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by David P. Greisman - The best heavyweight in the world was a 6-foot-5, 250-pound unified champion from outside of the United States. The next big thing came from America, an undefeated prospect who had network backing and a string of knockout victories.
Lennox Lewis knocked Michael Grant out in two rounds.
The next big thing became the latest big bust. And the story being written ended abruptly, the page torn from the typewriter, crumpled up and disposed of summarily.
History repeats.
The best heavyweight in the world is a 6-foot-6, 240-pound unified titlist from the Ukraine. The next big thing is out of California, an undefeated prospect who not only has a string of knockout victories, but the backing of HBO, too.
What takes place behind the scenes is often as important as what goes on in the ring.
The best and the brightest used to battle on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing,” and occasionally on pay-per-view. On the network’s “Boxing After Dark,” lesser-known warriors threw down because celebrity was contingent on victory, and prospects were tested before money was invested.
Those were the days.
Budgets are tighter. Dates are scarcer. Boxers demand more money, and in turn HBO is, in effect, as much a promoter as a producer.
It still builds legends one round at a time. But it chooses which pugilists will be the protagonists.
What happens on other networks and in other countries matters as little to HBO as what happens in other organizations and countries means to the UFC.
A network will direct its attention to fighters it has bought, fighters it will sell based on the promise of profit.
HBO picked Grant as the challenger to Lewis’ championship. HBO named Jermain Taylor as the heir apparent to Bernard Hopkins’ throne. And HBO has chosen Chris Arreola as the best choice to face Wladimir Klitschko. [details]
Lennox Lewis knocked Michael Grant out in two rounds.
The next big thing became the latest big bust. And the story being written ended abruptly, the page torn from the typewriter, crumpled up and disposed of summarily.
History repeats.
The best heavyweight in the world is a 6-foot-6, 240-pound unified titlist from the Ukraine. The next big thing is out of California, an undefeated prospect who not only has a string of knockout victories, but the backing of HBO, too.
What takes place behind the scenes is often as important as what goes on in the ring.
The best and the brightest used to battle on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing,” and occasionally on pay-per-view. On the network’s “Boxing After Dark,” lesser-known warriors threw down because celebrity was contingent on victory, and prospects were tested before money was invested.
Those were the days.
Budgets are tighter. Dates are scarcer. Boxers demand more money, and in turn HBO is, in effect, as much a promoter as a producer.
It still builds legends one round at a time. But it chooses which pugilists will be the protagonists.
What happens on other networks and in other countries matters as little to HBO as what happens in other organizations and countries means to the UFC.
A network will direct its attention to fighters it has bought, fighters it will sell based on the promise of profit.
HBO picked Grant as the challenger to Lewis’ championship. HBO named Jermain Taylor as the heir apparent to Bernard Hopkins’ throne. And HBO has chosen Chris Arreola as the best choice to face Wladimir Klitschko. [details]
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