Comments Thread For: HBO Passes on Stevenson-Fonfara; Open to Kovalev Bout

[The Problem Child]

I can understand HBO's decision in this case but they are not in a position where they can keep skipping over fights with a heavy competitor in Showtime. Whoever is in charge at HBO has done an awful job and is letting the HBO Boxing ship sink slowly. It all started with letting Mayweather go... their decision making has been very questionable. Egos have come in the way of making money and that's a huge mistake in the business world.

Meanwhile, Showtime keeps getting stronger.

And of course, needless to say, Stevenson is dead scared of Kovalev. That's a fact.

[rasdun]

Maidana has earned a Mayweather fight whether you think it's a mismatch or not.

its not a complete joke - the point is that its just not a good fight. Kovalev "earned" the fight wit Stevenson even moreso - and its a fight fans want to see - so Im in favor of networks not paying for the garbage in an attempt to make the good fights

[joseph5620]

EXACTLY my point! you watch it bc its a sport. Us as fans should care, first and foremost about the best fights getting made. If something is going to hinder that _ then Im not in favor of it - as simple as that. Like you said, you make not one cent off these fighters - so isnt it in your best interest (your enjoyment) to see Stevenson v Kovalev. it seems that Stevenson doesn't want to fight Kovalev - thats why myself and others on this forum are a lil pissed

As a fan, I agree with you. It's a disappointment but I understand it from a fighters perspective.

[MDPopescu]

HBO still has some good options without Stevenson. Kovalev vs Ward, Kovalev vs Pascal, Kovalev vs Froch/Groves winner at a catchweight, Kovalev vs Chavez Jr. If Stevenson chooses to fight Hopkins or Froch on Showtime, he will make less money than he would against Kovalev and, if/when he loses, his chances of getting a big money fight against Kovalev will be over. Stevenson is tying the noose around his own neck and I say good riddance!

You really are ironic... Do you see Ward, Pascal, Froch calling for Kovalev? Did any of those even pronounced this name?

[Russian Crushin]

I'm board with you claiming that Stevenson was intentionally ducking Kovalev by strategically signing with Haymon which is ******.

Why did he strategically take a fight which paid him less then fight Kovalev for more money? I thought prize fighters fight for money, so whyd he take less money?

[JJRod]

But Adonis would make much more money for Kovalev than he would Fonfara, so why did he choose Fonfara instead. Does Stevenson hate money?

No the problem is he gets good money for Fonfara and easy winnable fight for him and then gets max money for fighting Kovalev. In that order.

If he fights Kovalev first and loses he doesn't get the same money for a fight with Fonfora later.

[rasdun]

I can understand HBO's decision in this case but they are not in a position where they can keep skipping over fights with a heavy competitor in Showtime. Whoever is in charge at HBO has done an awful job and is letting the HBO Boxing ship sink slowly. It all started with letting Mayweather go... their decision making has been very questionable. Egos have come in the way of making money and that's a huge mistake in the business world.

Meanwhile, Showtime keeps getting stronger.

And of course, needless to say, Stevenson is dead scared of Kovalev. That's a fact.

showtime is making some bad fights too though - Matthyse v. Julio Diaz - thats bad. HBO just made a real good fight JMM v. Alvarado.
I understand your point - but dont blame HBO for passing on this fight, especially if they had an agreement and Stevenson came back for even more money wit no guarantee that hed fight Kovalev nxt

[joseph5620]

its not a complete joke - the point is that its just not a good fight. Kovalev "earned" the fight wit Stevenson even moreso - and its a fight fans want to see - so Im in favor of networks not paying for the garbage in an attempt to make the good fights

That's true, I agree. But I haven't completely given up on the fight taking place. It has to happen.

[Russian Crushin]

As a fan, I agree with you. It's a disappointment but I understand it from a fighters perspective.

Stevenson is fighting for much less money than he would have received against Kovalev. I dont understand his perspective, does he hate money or something?

[Russian Crushin]

No the problem is he gets good money for Fonfara and easy winnable fight for him and then gets max money for fighting Kovalev.

If he fights Kovalev first and loses he doesn't get the same money for a fight with Fonfora.

So he's not fighting Kovalev (and making much more money) because he thinks he'll lose? hmmmm