This week we're going to delve into what could possibly make Mayweather-Pacquiao even more interesting.
It appears all but certain that on March 13, 2010 Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior will meet at 147 pounds, with a 50/50 split of the purse in what ultimately has the chance to be the single biggest boxing event in decades. The only problem with the proposed Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown may be that the fight is too much of a good thing. There isn't a fight fan in the world who will miss Pacquiao-Mayweather, it won't matter that it'll cost us $65 dollars in HD, or that tickets to the live fight (regardless of where it's held) will be astronomical, because this will be the fight of the millennium (not a huge bragging point in 2010 but still), and no boxing fan will miss out. Which raises what I am calling "the fear" and "the fear" is that all parties involved know they've got a cash cow on their hands with the main event, so us fans who pride ourselves on watching the entire fight card will be left with an underwhelming bunch of prospects, never-was fighters and nobodies killing time before Pacquiao and Mayweather take center stage.
The Way I See It: Promoters love to take advantage of the consumer. This isn't something that is sacred to boxing – it happens throughout all of our society. If someone can charge (and get) a price for something then they're not about to provide that same service for free (or better). It just so happens though that I'm not the "everything else" columnist for 411mania.com I'm a boxing columnist so that's the angle I take on this situation.
One of the worst examples of this problem is the "major" boxing pay per view, and particularly the Manny Pacquiao headlined boxing pay per view. When Pacquioa's last fight was announced against Miguel Cotto everyone knew that the main event was going to be a HUGE draw for boxing fans. The undercard was really an after thought, but for people paying upwards of $65 bucks for the event it'd be nice to have a reason to care about what was happening before midnight on the east coast. Bob Arum, the top dog at Top Rank promised everyone a stacked undercard full of great fights that could all challenge the main event for fight of the night. Edwin Valero and Humberto Soto was floated out there for a long time – a great fight that I think everyone in the boxing community would have loved to see, unfortunately due to visa issues that fight never happened. Did Top Rank replace that highly anticipated fight with another solid fight for the undercard?
Nope.
Instead Bob Arum just went along like nothing happened, gave us the pre-requisite three match undercard and Manny Pacquiao main event, took our money and whistled to the bank. Of course there are a lot of people who don't mind plucking down $65 for a Pacquiao pay per view because hell you get to see Manny Pacquiao, but that's not really the point. The fact is that for $65 you received from Bob Arum, a cut shortened meaningless fight that had the potential to be great, a blown up fighter who didn't care defending his belt against a guy who did all he could to salvage the night, and a completely useless son of a legend who looked completely pedestrian in beating a guy who was only brought to the ring to eat a loss. Not exactly the night of spectacular entertainment that Bob Arum had promised us when the Pacquiao-Cotto ordeal was announced.
Now I don't mean to pick on Bob Arum – hell ever since Don King was promoting Mike Tyson title fights there hasn't been much to speak of in terms of "value" for your dollar. The nights of four or five (meaningful) championship fights on one pay per view card are long gone and I understand that. One of my favorite stories to hear from the older boxing writers at ringside is how they'd go to cover Don King promoted events and knows that the Main Event was scheduled for 11 PM/ET but they'd be at the casino before noon. King would have spreads for all meals for the writers because they'd be at the venue all day covering fights – and meaningful fights wouldn't even make the broadcast because the shows were so packed.
Now much of that had to do with the fact that boxing wasn't available in as many places, to as many people, or on as many networks as it is today. HBO, Showtime, ESPN, Versus, and a boatload of international and internet media companies exist now to broadcast fights so a promoter like Bob Arum doesn't have to use his one or two pay per views per year to showcase his entire roster of talent. Arum does this better then anyone with his Latin Fury and Island Warrior pay per views that can be viewed online or through some cable providers.
Think about the fighters who have appeared on one of those "smaller" Top Rank pay per views in recent months – Juan Manual Lopez, Youriokis Gamboa, John Duddy, Brian Viloria, Nonito Donaire and the list goes on and on, now if you threw all of those guys on the undercard of Pacquiao-Cotto or Pacquiao-Mayweather you'd be talking about one of the most stacked shows imaginable today. But why do that when you can throw a bunch of lesser talents onto the Pacquiao undercard and still charge $65, while the rest of those guys are bringing in thirty bucks a pop for their own minor headline deals.
I realize this column seems to pinpoint Top Rank alone but the fact is they just happen to be the most recent company to receive a hefty payment from yours truly – and on top of that I thought the undercard for Mayweather-Marquez was far superior to that of the Pacquiao-Cotto card so Golden Boy skates on this round (though they're not blameless). Honestly I don't even blame Top Rank – they're a business, and it's the job of Bob Arum and those in the know to make sure that they make as much money as possible. They've figured out a great way to increase their revenue, while keeping all of their fighters busy. Hell I would love for my local promoter Jimmy Burchfield to take a more pro-active approach with his own fights to get his fighters on tape, and on the internet – something that Arum excels at, which only helps his fighters down the road by giving them much needed exposure. Let's face it – if Brian Viloria is going to fight in Hawaii wouldn't you rather pay $30 to watch him then save that thirty bucks and find out what happened on 411mania.com the next day?
But the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is a different can of worms because these two companies could put ZERO effort into an undercard and still charge whatever they want for admission. Honestly if you found out Evander Holyfield – Nicolai Valuev II was happening as the only televised undercard fight on the Pacquiao-Mayweather card would you even flinch when pressing purchase on your TV remote? I didn't think so.
Perhaps I can offer a different view on the tried and true method of giving us one great main event supported by which ever "prospect" happens to be ready for a fight. What if the entire night was turned into a Top Rank v. Golden Boy event? Just let the idea sink in for a second and then we'll proceed…
Ready?
Think about the possibilities if Golden Boy and Top Rank took some of their top talent, threw them in the ring against one another in a tournament format with the winning side getting some sort of trinket/award/monetary payment or something of that effect. You don't think Bob Arum would love being handed a trophy while Oscar De La Hoya stood dejected off to the side? If boxing is driven by ego – then this would open the possibility of the biggest ego trip in boxing history (maybe a slight indulgence). Or perhaps each fighter on the undercard takes a 40/40 split with an extra 10 going to the winning fighter, and the total amount left over going to the winning side – you don't think that would be interesting?
To make a tournament like this somewhat appealing there would have to be four undercard fights with the main event, and just so that the tournament idea doesn't go out the window before the main attraction we make the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight worth three points, that way unless the undercard gets swept by one side or the other both sides still have a chance at the finale. You also have to take into consideration certain fighters not being available for either side – essentially anyone who has fought in the last week or will fight at any point moving forward, we want everyone involved to have a full training camp before being on the undercard here so that eliminates a few guys right off the bat. The other problem is that matching up Golden Boy and Top Rank fighters isn't easy just based on the weight classes that seem to dominate each camp, however I have faith that if there is enough money involved someone like Vivian Harris wouldn't mind moving up a couple pounds to take on Joshua Clottey for the welterweight title on the Pacquiao – Mayweather undercard? How about Robert Guerrero putting on a couple pounds (which he could afford to do) and fighting David Diaz at lightweight?
The possibilities are endless – and it's not out of the question. Hell if the promoters need more incentive would you be willing to pay $70 for a fight card that featured the best of the best that both promotional companies had to offer? I'm giddy about the idea and nobody else has even heard it yet, how excited would you be for "The Fight" between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior being built up by "The Clash" of GBP and Top Rank?
Plus with the brilliance of Top Rank in televising the non-PPV undercard you could even let some of the younger, rawer talent fight on the same card without being a part of the tournament although I have to say that the idea of Matt Korobov and Craig McEwan fighting on the same card does make me a bit excited.
The point is this – why settle for a great main event ONLY, when the possibilities are there to give us an amazing night of boxing that would go down in history as one of the best nights of boxing ever put together? Sure we're all going to pay for Mayweather – Pacquiao, and we're all going to love the fight and there will be parties, gatherings and all the hoopla that the biggest fight possible in boxing today brings with it – but it could be so much more, and that's what I have hope for – that someday we're going to get the most amazing main event, with the best possible undercard all for my paycheck. One is nice, but the other would be amazing.
The Way I See Bullet Points
- So last week (11/27 to be exact) Delvin Rodriguez went to Poland for an IBF welterweight title eliminator with Rafael Jackiewicz and lost a unanimous decision by scores of 116-112, 115-112, and 114-112. According to Joe DeGuardia who promotes Rodriguez the decision was another in a long line of terrible decisions this year. "After watching the fight we believe it is crystal clear that anyone who watches this fight knows who the winner truly is," said DeGuardia. Apparently Star Boxing has sent a tape of the fight to the IBF in the hopes that a rematch will be awarded to Rodriguez who is looking for another date with IBF welterweight champion Issac Hlatshwayo. The interesting thing to note is that this would be the second bad decision for Rodriguez in three fights as his first fight with Hlatshwayo in South Africa was called a draw when most people believed Rodriguez to have won handily (in the rematch Hlatshwayo outperformed Rodriguez – at least on my scorecard). It'll be interesting to see what the IBF does here, and while I don't think it'll be a big ratings grab a Hlatshwayo-Rodriguez III wouldn't be a terrible fight considering few people are lining up to fight the IBF welterweight champion anyways.
- IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green seems hell bent on cleaning out the Legends Division in boxing as he has followed up his first round destruction of Roy Jones Jr. by calling out Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins. Apparently Green left a voicemail for Bernard Hopkins that said "Bernard you've said a lot of things, mate. You're a legend, now let's get it on. Let's do it!" It seems as if Green would want the fight to take place in Australia – which almost completely rules out Hopkins who I can't imagine has any interest in leaving the U.S. to fight anyone. However, it does give Hopkins another fight to toss around while he continues to avoid the only fight that anyone wants to see him in which would be against Chad Dawson.
- From the "Oh My God Shut Up" department comes news that David Haye, the WBA world heavyweight champion is once again attacking the Klitschkos. This time it's Vitali who you may recall signed on for a fight with the "Hayemaker" only to have the former cruiserweight king bow out of the fight to take the much easier (and much less appealing to watch) Nicolai Valuev fight. Haye is now telling everyone that Vitali should forget about voluntary contenders and unify the heavyweight division by fighting Haye. Haye has an obvious gift of gab of course his trash talking this time around is almost too stupid to comprehend. He has gone on record as saying that this weekend's Kevin Johnson – Vitali Klitschko title fight is "one of the most unappealing heavyweight title fights for awhile" which I guess is true if you consider November as awhile because this weekend's title fight is still far more appealing then the horrendous Valuev-Haye fight from early November. Haye says that he wants to "knock out Wladimir and Vitali, and I don't care what order they fall in." Once again an amazing statement from a man who backed out of fights with both of the Klitschko brothers in the last year. Here's hoping that neither of the Klitschko's take the bait this time around and let Haye focus on his matchup with John Ruiz in early 2010.
- I can't be the only one who is very intrigued by Amir Khan after his first round destruction of Dmitry Salita last weekend right? After his loss to Prescott I thought Khan would be all done but every time he gets in the ring now he is more impressive then the last time I saw him. I appreciate that Freddie Roach still insists that his prized pupil Manny Pacquiao is twice as good as Amir Khan, but being two times worse then possibly one of the 10 best boxers of all time still makes you a Top 50 fighter historically right? I mean is it out of the question that Amir Khan (who is still pretty young) can't come to America and make a big splash in the coming years? I think 2010 could be a very big year for Khan who seems to have the type of hand speed that will give absolutely everyone who steps in the ring with him problems.
- Good news for "Hammerin'" Hank Lundy one of my favorite local area fighters (he fights out of Philadelphia) who has signed on with Cameron Dunkin to help manage the unbeaten (16-0-1, 10 KO's) junior welterweights career heading into 2010. Lundy is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports Inc. and I've had a chance to speak to him on a couple of different occasions, he's a very interesting guy who has a great sense of humor and is supremely confident. He had a real solid 2009 but I anticipate even bigger things from him in 2010.
- One more local item I'm really excited for Jason "Big Six" Estrada who will be taking on Tomasz Adamek at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ February 6, 2010. I know not many people know Estrada, but he was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing team and should prove to be a very good challenge for "Goral." While Adamek is obviously the better boxer, Estrada is a slick heavyweight who has a lot of size, but can also throw about sixty punches a round and has never been off his feet as a professional. I think it should be a really good fight and if I can find a way down to Newark that weekend I hope to be in attendance to see the Providence heavyweight take on the Ring magazine's cruiserweight champion.
The Way I See The Week Ahead
Friday, December 11, 2009
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Title: Jean Pascal's Light Heavyweight Championship
- Jean Pascal (22-1-0, 15 KO's) v. Adrian Diaconu (26-1-0, 15 KO's)
This should be called the – who wants to fight Chad Dawson Bowl because I have a strong feeling that the winner of this bout will be taking on "Bad" Chad in early/mid 2010. The first meeting of these guys should get more hype as Fight of the Year but it happened during a weird time (June), and it happened in Canada, was on Versus, and was the same night as a pretty good Friday Night Fights if I remember correctly. Pascal is coming off a 10th round TKO over Silvio Branco in September while Diaconu has basically just been bidding his time until the rematch. I think Diaconu is in trouble here because I think Pascal is just too good – though the first fight was very close, I'm not sure we'll get the same thing here.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Location: Chicago, Illinois
TV: HBO
- Juan Diaz (35-2-0, 17 KO's) v. Paulie Malignaggi (26-3-0, 5 KO's)
- Victor Ortiz (23-2-1, 18 KO's) v. Antonio Diaz (46-5-1, 29 KO's)
This should be a decently entertaining evening of fights – and I'm glad that Paulie got the rematch that he wanted, on a neutral court so to speak as he wished. Now the key will be whether or not Malignaggi can put together another good performance against Juan Diaz so that he doesn't come off looking bad – by coming out and getting beat handily. I always fear for guys who get bad decision loses (or draws) who want the return engagement and then lose the second time out. I had Paulie winning the first fight handily, and I know I'm not alone there but Juan Diaz is no slouch and he'll be fighting for his life this weekend because nobody wants to go 0-fer the year.
Saturday December 12, 2009
Location: Bern, Switzerland
TV: HBO (Tape Delayed)
Title: WBC World Heavyweight Championship
- Vitali Klitschko (38-2-0, 37 KO's) v. Kevin Johnson (21-0-0, 8 KO's)
Kevin Johnson is one of the biggest underdogs that I've seen all year heading into this fight. I'm not kidding he's trending in Vegas somewhere around a 10 to 1 underdog, and honestly that's probably not even high enough. Johnson is an interesting heavyweight because he's got good hands, and he moves well – the problem is that he's never fought anyone and he has little power. Vitali Klitschko has fought everyone, has tremendous power and is fighting at the highest level imaginable for a heavyweight. The round prop for this fight is +9.5 and I'd take the under and feel confident heading into Saturday.
Saturday December 12, 2009
Location: Rancho Mirage, California
TV: Showtime (TV PICK OF THE WEEK)
Title: WBO Junior Welterweight Title
- Timothy Bradley (25-0-0, 12 KO's) v. Lamont Peterson (27-0-0, 13 KO's)
- Vic Darchinyan (32-2-1, 26 KO's) v. Tomas Rojas (31-11-2, 22 KO's)
Ladies and gentlemen the best 140 pounder in the world that absolutely nobody is talking about. Bradley's win over Nate Campbell was a bit "contentious" but that had more to do with Campbell then with Bradley. I'm also glad that Bradley didn't go for a rematch with Campbell which wouldn't have done his career any favors. Right now I'd say Bradley is the best 140 pounder in the world (assuming Pacquiao remains at 147) and while I think Lamont Peterson is a VERY real threat to Bradley's perfect record at the end of 12 rounds I think he'll have a unanimous decision under his belt. I'm just throwing this out there to Gary Shaw and whoever else is listening – but Timothy Bradley-Amir Khan is a fight that needs to happen in 2010.
As for the Darchinyan fight it'll be interesting to see how he bounces back after the tough loss to Joseph Agbeko earlier this year. Agbeko bounced back with a Fight of the Year candidate loss on Halloween, and I think Darchinyan will come back very strong here with a pretty convincing win over Tomas Rojas.
Source: 411mania.com
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