We need less PPVs

[K-Nan]

As an avid boxing fan, my spirits are high as this year comes to a close. It's been a great year for boxing, and 2008 promises only more excitement for the fans. But when I say it's been a good year for boxing, I mean boxing only. In the business aspect of the sport, it is as unorganized as ever. Even though I'm a fan of boxing (or maybe because of it), I can admit that the sport has been shooting itself in the foot because of the not-so-savvy business decisions made by promoters and fighters. The sport's popularity has been on the slide for years now, and the root cause is simple: Too many pay-per-views!
Imagine if all of the playoff games in football were on the NFL Network exclusively. A scary thought, right? Well, that nightmare is a reality in boxing, and it's happening because promoters are trying to get the fast money that can be made off of suckers like me (who actually buy the PPVs). You need proof? Consider the fact that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been the reigning pound for pound champion since early 2004. Despite this, most people hadn't heard his name until he was matched against Oscar Delahoya in May of this year. That's because Mayweather's last 5 fights had been on PPV. If the people involved in boxing ever want it to grow a larger fan base, then they'll have to allow the sport to be more accessible. Pay-Per-Views may bring in 'fast money' from the diehard fans, but it's only that: Fast money. In the long run, it will hurt boxing, because less new fans will be drawn to the sport. We don't exactly have young teenagers walking around with 55 bucks to put down on a PPV. And even if they did have it, why would they? They're not familiar with any of the fighters.
So here are some parting words to the boxing bigwigs: Get your priorities straight. Because even though there are a few suckers like me here to loyally spend those 55 bucks, we won't always be around.

[crillz]

I think there should be less PPV's too, I get tired of having to go to a pool hall to see a fight when I could watch it for free amongst family, I end up spending the same amount of money as the PPV itself due to high jacked prices of the beer and liquor, they be having club prices which are just ridiculous, 9$ a shot for certain liquors, **** is ******ed.. it makes for inconvenience and that **** ain't cool, I like the PPV cards because they be having 4-5 fights but c'mon they could at least make it so that it's only 2 or 3 times a year and not under developed guys like Chavez Jr and past prime guys like Mayorga-Vargas ESPECIALLY when they going to show it for free anyway on TV, doesn't make any sense.. 100

[THe TRiNiTY]

We won't be around, we'll inevitably be replaced. PPVs suck, I agree. Essentially though, unless you're going ton find BOXING, BIG TIME BOXING on regular networks, so they can get ad revenue, then they are needed. Perhaps a lower PPV price would be decent. Mayeb if the promotional companies had a contract with a certain PPV provider and could offer their next 3-5 PPVs in a package deal. That might be helpful. They should start with cable fights. See how that works out. Regular TV could he the third step in a slow process.

As of right now and this upcoming year, I see no decline in PPVs happening.

[ztrac79]

It seems like you need to spend 300-500 bucks a year to keep up with the big fights. It's getting a bit ridiculous. I completely agree with you by the way.

[BmoreBrawler]

SOP-CAST

Look, if I COULD buy the ppvs or have HBO and Showtime, I PROBABLY would. Its just not possible right now though.

[Dick-Sucker]

Have to agree. The problem is a couple of years back, everyone one of these fights deserve to be PPV's. Really only 20 top fights throughout the year should be PPV's. The best 20. We need this proportionate system. Otherwise your going to be like me and fork out a lot of money for PPV's. And i have spent a lot on them this year.

[Jim Jeffries]

I think we should have PPVs, but not 55 bucks. And I think there should be more of them. I'd pay 10 bucks to watch a young, talented fighter like Juan Diaz any day. But paying 55 so that guys like Oscar can put on a less than stellar 12 round performance (first 7 not bad) and still make 40 million dollars, while other, better fighters are making chicken feed, sucks, imo.

[K-Nan]

We won't be around, we'll inevitably be replaced. PPVs suck, I agree. Essentially though, unless you're going ton find BOXING, BIG TIME BOXING on regular networks, so they can get ad revenue, then they are needed. Perhaps a lower PPV price would be decent. Mayeb if the promotional companies had a contract with a certain PPV provider and could offer their next 3-5 PPVs in a package deal. That might be helpful. They should start with cable fights. See how that works out. Regular TV could he the third step in a slow process.

As of right now and this upcoming year, I see no decline in PPVs happening.

The promoters need to take a page out of the UFC formula. Raise their fighters so that they are visible on basic cable, and when the time comes around to put them on PPV, the fans are familiar with them and much more willing to buy their ppv. Nowadays, guys like JCC Jr. are being brought up on their own PPV's or their own undercards.

If John Duddy fought more on regular TV, how many Irish fans would be willing to watch his stuff when it goes to PPV? Alot more. Same thing for the Chavez Jr fans. Instead, these guys are virtually unknown on the large scale.

[K-Nan]

BTW- could you guy give me some feedback of what you thought about my first post? It's gonna be in the school paper, and I just wanted to see what the real fans thought about it. Keep in mind that I had to keep it simple for the casual reader.

[THe TRiNiTY]

The promoters need to take a page out of the UFC formula. Raise their fighters so that they are visible on basic cable, and when the time comes around to put them on PPV, the fans are familiar with them and much more willing to buy their ppv. Nowadays, guys like JCC Jr. are being brought up on their own PPV's or their own undercards.

If John Duddy fought more on regular TV, how many Irish fans would be willing to watch his stuff when it goes to PPV? Alot more. Same thing for the Chavez Jr fans. Instead, these guys are virtually unknown on the large scale.

That doesn't solve the PROBLEM of PPVs, though. I want them to eventually be used for ONLY superfights. Unlikely. However, in order for that to happen to have to slowly weed that out. Your idea, though good in idea, would do the opposite of that.