Gary Russell Jr. proved on Saturday in the opener of HBO?s doubleheader from Biloxi, Miss., why so many believe he?s the top prospect in boxing. Russell dominated Leonilo Miranda, using his blazing hand speed to win all eight rounds on two of the three judges? cards and seven of the eight on the other.
But the problem with the scenario is that HBO was showing an eight-round fight at all. Subscribers pay to get HBO as a premium service and, thus, ought to be treated with more respect than being shown eight-rounders.
The bout was originally scheduled to go 10 rounds, but was cut to eight, according to HBO?s commentators on Saturday, at the request of Russell manager Al Haymon because of a hand injury.
Haymon handles business affairs for Floyd Mayweather Jr., which, as a result, gives him great influence. But there has to be someone at HBO with the gravitas to say no. Russell, who is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, was inserted onto the card on Saturday, which featured the Haymon-managed Andre Berto against Jan Zaveck in the main event, without the knowledge of the card?s promoter, Lou DiBella.
DiBella found out from a reporter that Russell would be fighting on his card.
A boxing source said Michael Lombardo, HBO?s director of programming and the interim head of HBO Sports, is simply clearing out all the unacceptable deals that were made by the previous regime, which was led by Ross Greenburg. Greenburg announced his resignation in July.
It?s time that Lombardo makes a shift in the way business is done at HBO Sports. It shouldn?t matter who manages, or who promotes, a fighter. What should matter is if the fight will be entertaining. HBO needs a lot more TV-friendly fights as opposed to manager-friendly bouts.
