Why didn't HBO interview Kotelnik or Pirog?

[Kimo]

Personally I wanted to hear Kotelnik's thoughts after the fight yesterday.

That was pretty obvious though, he clearly felt he won the fight and once the decision was read by Buffer his face expressed everything.

[Ray*]

Maybe they didnt have a translater

They did, they even have his trainer who was american (McKinnley), HBO usually have both fighters in the ring for an interview so they need to start doing that even with lesser known euro fighters because it doesnt bode-well for them not doing so.

[PunchDrunk]

HBO has a hard time ahead of them if this is how they're gonna play it.. they're going to be interviewing a lot more losers, while ignoring the winners in the coming years, mark my words. ust look at the current state of amateur boxing, where the future stars are made. Top US fighters are all but non existant. And don't give me the "amateurs are pitty patty punches" line either. The way fights are scored now, ONLY absolute power punches are registered, which makes for a more pro style. American top pro's are gonna be few and far between in 5-10 years, believe me.

[mathed]

Don't they want the public to hear from the "Evil Russians" lol.

I thought it was insulting not to interview the winner Pirog and not to give Kotelnik a chance to say his side o the story. Kotelnik would have said he was robbed and wanted a rematch, HBO does not want to show that rematch,I can guarantee you that. They only want to show their stars and if they can't win on their own merit, they will make sure the judges know who is supposed to win the fight.

[Check]

HBO has a hard time ahead of them if this is how they're gonna play it.. they're going to be interviewing a lot more losers, while ignoring the winners in the coming years, mark my words. ust look at the current state of amateur boxing, where the future stars are made. Top US fighters are all but non existant. And don't give me the "amateurs are pitty patty punches" line either. The way fights are scored now, ONLY absolute power punches are registered, which makes for a more pro style. American top pro's are gonna be few and far between in 5-10 years, believe me.

If you think America won't be the number 1 country in boxing in 10 years, you got a rude awakening. Where were guys like Cloud, Dawson, Bradley or any young top American in the am's? Lemme tell you, they weren't there. Correlating am experience and success to pro boxing is not comparable and the wrong way to do things.

[mathed]

I'm an American but I think it is sad the way HBO is trying to baby these so called stars. They want them to be WORLDCLASS boxers yet get mad when they lose to fighters from other parts of the world or are taken to places that make them look less than legendary.

I mean, does HBO think that these top fighters are never supposed to be challenged at all? When you fight the best fighters in the world, you are going to look average at times because you are fighting the best. HBO is more worried about these guys' images than anything..they want a stable of American superstars. They could have a stable of excellent boxers that they could all pit against one another, whether American or European to give the fans all their hearts could desire as far as boxing goes but they keep shafting these foreign guys with corrupt judging and shiesty ref activities. This kind of stuff doesn't seem to happen like this on Showtime.......

[jonesy]

From what iv heard s that they don't even want to put Pirog back on HBO. It is an american tv channel so only americans are going to tune in/buy ppv so it doesn't benefit them if europeans are fighting, taking and winning. Thats my opinion anyway.

[Crazylegs77]

Don't they want the public to hear from the "Evil Russians" lol.

I was wondering that too, I guess its cause they didnt do as they were supposed to and lie down and take beatings from HBO prospects, how rude of them

[mathed]

From what iv heard s that they don't even want to put Pirog back on HBO. It is an american tv channel so only americans are going to tune in/buy ppv so it doesn't benefit them if europeans are fighting, taking and winning. Thats my opinion anyway.

I mean what kind of crap is that? I'd love to have the opportunity to see him in action again, I could care less if he is Russian or not. It is too political man, this is supposed to be a sport not a political platform...

[killacash]

Actually on a interview with Pirog, he admits that it is his fault why HBO didnt interview him cause someone in his camp told him to go straight to his dressing room after he won.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=29848

Media: Were you disappointed with the way HBO broadcasting crew has treated you? They didn’t even bother to arrange a post-fight quicky with the winner, yet they delivered tons of attention to the loser.
Pirog: No-no, I wasn’t disappointed. Actually, it was my fault. Somebody told me to go back to my dressing room, and then I met several more persons and suddenly found myself in a locker. So HBO broadcasting crew isn’t guilty. It was just an occasional flow of events.
Nepogodin: Things are totally different in America. We are feeling no prejudice there. Fans are mostly non-bias and we appreciate this fact.
Pirog: American TV is surely rooting for Americans. That’s obvious. But what is different is the fact that they value a good, thrilling boxing over national and state borders. If you can fight as a real fighter – just look at Manny Pacquiao, Sergio Martinez or, say, Juan Manuel Marquez – they’ll praise you and give you an opportunity to shine.