PHOTO BY: MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK
03
JAN
BY MITCH ABRAMSON
Promoter Bob Arum, hoping to avoid the risks of pay-per-view, is eager to put Manny Pacquiao’s next fight on “free television” and referenced networks such as CBS, NBC, ESPN and even regular HBO as possible options, he told ******.com on Tuesday. Arum is eyeing April 22 for Pacquiao’s return, saying he would fight outside the U.S., with Australia and undefeated contender Jeff Horn in the mix.
Man who'd have ever thought Manny would fight on regular TV...or I guess that even being in play at this early point in the discussion. That said sounds like Arum setting up a potential pivot with HBO/Peter Nelson if needed more than its likely to occur, but I like Arum talking about it all the same. I'm super curious what a big name like Manny's does on legit free TV ratings-wise. Something like that could reboot boxing on free TV for real.
I think he's fighting that Horn dude from Australia
I would take anything Arum says with a pinch of salt, but if they go that way it would be a signal about the direction of the sport going forward.
I'm sceptical though. Pacquiao did about the same numbers against Vargas as Canelo did against Smith. An opponent with some name value would justify a PPV from a financial perspective.
People really gonna fall for this promotional tactic? Garner interest from the casual, drum up enough headlines then do the old switcheroo at the end and call it a nominal fee..pull the other ones it's got bells Arum...i call 100% BS on this
PHOTO BY: MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK
03
JAN
BY MITCH ABRAMSON
Promoter Bob Arum, hoping to avoid the risks of pay-per-view, is eager to put Manny Pacquiao’s next fight on “free television” and referenced networks such as CBS, NBC, ESPN and even regular HBO as possible options, he told ******.com on Tuesday. Arum is eyeing April 22 for Pacquiao’s return, saying he would fight outside the U.S., with Australia and undefeated contender Jeff Horn in the mix.
Don't get played by the head fake; Arum is hoping against hope that, if he does actually end up staging Pacquiao's next fight in Australia/Asia, the value of the matinee airing in the US would be enough that HBO would have an interest in picking up this one after passing on the last one.
If HBO passes again, Top Rank is left with deciding to either try and put a matinee fight up on PPV, or simply streaming the fight on their website for no money (banner ads on the official stream are probably worth something).
Les Moonves (CBS) wants nothing to do with him, and I sincerely doubt that he has that type of relationship with any of the sports-related folks at ABC, NBC, or FOX.