“Global Supremacy” Deserves Better Than A Price Tag

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Jake Donovan - In a weekend that boasts quality over quantity, the sport had a great chance to make a major statement. They blew it big time.

There have been many occasions where either HBO or Showtime completely missed the ball in not signing a fight to air on their network. More often than not, however, one will pick up what the other passed on.

It’s usually Showtime picking up the slack for HBO, whether it’s going outside of the prospect template to air a major bout on its Shobox series, or an event like next weekend, when unbeaten super middleweight titlist Carl Froch travels to America to defend his alphabet belt against Jermain Taylor. [details]

[TKO Tom]

Jakey makes some great points.

However, the big barrier for HBO and SHO in this day and age is the production costs of doing a show from a place like the Philippines. A lot of money for a low return. Neither is going to build a franchise around Donaire or Viloria as there's nothing in it for them in terms of a return on investment - or it's a small return.

I think their whole point is that if Arum wants to do a show from the Philippines with two little guys he can pay for it himself.

This is a case where network television used to fill this type of void. These two fights would have been a natural for ABC, CBS and NBC back in the day. Perfect for a Saturday afternoon show.

[Dave Rado]

This is a case where network television used to fill this type of void. These two fights would have been a natural for ABC, CBS and NBC back in the day. Perfect for a Saturday afternoon show.

Why doesn't network television fill the void any more, when no one else will?