SHO's Espinoza Praises Guerrero, Talks PPV Buys

By Mike Coppinger

Showtime Sports Executive Vice President Stephen Espinoza is pleased with his recent string of fights and believes that Saturday night fans will be in for another great one. He feels Guerrero will surprise boxing people and fans alike.

“I think when you have a young, hungry champion who has faced adversity and has shown the ability to adapt and change styles, I don’t think there’s going to be a situation on Saturday that Robert Guerrero is not going to be prepared to handle," said Espinoza. … "He’s a guy that people tend to underestimate a little bit and I don’t think it’s warranted.”

Espinoza thinks that win, lose or draw, Guerrero can become a star after Saturday night's Showtime PPV.

"One benefit of fighting Floyd is you’re on a stage unlike any other," Espinoza remarked.  "I think he’s received a lot of benefit just from sharing the spotlight with Floyd."He's gotten a lot of exposure. People will respond to his humble approach and Christian values.

So how does Espinoza see the fight doing in terms of PPV buys?

"I'm comfortable with where we are now," says Espinoza. "There is a bit of a pent up demand for Mayweather since he hasn't been active for a year. ... And we have four really compelling matchups. It's still early but I'm very comfortable with where things are tracking."

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