Comments Thread For: How much could the Saudi Arabia mirage eventually cost boxing?

[TonyRespectful]

In order to be a real boxing fan, one needs to be able to see what's happening in the ring with an open mind and clear understanding that what's happening is factual and empirical.
You are responding to someone who is clearly challenged in that department. I don't know why he's on these pages.
By the way, the USA is the greatest country that ever existed in history, mistakes and flaws and all.
That's what I believe, anyway.

Greatest country ever even with all her flaws,God bless America !

[DClefthook]

The biggest mistake Haymon made was (successfully) discouraging Wilder from singing the 2-fight deal to fight AJ because it would have meant working with Hearn//DAZN. It’s hindsight, of course, but we will now know Wilder would have likely beaten AJ, twice and PBC would have had an iron grip on the entire heavyweight division (which certainly would have pleased Haymon’s hedge fund investors). PBC could have avoided overpaying Wilder to fight guys like Brazeale to keep him happy about losing out on the AJ fight - and he would have probably not have gone into the black hole of fighting a bad matchup like Fury three times. Haymon and PBC have done some good things but they blew it by letting ego and control get in the way of a Wilder-AJ fight.

We'll agree ro disagree on a few of your points but I can appreciate your viewpoint!

[DClefthook]

Sorry, have to disagree with you on this one. The free market moves where best value is realized and the all mighty green knows no color. He is correct, the gravy train will run dry, the buying public moves where the best deal can be realized and the rest takes care of itself. A successful business owner who seeks as many buyers as possible for his product won’t corner his market value to a subset of society. This has been tried in the past and it has failed. Boxing must branch out beyond what some perceive as “institutional” if it must survive. Those on the sidelines (the successful business owners) know this and are waiting for the bottom to drop. They’ll stick to their old successful model and win in the end regardless of color. There’s a reason why the longest standing corporations still exist with little to no monetary problems. Because their product captures the public at large.

Never forget, green knows no color. That is simple economics.

Green knows no color but the men that distribute the green know exactly what color is my friend!

[DClefthook]

Well, PBC fighters arent exactly fighting even remotely often. Many of them have psychological/law enforcement problems.

Not exactly a sign of a successful manager.

Yea you got us there because I forgot all about that stalwart PBC guy Ryan Garcia and all his alcohol, PED, *******, jealousy and law enforcement issues he's having. Thanks for reminding me buddy!

[CPNUTKnockoutFreshMart]

One thing that really bothers me about Turki trying to run boxing is that he's petty and lets his ego get in the way. He's got a few guys blacklisted already , what if he starts pressuring other guys not to fight them, with threats to their careers ? Piss off Turki , and all of a sudden no one wants to fight you , train you , promote you , etc. Boxing doesn't need a ruler , shlt , no one needs a ruler. That's how the Saudis are used to doing things , but it's only good for the ruler and their toadies , while they are on the rulers good side. Screw that. I love that Turki is making good fights , but as far as him taking over boxing , that's a big nope from me.

[rickJen]

The biggest mistake Haymon made was (successfully) discouraging Wilder from singing the 2-fight deal to fight AJ because it would have meant working with Hearn//DAZN. It’s hindsight, of course, but we will now know Wilder would have likely beaten AJ, twice and PBC would have had an iron grip on the entire heavyweight division (which certainly would have pleased Haymon’s hedge fund investors). PBC could have avoided overpaying Wilder to fight guys like Brazeale to keep him happy about losing out on the AJ fight - and he would have probably not have gone into the black hole of fighting a bad matchup like Fury three times. Haymon and PBC have done some good things but they blew it by letting ego and control get in the way of a Wilder-AJ fight.

Thanks for the comedy bro. Could have, should have, who knows?
Bigger regret should be PBC not making Ruiz vs Wilder happen.
"Fight should be easy to make because we're on the same organization," stated Andy.
Fans would have had at least something to compare with.

[rickJen]

I appreciate the mention of women in boxing and the fact that there has only been one female bout to date, Ramla Ali on the AJ card in 2022. And yes, there is the announcement of the Skye Nicolson-Raven Chapman fight -- the first women's boxing bout on a Riyadh Season card -- but a second fight in two years does not a commitment make, especially since there have been opportunities on non-Saudi Rihadh Season cards in the UK and USA where women were and are excluded. As you note: fighters such as Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor, Savannah Marshall champions all, and on and on, have providen the brilliance of the sport. The deliberate exclusion of these talents continues to choke the life out of the sport along with the opportunity to grow the fan base. Truly SMH...

Women's boxing has gained ground but it's got its low and high ebb.
Or it's not as consistent as other women's sport which remarkably gained significant grounds.
They're obviously attracting viewers, thus steady sponsors to be able to have live coverage on a regular basis.
Basketball, volleyball, baseball, you name it, not only in the US but around the world.

[OnePunch]

that was a very astute observation I thought as well. When Haymon injected money into the sport ans tried to get television deals ans bring it back to the mainstream in America, the response by promoters and oddly even fans was to put him through the wringer. But when a Saudi does it, those same people are applauding it. That really is so ultra revealing. It shows you the massive contempt so many have for a foundational black American being the driving force in boxing in this new global era of race based ultranationalism. Nationality in itself just doesn’t matter, race does. As I’ve said before, in America, they have begun not to care where you were born, only your race matters.

THATS your take on what he did????? Wow, get some glasses, because what Haymon actually did was to eliminate ESPN FNF, and then he BOUGHT airtime on multiple networks in order to devalue everyone elses content to try and put them all out of business. Dont even pretend that he was some sort of savior only trying to do good for the sport. But his plan FAILED. He did manage to get rid of the mid level promoters, who no longer could get ANY tv dates. So Dibella, Main Events, Deguardia, Shaw, Goosen, Banner, etc were all pretty much done, because nobody was buying content. A show here or there, but nothing consistent. But Haymons plan failed and he wasnt able to get rid of Golden Boy and Top Rank, despite pissing away almost a BILLION dollars. But go ahead and make it about race, thats always the easiest path for simple minded people........

[BustedKnuckles]

Maybe it's just boxing last gasp before death.

The world is changing, and at least US society may not be creating the kinds of men who have the fortitude and ambition to be champion boxers. Even if they have skill, they are in it for Money Mayweather type of loot.

Big paydays, for fighting lower-tier fighters, once per year, resulting in highly controversial decisions against the b-side, all while avoiding top comps...

This monster can only feed on itself for so long before there's nothing left to eat. Then it starves.

[OnePunch]

was a halfway interesting read, right up until he suggested that Steven Espinoza should be the head of boxing for the whole world. Kinda went off the rails after that........lol