HBO Steps Up and Ross Greenburg Speaks Out

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Michael Swann - I must confess that in the past couple of years I have been quite outspoken in my criticism of HBO boxing programming. The Network represents excellence in all forms of entertainment provided by the network but boxing has at times appeared to fall short of the HBO standard on occasion making them an easy target for a media attack.

But the reality is that as HBO goes, so goes boxing. In the final analysis you can’t make HBO the scapegoat for all the problems in the sport. In fact at this point in time you could make a strong case that without HBO, boxing would wither and die.

In 2009 HBO has lit up our TV screens with prime quality cards, both on HBO World Championship Boxing and Boxing After Dark. Last Saturday, for example, we were treated to a Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz instant classic that might have been a pay per view event in previous years. The co-feature with Chris John and Rocky Juarez also sizzled.

Tonight’s BAD card is headlined by a compelling James Kirkland-Joel Julio matchup that promises to be an all out action bout. Along with Robert Guerrero from nearby Gilroy and Victor Ortiz in other quality matches this promises to be a solid tripleheader from San Jose, California, 10 p.m. ET/PT. [details]

[The Gambler1981]

Interesting read.

[Queen_Leia]

I must confess, HBO has really step it up so far this year....if they keep this pace, we may have another 2007 type year on our hands. I mean Greenburg is human and 1 or 2 ****** matches are bound to happen but as long as the good out weights the bad .....they will always get a pass.

[youngswish23]

Big ups to hbo. I was a critic too but lately theyve been lights out. That ****ing jmm vs diaz was one of the best fights ive ever seen! No losers in that fight they both fought tremendous fights. This is how it should be. Fighters fighting real fighters when that happens you get great fights. I think 2008 had too many fighters in promoters ducking each other alot of ***** ****! But big ups too all the fighters stepping up this year and to hbo even the announcers your all doing a great ****ing job. This is year of boxing i wont forget! And all the fighters like diaz and pacman jmm, pwill, cotto, mosley, berto thanks for stepping up and fighting the best comp u can. You guys are real champs!

[mrpain81]

With the cards HBO has been putting on this year the 12 dollar subscription a month is a real bargain, I only have Cable TV to watch boxing and it's been a real pleasure these past few months.

Thank you HBO for the great cards, I hope you continue and the ratings go straight to the top.

[mrosborne]

That's right.

Keep putting out the good fights HBO, and we true boxing fans will continue to come out and support you. It really is that simple. I'm tired of hearing this economy is in a depression bull****. I don't care. Put out the right fights, and people will pawn their **** if they have to and continue to come out to see the fights. The human spirit demands fighters no matter what age and era it is. We want to see fighters fighting the best and champions rising to the occasion. Thanks for putting together the matchups we as fans clamor for. Earn your subscription money, and we won't have a problem paying it.

-MrOsborne

[Zarco]

tru article. hbo has been doing great. world championship boxing or boxing after dark have been A+ affairs.

[MANGLER]

Good ****. **** all the PPV's. HBO is killin it so far this yr.

[solly6]

lets not pump hbos tires they are doing what they $%$ should. it doesn't take a genius to make a good fight. there are a ton of good fighters out there its just the last couple of years were an embarassment. a monkey could put these fights together there still needs to be improvement look what the ****** dana white did with mma and tell me its genius, no its not its $%$# simple. put good boxers against good boxers and promote a little and wow you have a $#%#$ sport that has been good since the #$$# 20s. **** article

[VanesBoxing]

HBO is the bread and butter of boxing and they have been holding the bar up pretty hight for years now...

Showtime is ever so close now a days... but yet still so far...

I like how HBO has put some serious focus into young up and comers like Angulo, Kirkland, Ortiz to help them develop into their stars of tomorrow.

check out the quality interviews on www.HBO.com