight title against Juan Carlos Burgos, Diego
Pacheco tastes eight round action for the fourth time against Genc
Pllana, Marc Castro is in his sixth pro fight, Anthony
Herrera fights for the second time in the paid ranks and Australian Skye
Nicolson makes her pro debut.
Tickets starting at $50 are on sale now from
Ticketmaster - fans that require refunds from the original headline fight
should contact their point of purchase.
Material and Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with
permission.
For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible
streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local
start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of
Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
Monday, January 24, 2022
An Argument For A Magsayo-Russell Rematch
As the month of January 2022 has been a spotty one in
terms of the Boxing schedule due in part to the ongoing global COVID-19
epidemic, there obviously has not been the usual activity in terms of action
inside of the ring that we saw in 2021 and before the epidemic began in late
2019. The first notable world championship fight in 2022 however, did take
place on January 22nd at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.
This observer is referring to the battle for the WBC Featherweight world
championship between champion Gary Russell and undefeated WBC number three
rated contender Mark Magsayo.
Perhaps it is simply the point of view of yours truly as
a veteran Boxing historian and writer, but this encounter did not seem to have
much in the way of an abundance of hype in the weeks and days prior to it
taking place. This could be due to the circumstances of the ongoing epidemic
and possible uncertainty as to whether or not the fight would take place as
scheduled. While this is only speculation my part, it was refreshing in a sense
that this was simply two highly skilled fighters facing off for a world
championship. Although the recent history of the 126lb. Featherweight division
has not had the type of name recognition value that the division has enjoyed in
decades past both due to fighters either retiring or moving up in weight, this
was perhaps the beginning of a new era for the division.
In terms of how the two fighters matched up, this figured
to be an encounter between a boxer/puncher in the champion Russell going
against an unbeaten, but untested challenger a Magsayo. This fight also
featured the dynamic of a southpaw going against an orthodox fighter. What
stood out almost immediately was the tactical approach in which Magsayo
implemented his offense. Under some circumstances when an orthodox fighter
faces a southpaw, there can be difficulty for the orthodox fighter to get into
a consistent rhythm offensively. This was a case where Magsayo was able to
establish distance as well as attack in sporadic spurts with a variety of
offense ranging from straight right hands, hooks with both hands, as well as
uppercuts, and mixing all the above between the body and the head of the
champion Russell. It was also noticeable that whenever Russell would land
something significant, Magsayo with immediately counter punch.
What was also clear was the champion seemed to have
difficulty with his right shoulder, which can turn out to be crucial if you are
southpaw fighter because any injury to your right hand or shoulder will
compromise your lead hand. As the fight progressed, this is essentially what
appeared to be happening as Russell was very sporadic in throwing his right
hand and this allowed Magsayo to control the tempo of the combat as well as
outwork the champion. Although Russell had successfully defended his title five
times going into this fight, it should not be overlooked that this was his
first bout in nearly two years as his last bout was in February 2020 shortly
before the COVID-19 epidemic began to significantly change day to day life here
in the United States and created a lengthy shutdown for many sports including Boxing
during that year. Whether or not Russell’s sporadic offense was attributed to
an injury as well as inactivity is debatable, but in my eyes Magsayo was doing
what all fighters who challenge for a world championship are expected to do,
bring the fight to the champion.
Despite seemingly controlling the tempo of the combat, as
the fight progressed into the middle and late rounds of the scheduled twelve round
world championship bout, Magsayo slightly seemed to decrease his activity,
perhaps due to fatigue. This created an opening for the champion who had
success in spots in landing his left hand and at times being able to catch the
challenger as he came forward with the left hand. Even though I felt that
Magsayo had carried the fight with his greater activity and ring generalship
throughout much of the bout, I did wonder whether or not what Russell was able
to accomplish though sporadic particularly over the second half of the fight would
be enough to earn rounds on the scorecards.
After all, even the most seasoned of observers of which
yours truly is one, can never know which way three official judges may be
leaning in their scoring of a fight. In many cases, it can come down to what
amounts to an educated guess based on the experience that one accumulates from
watching fights on every level and every form that the sport of Boxing has to
offer. In the interest of honesty with the reader, I will say as a Boxing lifer,
there have been more than a few times that I have been surprised and have
disagreed with an official decision based on what I saw in a fight.
Sometimes in addition to what amounts to an educated
guess can also be influenced by a gut feeling that one gets. This was a fight
where both fighters had clear moments of success. The question that developed
in my mind as the bout approached the final three rounds was whether or not
sporadic counter punching by Russell would be enough to overcome the greater
activity of Magsayo as well as how the challenger seemingly dictated the combat
from the outset. While my gut feeling was that Magsayo had done enough to win
the fight on my scorecard, I had learned long ago never to dismiss the
possibility of the judges seeing things differently. It was also indisputable
that Russell was able to make up some ground down the stretch and at minimum I
felt that the possibility was there to see some narrow scorecards in the sense
of close scores being rendered.
As it would turn out the instinct of this observer to not
dismiss how the three judges may have saw things turned out to be correct in
terms of seeing close scorecards as at the end of the twelve round world
championship bout, two of three official judges scored the fight 115-113 or
seven rounds to five in favor of Mark Magsayo making him the winner and new
champion via majority decision, while the third judge had the fight even at six
rounds a piece or 114-114 in points. Unofficially, I had Magsayo winning the
fight eight rounds to four or 116-112 in points.
At the end of the day, despite what I felt was a
significant lead that Magsayo was able to build early on and through the middle
rounds, what things amounted to here was essentially a one round swing in terms
of both my unofficial score as well as the official scores. If the reader is a
little confused allow me to elaborate. If one round were scored differently on
my unofficial card, I would have ended up with the same 115-113 scorecard as
two of the three official judges. If one of those judges had scored one round
differently, they would have arrived at the same score as the third official
judge in rendering a draw, which obviously changes the outcome of the fight.
Simply put, it turned out to be a very close and competitive fight particularly
down the stretch than what I observed over the first seven rounds in which I
felt Magsayo had done enough to pull away with the fight in addition to winning
a round down the stretch. It is something that unfortunately has become a habit
of mine in saying over the years, but when it comes to close fights, it will
often boil down to what a judge prefers in their own criteria in how they score
based on clean punching, effective aggressiveness, ring generalship, and
defense. By its very nature, judging is selective and obviously opinions can
vary.
Should there be a rematch? This observer would say yes,
based not only on the fact that Russell had held onto the WBC Featherweight
world championship for over six years, but also what turned out to be a close
fight. How soon a rematch can be made will likely come down to the condition of
Gary Russell’s shoulder as well as whether or not the World Boxing Council
(WBC) will mandate a rematch take place and/or if there was a rematch clause in
the contract for this fight. Without getting into the various elements of what
amounts to red tape that can prevent a rematch from happening within a
reasonable timeframe, if Russell is healthy and does not require much downtime
from the apparent injury to his right shoulder, and if both fighters want to fight each
other again, why not? It was a good and competitive fight after all.
“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
Sunday, January 23, 2022
UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMPION MOSSELY SIGNS FOR PROBELLUM
Press Release: By Probellum – Los
Angeles, CA - January 23, 2022 - Probellum is delighted to
announce the promotional signing of IBO world lightweight champion and Olympic
gold medallist,
Estelle Mossely. Credit: Probellum
The 29-year-old French fighter (9-0, 1
knockout), who is undefeated as a professional, clinched the IBO world lightweight title in 2019 with a
victory over Lucy Wildheart.
Prior to turning
professional, Paris-born Mossely enjoyed a stellar career at
amateur level winning gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and World
Championships, where she famously defeated current undisputed female
world lightweight champion Katie Taylor at the semi-final stage.
“I am
very excited to embark on the next stage of my boxing journey with Richard
Schaefer and his team at Probellum,” said Mossely.
“I have
known Richard for many years and his track record as a promoter speaks for
itself – he really knows how to build champions into superstars and I’m excited
to start working closely with him.
“As a
truly global boxing promoter with events all around the world, Probellum offers
me the ideal platform to showcase my skills and bring more fans to female
boxing. I predict very exciting times ahead and can’t wait to get started.”
“I have
been a fan of Estelle since her historic gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics,” added
Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum. “Not only
because of her tremendous boxing skills, but also the way she carries herself
outside the ring which makes her in my view the best ambassador for female
boxing in the world.
“She is
a role model for fans and fighters everywhere and in my opinion today, she
is the best pound-for-pound female fighter in the world. In fact, I have
not seen the kind of ring talent and skills from any other fighter, male or
female, since I was fortunate to promote Floyd Mayweather.
“I am
honoured and humbled that Estelle has chosen Probellum to be her promoter and I
am already working round the clock to plan her first fight under the Probellum
banner.”
Mossely becomes the second undefeated female
champion to sign for Probellum, following Danish fighter Dina Thorslund
signing earlier this month, and joins a stable which also includes the likes of
Pat and Luke McCormack, Troy Williamson, Regis Prograis, Nonito Donaire, Donnie
Nietes, Lee McGregor, Eimantas Stanionis, Arthur Biyarslanov, Noel Mikaelian,
Taras Shelestyuk, Ricky Burns, Paul Butler, Lewis Ritson, Muhammad Waseem,
O’Shaquie Foster, Hovhannes Bachkov, Darius Fulghum, Eduardo Hernandez, Mark
Dickinson, Brandon Moore, Jack Bowen, Jason Mallia, Hebert Sousa, Dina
Thorslund, Ben Rees and Will Cawley.
Probellum has also secured co-promotional
agreements with Wasserman Boxing, Universum in Germany, Groupe Yvon Michel in
Canada, Maravillabox Promotions in Spain, Kynoch Boxing in Scotland, Mitchell
Sports Promotions in England, LNK Boxing in Latvia, Titov Boxing in Russia,
Glozier Boxing in New Zealand, Cuadrilatero Boxing in Colombia, PR Best Boxing
in Puerto Rico, Shuan Boxing Promotions in the Dominican Republic, Bufalo
Boxing in Nicaragua, Team Ellis Boxing in Australia, Moron Boxing in Venezuela,
Volcano Boxing in El Salvador, Armin Tan Promotions in Indonesia, Pro Boxing
Team Finland and Box Office Sports in Ghana.
For live
news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Material and Photo Courtesy of: Probellum Used
with permission.
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of
Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, January 22, 2022
Russell-Magsayo Weights From Atlantic City, NJ
The official weigh-in for Saturday’s WBC Featherweight
world championship fight between champion Gary Russell and undefeated
challenger Mark Magsayo took place yesterday in Atlantic City, NJ. Weights for
the televised card, which is being promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)
and will be televised here in the United States on premium cable network Showtime are as follows.
Main Event: WBC Featherweight world championship – 12Rds.
Gary Russell (Champion) 125 1/2lbs. vs. Mark Magsayo (Challenger)
125 1/2lbs.
*Jr. Welterweight – 12Rds.
Subriel Matias 140 1/2lbs. vs. Petros Ananyan 141lbs.
(*This will be a rematch of a bout from February 2020
in which Ananyan won a ten round unanimous decision.)
Jr. Lightweight – 10Rds.
Tugstsogt Nyambayar 128lbs. vs. Sakaria Lukas 127
1/2lbs.
*The three above bouts will be broadcast on Showtime
beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT.
Weights for the remaining unaired preliminary bouts
are not available as of this writing.
Russell vs. Magsayo takes place Tonight (Saturday, January
22nd) at the Borgota Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. This
tripleheader can be seen in the United States on Premium cable/satellite
network Showtime as well as streamed through the Showtime and Showtime Anytime
streaming apps available on mobile, tablet, connected streaming devices, and
Smart TVs beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT. Check your cable or satellite provider
for time and channel in your area. Check your local listings internationally.
For more information about Showtime, Showtime Sports,
and the Showtime and Showtime Anytime streaming apps, please visit: www.SHO.com.
For more information about Premier Boxing Champions please
visit: www.PremierBoxingChampions.com.
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
Denison All Rights Reserved.
Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Jabs And Observations: January 2022
A new
feature for 2022 here on The Boxing Truth®, which this observer hopes will
become a semi-regular addition amongst the variety of content offered to
readers where yours truly will attempt as best as he can to cover several
topics in a condensed manner that may or may not be worthy of a standalone
feature column.
As some
Boxing fans know, the month of January has been a relatively slow one for the
sport of Boxing. This is due in part to several scheduled international Boxing
cards being cancelled and/or rescheduled due to the ongoing global COVID-19
epidemic and travel restrictions internationally as several countries look to
limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
There was however, one notable bout that took place on January 15th
in Verona, NY. I am referring to WBO Light-Heavyweight world champion Joe Smith
Jr., who defended his title against late substitute Steve Geffrard. Much like
several other bouts to have taken place over the last two years throughout the
entire sport, this Light-Heavyweight world championship bout saw Geffrard step
in on a little more than a week’s notice when original opponent Callum Johnson
had to withdraw from challenging Smith due to contracting COVID-19.
Something
that this observer has said too often particularly since the COVID-19 crisis
began is when it comes to fights that are made on short-notice, it is as
difficult for a fighter who had a change in opponent to prepare as it is for
the fighter that is stepping into a bout with limited notice. While the
practice of fighters stepping in on short-notice is certainly not a new one and
did not become common because of the ongoing epidemic, the fact that there is a
crisis going on, on a global scale certainly has to be an additional stress for
fighters that find themselves in this scenario.
For his
part, Geffrard did enter the bout having won his last eighteen bouts after
beginning his career with losses in his first two bouts. Geffrard was however,
taking a significant step up in class of opposition having been relatively
unknown prior to this fight. Geffrard did manage to have some success
periodically throughout this fight in landing sporadic counter punches from a
high defensive guard. The challenger was unable to take the initiative and be
the one throwing punches first throughout the bout. This was due to the
consistent pressure that Smith was able to put on him as well as the champion’s
consistent offensive output throughout. It was Smith’s pressure that eventually
further limited Geffrard’s offense and ultimately an accumulation of punishment
resulted in Smith dropping the “Game” challenger in round nine where Geffrard
was unable to beat the count.
What was
the first defense of the world championship that Smith won in April of last
year was the definition of workmanlike in that he simply went through the
motions and took care of business under circumstances, which had to of been
stressful. As for what this will mean for Joe Smith in the big picture, he
still maintains his position atop the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division along
with fellow world champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Although yours
truly strongly wishes for all world championships throughout Boxing’s seventeen
weight classes to eventually be unified to determine one world champion per
weight division, something that has been a regular addition to this observer’s
annual “Boxing Wishlist” over the years, it would appear that in regard to the
Light-Heavyweight division, all three current world champion, the WBC/IBF world
champion Beterbiev, the WBA world champion Bivol, and the WBO world champion
Smith may not be focused on each other, but rather trying to secure a lucrative
fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the sport’s biggest star and the man
currently recognized as Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion, one
weight class below the Light-Heavyweight division.
Alvarez as
some may remember, also briefly held the WBO Light-Heavyweight world
championship, but opted to move back down in weight where at the time he held a
mandatory challenger position in the WBA’s Super-Middleweight ratings that
eventually saw him win the WBA title and go on to unify the championship with
the WBC, IBF, and WBO crowns to earn undisputed champion status. Recently,
there has been talk of Alvarez testing the waters in the normally obscure
Cruiserweight division, which is one weight class above Light-Heavyweight. The
reason why the division is obscure is it is not thought to be the most
lucrative option for most fighters as a possible steppingstone to competing at
Heavyweight.
What this
could mean for the Light-Heavyweight world champions is simply waiting to see
what Alvarez will do before possibly turning their attention to each other to
possibly unify the division. Obviously, if either Smith, Bivol, or Beterbiev
can secure an opportunity to face Alvarez, that will likely take priority over
any potential unification bouts simply due to economic interests if nothing
else. As for Steve Geffrard, he did his
best under circumstances, which are not ideal for a fighter challenging for a
world championship for the first time. Hopefully, this will not be the last
time Geffrard will see action in or around the top of the Light-Heavyweight
division because it is frankly hard to form an opinion as to how viable a
fighter may or may not be when they are tasked with taking fights on such a
limited notice. Perhaps, under different circumstances where he is able to
prepare for a fight that does not come as a result of short notice/unforeseen
circumstances, he may be able to show more than he was able to against Smith,
but he should be given credit for the effort he did put forth. With the
discussion of Smith-Geffrard, the Light-Heavyweight division, it’s champions,
and the possibility of Saul Alvarez interjecting himself into the equation now
complete, it is time to focus on the second and last topic for this edition of
Jabs And Observations.
As many
readers know, particularly those who have followed the work of this observer
over the years, one subject that continuously comes up more than most is my
continued criticism of the pay-per-view model as well as the benefits of the
digital subscription-based streaming model as it relates to not only the fans
who support Boxing in good times and bad, but the benefit it also has for the
sport itself in providing a more economically reasonable option for consumers
to view Boxing and not be forced to pay often steep prices on a per card basis
via pay-per-view. Despite the pay-per-view model continuing to dwindle due
largely to price points, which more often than not begin at a $60 or above
price point here in the United States, which has consequently resulted in most
pay-per-view offerings producing underwhelming returns in terms of buys, there
remains some promoters who continue to rely on such a model rather than adapt.
In the
coming weeks, there are three pay-per-view Boxing cards on the schedule that
occur within a week of each other, with two taking place on the same day. The
first of these cards will take place on January 29th in Warren, OH
as Hall of Fame promoter Don King will present a seven fight card headlined by
WBC Cruiserweight world champion Ilunga Makabu, who will defend his
title for the second time against top contender Thabiso Mchunu. While neither
fighter is particularly well-known here I’m the United States, Makabu has
generated interest as a potential opponent for Saul Alvarez should he test the
waters at Cruiserweight. While the Makabu-Mchunu card will be priced at $49.99,
a price point that is lower than many pay-per-view cards in present day, there
may be questions as to how successful the event might be due simply to the fact
that Makabu and Mchunu are not what one could consider household names. A
further detriment to the potential success of that card is the fact that two
pay-per-view events will take place on February 5th, one week later.
First will be the rescheduled event headlined by Women’s Boxing superstar and multi-division world champion Claressa Shields, who will
defend her Undisputed Middleweight world championship against Ema Kozin in a bout scheduled for ten
rounds in Cardiff, Wales. Some may recall that this fight and its undercard,
which will feature a Super-Middleweight bout between former IBO world champion
Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams, was postponed from its original January 29th
date due to the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) suspending all combat
sports events throughout January in the United Kingdom due to COVID-19 concerns.
If the suspension of events is not extended, this card will cost Boxing fans $29.99,
a much lower and arguably reasonable price point than the norm. It is an event
that will face some competition for buys as later that night former WBA
Welterweight world champion Keith Thurman will return to the ring after a new
two year layoff to face Mario Barrios in a Fox Sports Pay-Per-View main event
promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters for a price
point of $74.95.
It is
important for me to state, despite my ongoing criticism of the pay-per-view
model, that my criticism is not aimed at any of the fighters involved, but
rather the promoters who for whatever reason refuse to see the need to adapt. Although
it should not be viewed as the sole reason for the need to adapt, by those
that I often refer to as “Hold Outs,” we are still in the midst of an ongoing
epidemic and as such there remains uncertainty as to whether whatever is on the
schedule whether those events are pay-per-view offerings or not, will go on as
planned under the current circumstances. Here is a scenario where the Boxing
fan will be asked to pay $154.93 for three separate Boxing cards. When one
considers the amount of Boxing content that is offered on digital subscription-based sports streaming networks such as DAZN and ESPN+ where each offers an annual
subscription plan where the total combined cost for a year’s subscription to both
networks is just shy of $169 per year and keeping in mind that in the case of
ESPN+ they have done pay-per-view Boxing events on an occasional basis with
underwhelming returns, it is not hard to see where the value is for the
consumer.
One should
also keep in mind that promoters, much like the rest of the world have had to
deal with circumstances created by the COVID-19 crisis and while it is also not
hard to understand that promoters want to/need to make a profit, if nothing
else to pay whatever guarantees are made to the fighters that are competing,
the circumstances, as well as the generally better value of the subscription
model should be all the more reason to adapt. Further evidence of the pay-per-view
model being less viable and needing to change can be seen in two recent pay-per-view
offerings, the Jake Paul-Tyron Woodley rematch, which was produced by Showtime
Pay-Per-View on December 18, which at a $60 price point produced just over
65,000 buys. The most recent pay-per-view offering, the Luis Ortiz-Charles
Martin Heavyweight themed card, done by Fox Sports Pay-Per-View, with the
marketing tag of it being a bargain for Boxing fans at $39.99 produced under
25,000 buys according to some estimates.
At the risk
of being repetitive, I ask the promoters who continue to fight against adapting
a simple question. How much evidence does one need? Perhaps instead of
pay-per-view, the revenue that is hoped for from pay-per-view buys can be
achieved by seeking out advertising sponsors and/or investing in marketing
where a network across digital or traditional platforms may be able to see the
viability of paying for rights to stage these cards.
A brief
observation in closing that might give a bit of insight for the reader as to why
I feel as strongly as I do. First it is not merely a matter of saving money for
me personally or consumers as a whole. The fact is, despite the progress networks
like DAZN and ESPN+ have been able to make by proving that there is a new
source of revenue for not just Boxing, but all of sports, which may be even
more beneficial to promoters than the pay-per-view model was in time, Boxing
remains one of the few sports that remains behind a paywall for many
consumers. In comparison, as some readers
know, I am a sports enthusiast and try to watch as much as I can of the sports
I do not cover. Simply put, I’m a sports fan.
This past weekend, I was, like many glued to the National Football
League’s (NFL) Wildcard weekend, which over three days Saturday through Monday consisted
of six games. All six games were scheduled where they would not overlap each
other allowing viewers to consume as much of the games as they wished. I
personally watched all six. Each network involved, advertised the other games
that they would not be carrying on their platform and in general, speaking only
for myself, I did not miss anything from any of the games, though in the
interest of honesty with the reader, I did fall asleep during the Sunday night
game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, but thanks to the
benefits of a DVR, I was able to go back and watch what I missed. My point is,
no such paywall structure is used for major team sports and even though all the
networks, which carried these games and will continue to carry games throughout
the remainder of the NFL Playoffs, though in one way or another are in competition
with each other, all promoted each other’s games. It also goes without saying
that the NFL as well as their television partners make significant revenue from
advertising and sponsorships, which makes the idea of a paywall structure less
viable. More importantly, it allows the sports fan the opportunity to watch the
sport they love regardless of whether they may or may not be able to afford a
premium price.
Now,
obviously I’m not naïve and I know that the cross-promotion these networks did in
promoting each other’s games likely had to do with agreements with the NFL more
than a gesture of helping each other, though I would like to believe in the way
things are currently, that a gesture of good will also played a role in things.
It is hard for me to understand however, why Boxing promoters cannot or will
not see the potential for revenue streams that will replace pay-per-view
revenue, but also allow the sport to be seen by as many eyes as possible
regardless of whether a Boxing fan can afford to pay an often inflated price. Some may suggest that one solution, which may
reduce pay-per-view price points might be to reduce the purses that fighters
are paid.
While it
is indeed true that most fighters on the top level of the sport earn millions
of dollars each time they enter the ring to compete, I am against the idea that
the solution is to reduce how much a fighter can make. The reality is Boxing is
a combat sport and whether some want to believe it or not, fighters risk their
lives each and every time they compete. It is not something to be taken lightly
or treated as a joke. As such, I am and will always be in favor of a fighter
being able to make as much money as they can while they can because you never
know how long a fighter’s career might be.
What I am advocating for beyond wanting to see the paywall structure the
sport has operated under for decades changed or outright done away with in
order to have Boxing seen by as many viewers/eyes as possible is for the promoters
that be in the sport to see the potential revenue that is being left by not
adapting and that there is a way to ensure fighters can make the most they can,
while at the same time making the sport and it’s biggest events accessible to
all. Am I overly optimistic? To be fair, I have been accused of such over the
years, but at the end of the day, I am really someone who bases his views on
facts and evidence, and it is becoming more clear with each passing day that
Boxing and more specifically, the “Hold Outs” need to adapt for the sport to
grow and in order for those “Hold Outs” to not be left behind.
“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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