Comments Thread For: ESPN Makes A Heavy(weight) Investment in Boxing's Future

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  • BIGPOPPAPUMP
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    #1

    Comments Thread For: ESPN Makes A Heavy(weight) Investment in Boxing's Future

    By Jake Donovan - Boxing on ESPN2 has already witnessed a considerable boost in viewer interest, thanks to the continued success of a pair of Boxcino tournaments showcasing the lightweight and middleweight divisions. Now its flagship network, ESPN is ready to try something a little different in its efforts to rally behind the sport.

    The new idea is actually an old one, which is to throw some shine on the heavyweight division. Once boxing’s glamour division, the heavyweights have devolved into the running joke of the sport for the better part of the 21st century.

    Still, when it came time for ESPN to showcase the sport on its main network, the old rule of thumb was brought to light – when there’s a good heavyweight fight to be made, you simply make it.

    With that in mind, the network – already airing the May 10 showdown between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola in primetime (8:00PM ET) live from the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, California – has decided to pick up the rights to this weekend’s lineal world championship between reigning heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko and challenger Alex Leapai. [Click Here To Read More]
  • bojangles1987
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    #2
    I'm just hoping Wlad doesn't stink the joint up and actually tries to be entertaining. He's certainly facing an opponent he should be able to fighting entertainingly against.

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    • jvsnypes
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      #3
      Since the death of Manny Steward, Wlad has not been the same fighter in my opinion. He's definitely not as aggressive. I question if he can still beat the likes of Stiverne, Wilder or Arreola. I think he is in decline, but there is no shame there because he has been so dominate in the last 10 years. I think Steward made him a much better and complete fighter.

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      • nycsmooth
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        #4
        they could have the $$ 2 air a bout that would have been competitive & interesting, not this crap...

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        • rey guey
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          #5
          the heavyweight divison is boring and will end up as a failure for espn. heavyweights of this era are lumbering giants, not tyson or holyfield.

          i think it would be better for them to invest in the lower weight classes. just check out segura vs marquez, that flyweight fight was more exciting than any heavyweight fight in the past decade.

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          • IMDAZED
            Fair but Firm
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            #6
            Really nice article. It's a big step for ESPN and I'm excited about the potential exposure.

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            • MrRolltide91
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              #7
              good exposure

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              • The Big Dunn
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                #8
                Originally posted by IMDAZED
                Really nice article. It's a big step for ESPN and I'm excited about the potential exposure.
                Same here. lets just hope wlad fights in a way that makes fans want to turn in. He has everything set up for him to look great. No more Haye or povetkin crap, **** performances.

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                • SUBZER0ED
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                  #9
                  It's interesting that a notable network like ESPN is picking up these HW fights. I was just thinking yesterday, about how it would be a bummer to not at least have the opportunity to watch Klitschko's upcoming fight. With Stiverne and Arreola now in the mix, and neither Showtime nor HBO purchasing the rights, we may well have missed these fights if ESPN hadn't made a move. Now it's up to these heavy weight boxers to step up and prove that there is yet life in the division.

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                  • boxing maniac
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                    #10
                    Espn will be having some good fight in the upcomng weeks and the boxers are getting great exposure considering that more people watch ESPN than HBO or Showtime boxing cuz not every cable or DirectTV. Subscriber has HBO Or Showtime

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