Eddie Hearn does not have much faith in the pay-per-view model as it is currently implemented in the United States. The British promoter thinks the current market is flooded with pay-per-view boxing events, exhibition or otherwise. Add in the exorbitant price tags, Hearn believes the product has been significantly diminished.
Chris Colbert saw a significant increase in viewership from his previous televised ring appearance. The unbeaten WBA interim junior lightweight titlist picked his most notable win to date, a twelve-round, unanimous decision victory over Mongolia’s Tugstsogt Nyambayar (12-2, 9KOs). An average of 261,000 viewers tuned in for the July 3 Showtime main event, according to Nielsen Media Research. The bout peaked at 288,000 viewers, occurring during the 11:30-11:45 p.m. ET block close to the start of the contest which aired live from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
“The Monster” drew a sizable audience to ESPN on Saturday night. According to statistics Nielsen Media Research revealed Tuesday, Naoya Inoue’s brief fight on ESPN drew an average audience of 818,000. The Japanese star knocked down Michael Dasmarinas three times on his way to winning their scheduled 12-round bantamweight championship bout by third-round knockout inside The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
More viewers watched Jermall Charlo’s tougher-than-expected victory over Juan Macias Montiel than any boxing match Showtime has televised during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quantity Saturday is here. A day loaded with main events featuring prohibitive favorites and interesting undercards doesn’t make for a clear pick of the week. This card gets the nod as it showcases the most highly regarded battler stepping into the ring this weekend. Saul Alvarez is widely seen as the leader in the clubhouse for best fighter in the world, regardless of size. Bantamweight leader Naoya Inoue (20-0, 17 KO) isn’t far off the pace.
Shakur Stevenson’s uneventful victory over Jeremiah Nakathila prompted Stevenson to apologize for what he considers a subpar performance. Viewership still went up as their monotonous match continued Saturday night. According to a Nielsen Media Research report released Tuesday, ESPN’s telecast of Stevenson’s 12-round points win drew an average audience of 857,000 and a peak audience of 927,000 toward the end of it.
Pick It: Shakur Stevenson vs. Jeremia Nakathila (Saturday, ESPN, 10:00 PM EST) - For all the talk about a blue chip foursome of Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, and Gervonta Davis, there is every reason to think the man who will emerge one day as the best fighter around their weights in their era is fighting Saturday night.
Sky Sports has outlined the next phase of its 30-year association with the sport of boxing, bringing two new partnerships both in the UK and internationally, with the deals running through 2025.
By Thomas Gerbasi - As cool under pressure as one of the four fighters he featured in the Showtime documentary series The Kings, director Mat Whitecross didn’t expect to feel any nerves creeping in as episode one premiered last Sunday night. That cool comes with experience...