HBO televised one hell of a fight between Vicious Victor Ortiz and WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto last night. In what may be a lock for fight-of-the year, Ortiz pressed the action to ultimately dethrone the former undefeated champion.Although HBO still continues to bring fans great programs there is no doubt that they are feeling the power of the ?Pacquiao Factor? after losing their bid to broadcast the May 7th, mega fight between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley. Like any good businessman, HBO president Ross Greenburg has assembled his brain trust to come up with a plan to make up for this lose. His plan is to apparently broadcast the pending bout between heavyweights Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye.
Following a decision to pass on the broadcasting rights of Klitschko events, Greenburg told the UK Telegraph that it was down to the paucity of credible American heavyweights.
?’We’re out of the heavyweight division. There isn’t any interest in the US and no one besides Haye to challenge the Klitschkos.?
While the popularity of the American heavyweight division has taken a nosedive during the past ten years, many American and British boxers have certainty benefited from the broadcasting power of HBO. Greenburg is now revisiting the heavy guys while assembling a bid for a summers eve fight between Haye and Wlad.
“We obviously have put together a bid, we’re very interested in that fight. We think it’s a hugely significant heavyweight fight that would grab a lot of attention and we’re very interested in it. More importantly, I think the American public will be interested in it.” Greenburg said.
Are Americans really interested in this fight? Forget interest, ask any general American outside the reach of boxing fans who David Haye is and the answer will most likely be, ?who??
It?s certainly not a bad thing for HBO to broadcast this fight. My personal request to Greenberg is to go for it and put that powerful brain trust to work like HBO has done with so many of it?s programs both inside and outside of boxing. Sell the heavyweight division to America and help create more stars that can bring the division back to its glory days. You sold the American public on American vampires in Louisiana (True Blood) and tickled the word with polygamy (Big Love). There is no reason why HBO can?t market America?s great pastime in heavyweight boxing. The blueprint has changed and America isn?t necessarily buying the best products on the shelf (Jersey Shore) but they are buying. Big time. I have watched as many boring UFC fights as Boxing matches yet the UFC thrives. Some Americans can?t even answer the question as to why they watch UFC. Some even say because boxing is dead and MMA is more exciting. The overall excitement factor of MMA is questionable and on the promotional side of boxing, things are on bed rest for the most part. The difference is in the delivery. Market big, create stars with the talents we have and for god sakes show some ring card girls now and then (UFC).
