Upset that HBO hasn?t offered him a scheduling date for a proposed doubleheader involving junior welterweight titleholder Viktor Postol and WBO featherweight titlist Vasyl Lomachenko in separate fights, Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum said he?s spoken to Showtime in an attempt to attain broadcasting after describing HBO?s response as lukewarm.
The comment was notable because of Arum?s close relationship to HBO in recent years as his promotional firm has served as a conduit of talent for the network. ?You say I?m trying to get it on HBO but HBO is not the only fish in the sea,? Arum told reporters on Thursday. ?I want to get that fight on. I want to get that fight shown. And I?m sure I will be able to.?
The 84-year-old Arum said he?s had ?discussions? with Showtime already. At the same time, he?s also still in talks with HBO to put the doubleheader, that could match Lomachenko against Nicholas Walters, on the network, he later said. ?We have already had a conversation,? Arum said of Showtime. ?I think people at CBS and Showtime realize that they want to get the best possible programming and to get that they have to reach out to all promoters.?
Asked if he was trying to send a message to HBO that he was more than willing to deal with rival Showtime if necessary, Arum responded, ?I think I?ve already sent that message.? HBO boxing chief Peter Nelson declined comment on Thursday.
When asked for comment to confirm the talks with Arum, Showtime released a statement, attributed to boxing chief Stephen Espinoza, saying, ?As we?ve said many times, Showtime is in the business of putting on the best boxing on television. Our door is open to all promoters. It always has been.?
