By G. Leon
Has HBO Lowered It's Standards?


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Was I the only person wondering why HBO commentators Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant and Roy Jones Jr. were severely overhyping several of the opponents on last weekend's HBO PPV telecast? It seems as though, Lamps, Larry and RJ need to watch Showtime a bit more often. I mean, when did beating Randall Bailey mean so much? What does Cotto beating Bailey prove? It certainly doesn't prove that Cotto is ready for the big time as others have suggested. Fact is, since Lovemore N'Dou gave him all he could handle, it seems his level of opposition has declined.

Randall Bailey easily lost one lackluster of a fight to DeMarcus "Chop-Chop" Corley and a closer decision to unbeaten welterweight Ishe "Sugar Shay" Smith, on SHOWTIME. A few months prior to the first of his two losses on Showtime, a single body shot from Diosbelys Hurtado stopped him on the undercard of Trinidad-Cherifi, which was televised by HBO World Championship Boxing

Don't get me wrong Bailey is a solid opponent for an upcoming prospect like Cotto, and it must be said Top Rank has done one hell of a job promoting and matching him, but HBO's commentators shouldn't try to miseducate its viewers by describing Bailey as dangerous, something he hasn't been in many moons.

Then there's Ranchero Ramirez, who was terribly outclassed (KO 4) by Acelino Freitas on SHOWTIME in 2003. The last two times I saw Carlos Navarro on television were on SHOWTIME, he escaped with a draw in one bout, and was brutally knocked out by Nate Campbell in five rounds in the other.

I guess we'll give HBO a pass on their evident lack of subs to Showtime with regards to Agapito Sanchez. You see, in Sanchez's last outing he took a life altering beating from Joan Guzman, on HBO Latino.

And we don't need to speak with an HBO suit to know that they weren't the "promoter" of the show, but the bottom line is a network as prestigious as HBO shouldn't affiliate itself with such garbage.

Most of us already recycle our garbage once a week, there's no need to double that dosage on Saturday nights.

Unfortunatley, with the exception of Tarver-Johnson on Saturday night, garbage seems to be what the so called, "Heart And Soul Of Boxing" has on tap.

On January 22, there's Floyd Mayweather Jr. vesus Henry Bruseles. Evidently HBO is paying more attention to Telefutura than Showtime. The only farce worse than HBO airing this, is the fact that the fight will take place for the All African title. Last we checked, Bruseles was Puerto Rican.

And did you know that HBO is paying MUCH more for this mismatch than Showtime is willing to pay for Corrales-Castillo, a real fight?

On January 29, Arturo Gatti takes on Jesse James Leija, in what could be an exciting fight, but anything but a dominating performance by Gatti would prove Gatti does not belong among the ELITE junior welterweights in the world.

A competitive fight would show me that Main Events was very careful as they manufactured Gatti's championship at the right time, when Gianluca Branco would be across the ring from him.

Funny, HBO WOULD NOT approve Leija for Mayweather earlier this year, but then after he gets the best of Franciso Bojado, he's suddenly good enough to be an opponent for Arturo Gatti.

Too bad things never panned out so well for Juan Carlos Rubio after he beat Bojado.

HBO's Jan. 29 undercard, which appears to be Kassim Ouma (only seen on Showtime thus far) versus Kofi Jantuah, is a far more intriguing match-up to me, though it should be noted that the only reason that fight is happening is because Vivian Harris turned down $200,000 to fight Muhammad Abdullaev. who lost to Clottey, who lost to Bojado, who lost to Leija, who's fighting Gatti.

HBO ought to be ashamed, after Tarver-Johnson, the next marquee main event that represents what world championship boxing is all about comes on February 5 when Undisputed welterweight champion Cory Spinks and Zab Judah do battle....ON SHOWTIME.

Perhaps the facts expressed in this piece, say something about the quality of the boxing minds at HBO these days.

UM, Pacquiao vs JMM II feb 26. HBO rules showtime.

Why The Hell Is Spinks/judah On Showtime.

Why The Hell Is Spinks/judah On Showtime.


probably because of spinks

probably because of spinks
I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT FIGHT NOW I CANT WATCH IT. :(

becuz both spinks and judah are both kings
and more often den not those are the awful kingvision fights

Greg is such a ****ing dumbass its not even funny. How anyone can read one of his articles and not fall out laughing is beyond me.

HBO is hands down HANDS DOWN the best boxing network on the planet.

Is he actually trying to compare what network has better fights?

I find it funny as hell he brought up some bad matchup's but seemed to leave out the great ones HBO has had during the year. Has Showtime done anything on the level of DLH/Hopkins?, Tito/Mayorga?, Morales/MAB 3?, Pac/JMM?, Winky/Shane?

Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship of the world is gonna be on?...you guessed it HBO(Tarver/Johnson).

Undisputed Featherweight Championship of the World is gonna be on?...you guessed it HBO(Pac/JMM 2).

Undisputed Middlewight Championship of the World gonna be on?...you guessed it HBO(Hopkins/Eastman).

The dominate Heavyweight on the planet fights on?...you guessed it HBO.

The two best prospects in the world Miguell Cotto and Jermain Taylor fight on what network?...you guessed it HBO.

The two biggest draws in boxing outside of the heavyweight division DLH and Tito fight on what network?...you guessed it HBO.

Every single Ring Magazine Fight Of the Year outside of one(Ward/Burton ESPN) from 1997 to now happend on what network?...you guessed it HBO.

G Leon is the biggest kissass in the boxing world, I wouldn't doubt that he has some new connection over at Showtime cause no one in the boxing world who doesn't have an agenda will tell you Showtime is or has ever been better than HBO.

just laughable.

G Leon is the biggest kissass in the boxing world, I wouldn't doubt that he has some new connection over at Showtime cause no one in the boxing world who doesn't have an agenda will tell you Showtime is or has ever been better than HBO.

just laughable.

Right...Another stupid article by G Leon. :cool:

Right...Another stupid article by G Leon. :cool:


are you actually agreeing with this article?

are you actually agreeing with this article?

NO...like I said "another stupid article by G Leon" :rolleyes:

NO...like I said "another stupid article by G Leon" :rolleyes:


My bad.

I mistook your post for sarcasm.

It was sarcasm

Greg is such a ****ing dumbass its not even funny. How anyone can read one of his articles and not fall out laughing is beyond me.

HBO is hands down HANDS DOWN the best boxing network on the planet.

Is he actually trying to compare what network has better fights?

I find it funny as hell he brought up some bad matchup's but seemed to leave out the great ones HBO has had during the year. Has Showtime done anything on the level of DLH/Hopkins?, Tito/Mayorga?, Morales/MAB 3?, Pac/JMM?, Winky/Shane?

Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship of the world is gonna be on?...you guessed it HBO(Tarver/Johnson).

Undisputed Featherweight Championship of the World is gonna be on?...you guessed it HBO(Pac/JMM 2).

Undisputed Middlewight Championship of the World gonna be on?...you guessed it HBO(Hopkins/Eastman).

The dominate Heavyweight on the planet fights on?...you guessed it HBO.

The two best prospects in the world Miguell Cotto and Jermain Taylor fight on what network?...you guessed it HBO.

The two biggest draws in boxing outside of the heavyweight division DLH and Tito fight on what network?...you guessed it HBO.

Every single Ring Magazine Fight Of the Year outside of one(Ward/Burton ESPN) from 1997 to now happend on what network?...you guessed it HBO.

G Leon is the biggest kissass in the boxing world, I wouldn't doubt that he has some new connection over at Showtime cause no one in the boxing world who doesn't have an agenda will tell you Showtime is or has ever been better than HBO.

just laughable.
You have to see this for what it is. G. Leon is brilliant in his timing for this article. He is criticizing HBO for not making better match-ups. While the showtime anouncers blow and the fights usually aren't of the stature of those on HBO, they still have better match-ups (meaning competitive fights).

How is Gatti - Leija competitive? How is Mayweather - Bruseles competitive? How was Navarro - Sanchez competitive? The fact is that they weren't/aren't. He is calling for HBO to do better match-ups like Mayweather - Harris/Gatti, for example, instead of Leija (a gatekeeper at best) and Bruseles (a journeyman). Contrast these upcoming fights with some from Showtime: Lacy/Sheika, Jose Luis Castillo/Casamayor, Tszyu/Mitchell, and Corrales/Freitas. Look at the fight they have this Friday: Ebo Elder vs. Courtney Burton. Yes, Burton just got a gift (to put it lightly) against Augustus but this style match-up is great and will make for an exciting fight. I wish HBO would make match-ups like these.

Leon is probably in the middle of lobbying for an interview with a showtime fighter or something.
"It's not what you know, it's whose ASS you kiss"

WTF,is this a joke?

G Leon and the term "Brilliant" should never be used together. Im sorry but to even suggest Showtime has better fights and more competative matchups is a joke.

Look at the upcoming schedule for HBO

JJM/Pac 2 the two best Featherweights on the planet

Tarver/Johnson the two best Lightheavyweights on the planet

Hopkins/Eastman

Tito/Sturm

I dare you to show me anything Showtime has lined up that can compete with that. I flat out dare you.

Yes Tszyu/Mitchell was good, but what about Mitchell vs guys like Bernard Harris, Frank Houghtaling, Carlos Wilfredo Vilches, Michael Stewart and Moises Pedroza that Showtime has been showing over the last few years?

Yes Spinks/Judah is coming up, but I find it funny when praising Showtime he leaves out Spinks vs Miguel Ángel González from a few months back one of the worst mismatches in recent memory.

Lets not forget about the undercard for that fight that featured Lamon Brewster vs Kali Mehann.

Yes Corrales/Frietas was good, but what about all the crap fights they telavised from Frietas before that? you just gonna leave that out?

please keep that joke of a writer and webmasters stuff to his own site.

You have to see this for what it is. G. Leon is brilliant in his timing for this article. He is criticizing HBO for not making better match-ups. While the showtime anouncers blow and the fights usually aren't of the stature of those on HBO, they still have better match-ups (meaning competitive fights).

How is Gatti - Leija competitive? How is Mayweather - Bruseles competitive? How was Navarro - Sanchez competitive? The fact is that they weren't/aren't. He is calling for HBO to do better match-ups like Mayweather - Harris/Gatti, for example, instead of Leija (a gatekeeper at best) and Bruseles (a journeyman). Contrast these upcoming fights with some from Showtime: Lacy/Sheika, Jose Luis Castillo/Casamayor, Tszyu/Mitchell, and Corrales/Freitas. Look at the fight they have this Friday: Ebo Elder vs. Courtney Burton. Yes, Burton just got a gift (to put it lightly) against Augustus but this style match-up is great and will make for an exciting fight. I wish HBO would make match-ups like these.
funny how u mention that they are putting mayweather with brussles a journey men
then u go and brag about lacy vs sheika
what the hell do u think sheika is?
a prospect?

so just goes to show u, cuz appearently u enjoyed that fight
just becuz a fighter is a journeymen it doesnt mean a fight wont be good

and how you even dare suggest Burton vs anybody at this point is a good matchup is beyond me considering Burton has been flat out DESTROYED his last two times out.

and Lacy/Shieka was not a competative matchup on paper that was a suppossed to be nothing more than a showcase for Lacy

I think the point he's trying to make is that the FREE fights on Showtime, while they have lesser-known fighters, are by and large more exciting and competitive than the snorefests that HBO has been having on PPV.

Yes, there have been a few good ones this past year, but there are a lot more boring ones than interesting.

it comes down to what you want to watch. major fighters who alot of the time are protected or good fighters in competitive fights. some HBO fights are good matchups (pac/jmm, mab/morales for instance) but some just take the piss, i mean what did mosley do to deserve a second fight with winky when a far better fighter (kassim ouma), who is no1 contender, kicks his heels?. what did de la hoya do to deserve his shot at hopkins, lose his last 2? anybody who knows boxing could have told you hopkins would win. showtime and espn might not have the major stars but they do show good matchups and don't rip people off charging ppv for second rate fights.

The author of the article is correct about THIS PARTICULAR CARD. The last time I saw both Ramirez and Bailey, they were losing on ShoBox, hardly an endorsement for HBO PPV.

Overall, HBO is a better boxing network but Showtime made tremendous strides in 2004, with Freitas-Corrales and all Lacy's fights, Tszyu's return, Castill-Casamayor, Corrales-Casamoyor II, Tyson's return, and an effort to get a "big" card at the first of every month.

HBO's still got the big names, but when DLH, Gatti, Roy leave, I wonder if Showtime will have gotten big enough to be paying some big bucks to keep some of this talent from jumping ship.

HBO showed a card featuring Rocky Juarez, Kermit Cintron, and Juan Diaz this year - all ShoBox alums. And Acelino Freitas next fights for HBO, too.

funny how u mention that they are putting mayweather with brussles a journey men
then u go and brag about lacy vs sheika
what the hell do u think sheika is?
a prospect?

so just goes to show u, cuz appearently u enjoyed that fight
just becuz a fighter is a journeymen it doesnt mean a fight wont be good
Well, if you'd seen the Sheika/Pemberton fights then you would've know this was going to be a competitive fight. I did not expect a blow out like I do for Mayweather against Bruseles. I've seen Bruseles fight on Telefutura a few times (I'm Puerto Rican but I'm also a realist) and know he can't even be compared to PBF. Listen, I have no doubt in my mind that HBO is a better boxing network than Showtime but they are declining and it's is the journalists responsability to make sure they (and we) know about it so that it may be corrected. He is criticizing HBO in the hopes of getting us better fights. Can't you see that?

damn thats on showtime? that sucks

damn thats on showtime? that sucks

?

just in case Tommy Wright sucks ass

Well, if you'd seen the Sheika/Pemberton fights then you would've know this was going to be a competitive fight. I did not expect a blow out like I do for Mayweather against Bruseles. I've seen Bruseles fight on Telefutura a few times (I'm Puerto Rican but I'm also a realist) and know he can't even be compared to PBF. Listen, I have no doubt in my mind that HBO is a better boxing network than Showtime but they are declining and it's is the journalists responsability to make sure they (and we) know about it so that it may be corrected. He is criticizing HBO in the hopes of getting us better fights. Can't you see that?
well if ud seen the brussles-negron fights
then u too would know this guy isnt outa of a fight until its over
and baout brussless not lookin too impressive in other fights
u mean to tell me sheika looked impressive against butler?

Well, if you'd seen the Sheika/Pemberton fights then you would've know this was going to be a competitive fight. I did not expect a blow out like I do for Mayweather against Bruseles. I've seen Bruseles fight on Telefutura a few times (I'm Puerto Rican but I'm also a realist) and know he can't even be compared to PBF. Listen, I have no doubt in my mind that HBO is a better boxing network than Showtime but they are declining and it's is the journalists responsability to make sure they (and we) know about it so that it may be corrected. He is criticizing HBO in the hopes of getting us better fights. Can't you see that?


"journalists responsability" no Greg is not a journalists he's a shameless kissass and its no secret in the boxing world.

How is HBO falling off? Like I said go look at there schedule for early next year its stacked with great fights.

please stop with the shameless ********** dickriding.

Some Heavy Help Needed At HBO
By G. Leon

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Yesterday's report on HBO's farcical PPV thoroughly pointed out how boxing fans were paying $49.95 for garbage last Saturday night. The story, which has generated a tremendous response from the boxing world, touched on all of the fights mentioned, save for one, the main event. Vitali Klitschko-Danny Williams for the WBC heavyweight title, not THE heavyweight championship of the world, as some would like for you to believe.

First of all, after watching Klitschko's last three fights with Kirk Johnson, Corrie Sanders and Danny Williams one must wonder, does HBO, K2, Shelly Finkel, or Klitschko's attorney see to it that a clause is placed in Klitschko's contract, demanding that his opponents train by running to the nearest McDonald's or Wendy's?

It made me sick to my stomach to hear HBO's Jim Lampley rant on about "none of the heavyweights in November" making such a statement.

Give me a break. If they're going to come with these opinions they need to be like the politcians around election time and have the suits, Kerry Davis or Ross Greenburg would do, come on at the end of a telecast to say, "Hi, I'm so an so from HBO and I endorse this message."

Lampley's absurd remarks appear to have been shot from his surgically repaired hip, because he neglected to mention that the other heavyweight champions who fought in November, Byrd and Ruiz, rose from the canvas to win their fights. When Klitschko gets decked and comes back to win a fight maybe we could say he has as much heart as Byrd and Ruiz do.

Most importantly, Byrd and Ruiz had LEGIT challengers in front of them on November 13, both of whom threw more than ten punches in the fight.

Williams, like virtually every other fighter on the show, was only seen by the American Public on Showtime when he stopped Mike Tyson in four rounds.

I for one loved how they advertised the "punch heard round the world."

Perhaps HBO has selective hearing loss because it's obvious the punches that bested Ramirez, and twice bested Navarro and Bailey on Showtime, weren't heard at all.

And am I the only person who thinks the only shape HBO seems to be concerned with regarding Klitschko's opponents is round?

Since HBO seems to be in dire need of assitance regarding it's heavyweight matchmaking, we'll help them out.

Keep it simple and set up a heavyweight tournament. All it would take is two HBO World Championship Boxing dates to get the ball rolling.

IF HBO truly WANTS a REAL heavyweight champion, if they truly want to spark some interest in heavyweight boxing, particularly some real interest behind their beloved Klitschko they have the dates to do it, all they have to do now is make nicey with Don King, who has much of the heavyweight market cornered.

To me, a heavyweight tournament should look like something like this, HBO DATE 1:Chris Byrd-James Toney (IBF), John Ruiz-Jameel McCline (WBA) HBO DATE 2: Vitali Klitschko-Hasim Rahman (WBC), Lamon Brewster-Andrew Golota (WBO).

Winners fight winners until there's one left, one heavyweight champion of the world.

It's a capitalist game, this boxing, and HBO is the eight hundred pound gorilla that seems to be thinking more a chimpanzee these days.

Some Heavy Help Needed At HBO
By G. Leon

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Yesterday's report on HBO's farcical PPV thoroughly pointed out how boxing fans were paying $49.95 for garbage last Saturday night. The story, which has generated a tremendous response from the boxing world, touched on all of the fights mentioned, save for one, the main event. Vitali Klitschko-Danny Williams for the WBC heavyweight title, not THE heavyweight championship of the world, as some would like for you to believe.

First of all, after watching Klitschko's last three fights with Kirk Johnson, Corrie Sanders and Danny Williams one must wonder, does HBO, K2, Shelly Finkel, or Klitschko's attorney see to it that a clause is placed in Klitschko's contract, demanding that his opponents train by running to the nearest McDonald's or Wendy's?

It made me sick to my stomach to hear HBO's Jim Lampley rant on about "none of the heavyweights in November" making such a statement.

Give me a break. If they're going to come with these opinions they need to be like the politcians around election time and have the suits, Kerry Davis or Ross Greenburg would do, come on at the end of a telecast to say, "Hi, I'm so an so from HBO and I endorse this message."

Lampley's absurd remarks appear to have been shot from his surgically repaired hip, because he neglected to mention that the other heavyweight champions who fought in November, Byrd and Ruiz, rose from the canvas to win their fights. When Klitschko gets decked and comes back to win a fight maybe we could say he has as much heart as Byrd and Ruiz do.

Most importantly, Byrd and Ruiz had LEGIT challengers in front of them on November 13, both of whom threw more than ten punches in the fight.

Williams, like virtually every other fighter on the show, was only seen by the American Public on Showtime when he stopped Mike Tyson in four rounds.

I for one loved how they advertised the "punch heard round the world."

Perhaps HBO has selective hearing loss because it's obvious the punches that bested Ramirez, and twice bested Navarro and Bailey on Showtime, weren't heard at all.

And am I the only person who thinks the only shape HBO seems to be concerned with regarding Klitschko's opponents is round?

Since HBO seems to be in dire need of assitance regarding it's heavyweight matchmaking, we'll help them out.

Keep it simple and set up a heavyweight tournament. All it would take is two HBO World Championship Boxing dates to get the ball rolling.

IF HBO truly WANTS a REAL heavyweight champion, if they truly want to spark some interest in heavyweight boxing, particularly some real interest behind their beloved Klitschko they have the dates to do it, all they have to do now is make nicey with Don King, who has much of the heavyweight market cornered.

To me, a heavyweight tournament should look like something like this, HBO DATE 1:Chris Byrd-James Toney (IBF), John Ruiz-Jameel McCline (WBA) HBO DATE 2: Vitali Klitschko-Hasim Rahman (WBC), Lamon Brewster-Andrew Golota (WBO).

Winners fight winners until there's one left, one heavyweight champion of the world.

It's a capitalist game, this boxing, and HBO is the eight hundred pound gorilla that seems to be thinking more a chimpanzee these days.

seriously keep this **** to ********** stop posting it here. Do you know him or do post over there or what?

This article shows just how much of a joke Leon is. "Make nicey with Don King" does this guy live in a world with unicorns and pink elaphents or what?

Hate to break it to him but Vitali is the real heavyweight champion and to say anything else is foolish. Who has the Ring belt again?

Now onto the idea of a tournement and suggesting thats what HBO should do.

Leon is aware that Ruiz,Brewster and Byrd are all Don King fighters right? and he is aware that James Toney is Goosen/Tutor fighter? and that Vitali is promoted by a seperate company?

I mean he does know this factors in doesn't he?

He does know that Don King will not let any of his fighters fight anyone unless he has options on that fighter right?

Its painfully obvious HBO has dogged him and now he's crying.

I like Showtime, but HBO is still a better boxing network in my opinion. Also, the comment about Cotto...I think he is ready for any contender/champion out there. Cotto will be on top of the P4P boxers list by end of 2005 or early 2006.

Looks Like HBO was watching Showtime Dec. 4; I saw on another website that Sam Peter may be on the undercard of the Mayweather card...