Showtime’s Bastard Showcase Weekend

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Jake Donovan - If nothing else, this weekend defines Showtime’s boxing policy of “Great fights, no rights.”

It is the last part that allows America’s #1 Boxing Network to get in the Jermain Taylor business, picking up the tab for his crack at super middleweight hardware when he faces undefeated Carl Froch this weekend (Saturday, 9PM ET/PT, Mashantucket, Connecticut).

Once the exclusive property of rival network HBO, neither Taylor nor promoter Lou DiBella enjoy carta blanche status when it comes to showcasing the 2000 US Olympic bronze medalist. HBO’s loss becomes Showtime’s gain when the former opted to pass on this weekend’s title fight, leaving fans baffled over the move and Showtime once again the people’s champ when it comes to finding a televised home for such fan-friendly fights.

Little did Showtime know they would be bidding against themselves to secure rights not just for this fight, but for both cards they plan to air this weekend. [details]

[STILL DETOX]

showtime is garbage

[ACHlLLES]

I hate the whole showtime crew, I don't think I like any of them at all. They're the dorkiest announcers ever. That new black guy announcer is pretty cool, but the white announcers are quite dorky and annoying as ****.

[Spray_resistant]

And who is that anorexic chick that does post fight interviews? You would think they could find someone hotter.

[IIG]

I hate the whole showtime crew, I don't think I like any of them at all. They're the dorkiest announcers ever. That new black guy announcer is pretty cool, but the white announcers are quite dorky and annoying as ****.

Al Bernstein is one of the greatest minds in boxing. I always think he's spot on with his commentary, and he always comes across as quite knowledgable on all things boxing. In fact, he's the best thing about Showtime boxing period. Nick Charles and Steve Farhood are as annoying as boring, Steve Albert was strange, and Gus Johnson is clearly an MMA guy. He doesn't even want to be there. Jim Gray was a decent interviewer, but he seemingly has been replaced by the channel's worst, Karyn Bryant. I still love Showtime fights though.

[MissDeeCole]

showtime might suck now, but its nowhere near as bad as it was back in the 90's with bernie pachino or whatever his name was. awful

[MANGLER]

Karen Bryant sucks. but she looks good.

[HeartAttack]

Al Berstein is one of the best in the business and one of the most respected. The rest of the crew sucks. And the only reason we tolerate Bernstein is because we know him outside of the telecast. Listen, they nuthug way too much to the sanctioning bodies. To a point that they throw integrity out the window and objectivity leads the exodus out. The fights they get are getting pretty good and relatively important all in the same sense. It's just that there is no objectiveness to the fighters or the matchups. They refuse to acknowledge linear champions and to point out what is wrong with the sport while promoting what is right about boxing. Basically the fights are worthwhile once you've discovered the mute button on your controller. But sometimes I get more entertainment from the commentary than I do the bouts, so it's a tradeoff from HBO. ***, at least I don't have to hear Lederman's shrill voice on Showtime.

[TOBYLEE1]

Berstein is always saying what a boxer should or should not be doing in the ring. Instead of announcing the fight he says his opinion like its fact, then to most of the time proven wrong by the fight itself. I wish he was more impartial and not so opiniated in which way the fight has to go but just describe the events that are unfolding.

[AndyShitHot]

I think it's fair to say that everyone wishes this fight was on HBO but they dropped the ball and Showtime are now bringing it to us so fair play to them. I'm looking forward to this fight more than i've looked forward to any other fight this year. Is gonna be awesome.