De La Hoya Confirms KO Bonus at Stake For KO Kings II
By Jake Donovan
For boxing fans, the upcoming July 27 Showtime-televised tripleheader is a lifesaver amidst a dismal summer schedule. Not only are all three bouts compelling, but each of the six fighters involved in the telecast will be properly motivated to not only win but look good doing so.
The card, which takes place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, is the second edition of Golden Boy Promotions’ ‘Knockout Kings’ series, aptly named ‘Knockout Kings II’. The series first debuted last September, when Golden Boy put together a televised quadrupleheader, headlined by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in a one-sided knockout versus Josesito Lopez.
As one bad decision after another rained down on the boxing industry, Golden Boy put its best foot forward to deliver a card that would all but guarantee a knockout ending – or at least the threat of a knockout – in every fight. An added incentive was offered to the winner, in the form of a bonus. The same principle is applied in next weekend’s show.
“I will be introducing a bonus for the best knockout among thee three televised fights,” Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions, announced Tuesday afternoon during a media conference call.
Alvarez collected the bonus last September, with his destruction of Lopez earning him an extra $100,000 on an already lucrative evening for the unbeaten Mexican star. His knockout was deemed best of the night, as voted by Showtime viewers.
The details surrounding next weekend’s bonus payout have yet to be confirmed or finalized. What was confirmed was that it will be enough to properly motivate all six participants, which in turn can only benefit the fans in the arena or watching at home.
“I have to decide (on the dollar amount) – I’m talking over with Mike Battah (of Leija Battah Promotions, the local promoter handling the event). It will be a substantial amount,” de la Hoya said when asked of the final payout and how the winner will be determined. “We will try to do (the fan voting) again. It’s definitely going to make it more exciting and give the fans their money’s worth.”
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
