What is the reason behind no great fights on basic cable

[SlySlickSmooth]

Is it because networks like ESPN can't/won't throw the money down to host great fighters? Fighters anywhere from the likes of Leo Santa Cruz(entertaining, yet not highly known) to Miguel Cotto(entertaining, and known).

What exactly blocks the sport of boxing from showcasing great fights on basic cable? I am sure its almost all financial reasons, but what exactly? Fighters purses? Air time?

I would think the landscape of boxing would change drastically if say we only had 3-6 PPVs a year with all the great fights on basic cable or even a GLOBAL type of BoxNation where the subscribers money can even help fund the sport.

[The Ninth Layer]

Advertisers. Your TV space is worth a certain amount of $$. That $$ depends on how many people are watching at that given time. If the $$ doesn't justify the budget of your show, then it isn't worth airing.

Can ESPN afford to pay fighters million-dollar purses in speculation as to how their fight will do in ratings? Probably not.

[jas]

america having boxnation would be epic....

[-PBP-]

Advertisers. What if you buy a slot in between an 8th round commercial break during the main event but the fight ends in 4?

Then your commercial will be shown during a fill in fight. That's one major reason.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

It's all money...

Since boxing moved to PPv and premium channels, there is more money to be made there than on regular tv...

Plus boxing has had nothing but black eyes for the past 30 years, and the politics, protective matchmaking, mismatches, have driven the casual fans away. So regular TV isn't interested