Comments Thread For: Sanchez: Andre Ward Should Tune Up on ESPN, Not HBO!

[Heru]

The public has always demanded better fights... The difference now is that HBO is demanding better fights because they're feeling the pressure from the competitors. HBO should hold out for the best regadless.

Fighters' unwillingness to fight off of the premium networks has been to the detriment of the sport. My preference is to watch the best matchups on HBO (or any other network for that matter), but if Ward can negotiate a tuneup on HBO, more power to him. These "HBO and Sho fighters" could be making a quick 50k for a tuneup on ESPN (not adding gate revenue) or another network willing to televise the fight. Ward has stated that he's been ready to return; he could have been fought a tuneup before a November fight.

[MC Hammer]

Thats funny coming from a guy whose fighter has had only one real competitor ( based on record) in Macklin, fight him on HBO. Maybe Ward should go to Showtime, they'll let him get away with one easy comeback fight as a co-main event then make that money back later.

[MDPopescu]

Not only does he want to fight a lame in the tune up fight but he also wants a $2+ Million purse aswell. Smh

... $2.2 mln, to be more precise...

[Russian Crushin]

HBO offered him 3.15 mil to split with Rodriguez. He's clearly not being offer pennies. He needs to swallow his pride a bit. I'm sure HBO would cover a tune up but he would need to take a big pat cut

[Saul_Good]

Thats funny coming from a guy whose fighter has had only one real competitor ( based on record) in Macklin, fight him on HBO. Maybe Ward should go to Showtime, they'll let him get away with one easy comeback fight as a co-main event then make that money back later.

Yep. He probably could hit up Showtime Extreme and get a fight on one of those preliminary cards.

[lopez36]

nothing but the truth,dont want to entertain but expect to get on tv and crying all the time when they dont want to show certain fights,cant have it both ways

[MC Hammer]

Yep. He probably could hit up Showtime Extreme and get a fight on one of those preliminary cards.

Showtime is trying to buy up talent. If they get the #2 P4P in the world, it would be a major asset. I think they'd go for it, Especially for a 3 million dollar investment. You think he couldn't get a soft touch, if it meant they get an extended contract from the guy?

[MC Hammer]

The public has always demanded better fights... The difference now is that HBO is demanding better fights because they're feeling the pressure from the competitors. HBO should hold out for the best regadless.

Fighters' unwillingness to fight off of the premium networks has been to the detriment of the sport. My preference is to watch the best matchups on HBO (or any other network for that matter), but if Ward can negotiate a tuneup on HBO, more power to him. These "HBO and Sho fighters" could be making a quick 50k for a tuneup on ESPN (not adding gate revenue) or another network willing to televise the fight. Ward has stated that he's been ready to return; he could have been fought a tuneup before a November fight.

They have to have minimums, or it would hurt them in a real negotiation. You don't want to be at the table with a real fighter, and his management goes to the media saying

" his last fight was against a cab driver on ESPN for 50K. Now he wants all this money from us. He doesn't want the fight, he's pricing himself out"

[Saul_Good]

Showtime is trying to buy up talent. If they get the #2 P4P in the world, it would be a major asset. I think they'd go for it, Especially for a 3 million dollar investment. You think he couldn't get a soft touch, if it meant they get an extended contract from the guy?

I just wonder if it would compromise a potential GGG match up, with him becoming their new golden boy and all.

Without a doubt though, Showtime would pony up for an opportunity to have Ward on their network.

[MDPopescu]

Showtime is trying to buy up talent. If they get the #2 P4P in the world, it would be a major asset. I think they'd go for it, Especially for a 3 million dollar investment. You think he couldn't get a soft touch, if it meant they get an extended contract from the guy?

Back in 2011 (after winning the Super Six), Ward switched from Showtime to HBO. Ward fought just once since then -- the big champ Dawson at 168.