There was a report Friday that HBO Sports is making a change, one that could have ramifications with the network and boxing coverage. Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports reportedly is leaving on his own will, though there has been no definite word as to the validity of the report.
Though sources have said, in particular the past few weeks, that Greenburg was looking to go in another direction. It is a decision that Greenburg has made and not a network move, in other words nothing should be made of HBO wanting to part ways with Greenburg. Though there can be a couple of factors that could lead one to believe that here has been some unhappiness regarding the direction of HBO Boxing.
And it could be attributed to HBO losing two of the biggest names in the sport, that being Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, to Showtime. Known more as HBO Pay-Per-View fighters, Pacquiao and Cotto had their latest title defenses on Showtime PPV, the CBS owned subsidiary. There has been no exclusive deal signed by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Showtime, as to Pacquiao and Cotto future bouts on Showtime PPV, but it is easy to understand, if this report is indeed valid, as to why HBO would want to part ways with Greenburg.
Both Pacquiao and Cotto have become the hottest PPV commodities in the sport, taking that title from former champion Oscar De la Hoya, the one-time king of PPV fights on HBO Sports. Golden Boy Promotions, headed by De La Hoya and CEO Richard Schaefer have their core of superstars, but you can?t beat Pacquiao or Cotto, unless we are talking about Floyd Mayweather Jr. who is scheduled to meet Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas on September 17th , televised on HBO Pay-Per-View.
Guarantee this. If indeed Greenburg is out the door by Monday, and if Pacquiao and Mayweather ever get their names on a contract, Showtime is the winner and will get PPV distribution rights to televise the fight. Speculation of course, because as of now the Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez title fight of November 12th remains in the balance as to who gets the rights, HBO or Showtime? All speculation, but something says Greenburg, employed at HBO the past 11 years is staying put?.
Pawel ?Raging Bull? Wolak and Delvin Rodriguez had what could be considered a fight of the year candidate on ESPN Friday Night Fights at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. The 10-round majority draw certainly deserves that consideration and fight fans deserve to see a return bout between the two junior middleweights.
Rodriguez (25-5-3, 14 KO?s) back in the ring after a year is used to unjust decisions, but the judges at ringside got this one correct. And on the heels of a stinker last weekend in Atlantic City, the HBO televised fight with Paul Williams and Erislandy Lara with a decision the judges got wrong, boxing did not need to afford another bad decision.
Wolak fought like a warrior with a nasty swelling above his right eye, and Rodriguez scored points with constant counters at Wolak. There was no immediate word about a return bout, though ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas was pushing for one as the two fighters came to ringside for a post-fight interview. Wolak said he was returning home to Poland to mend his wounds, though there nothing to be ashamed of because the Top rank fighter is a contender and in the mix despite the draw.
Boxing got what it deserved Friday night. An exciting main event and a decision the judges got right. And the three judges should be commended for not putting us through another debacle. Julie Lederman had it 95-95, Steve Weisfeld 95-95, but Tom Schreck 97-93, which could be questioned. Overall, though a good outcome and credit has to go to the New York State Athletic Commission.
Because they train and employ ringside judges better than any of the other athletic commission or control boards that oversee boxing in the states. And a lot of that credit should be attributed to former NYSAC head Ron Scott Stevens who implemented many of the seminars and tutorials for prospective and current ringside judges licensed to work at fights in New York State?
Oops, how could Brian Kenny, studio host of ESPN Friday Night Fights make a blunder with the name Aaron Davis? It was corrected when Dan Rafael, ESPN boxing writer offered his take on the Williams-Lara decision that resulted in indefinite suspension of the judges who scored the fight last week.
Kenny, an astute observer of boxing referred to New Jersey State Athletic Control Board head Aaron Davis as the former welterweight champion. Yeah, same name can be confusing at times but Davis, owner of a boxing gym in the Bronx, was a former WBA welterweight champion. The Davis who heads the commission in New Jersey never had any ring experience and is a political appointee. But for the Aaron Davis of the Bronx, it is ironic because he has at times looked into serving a role as an inspector or becoming a member of the New York State Athletic Commission?
Fitting tribute Friday night to the late Nick Charles, a toll of the bell on the 10th anniversary telecast of ShowBox?.But please boxing fans, have some respect. To those who can?t keep their mouths shut when paying respect to someone we have lost in the boxing community, well leave the room!
